Prince Review: Anudeep & Sivakarthikeyan Create A Cute Little Town On Screen

The fictional town that Anudeep has created in his universe is funny and light-hearted. The people are simple and naive, and nobody really takes anything seriously. In short, Anudeep gives us exactly what we were expecting him to.

Prince follows the footsteps of Sivakarthikeyan's successful projects, where the focus is not on what is happening, but on how people react to the situations they are in. Anudeep, coincidentally, is also someone who believes in character-driven comedy adventures. This is a combination that was meant to happen, and I'm happy it did.

There was a shot shown in the trailer where a journalist asks a villager, "Is this the first time, something like this is happening here, or have similar things happened before?" The villager responds "This sort of things have happened many times before, but this is the first time."

Here is a sample from the film that was not part of the trailer. In a scene where Anbu, Sivakarthikeyan's character, tries to connect emotionally with his father, he says this. "Dad, do you remember? When I was young and I won a prize in a competition, people asked me who is your father. And I told them your name."

I find these very funny, and I generally find Anudeep's sense of humour quite hilarious, especially because these jokes spring up surprisingly. He doesn't throw them around all the time. You mostly won't see them coming. If you like this kind of humor, Prince will definitely make your day.

Story & Performances

Prince follows the love story of a teacher who falls in love with his colleague who is a Britisher. The film is set in a fictional town in the Cuddalore district. The love life of this couple becomes a matter of discussion and it leads to an interesting plot. The film has a breezy pace and a celebratory vibe. It manages to convey some meaning and leaves an impact without trying hard to do that.

To complicate things for the couple, their fathers each have painful memories that developed a hatred inside them against each other's nations. And Premgi Amaren's character encourages and exploits this hatred for his personal gains.

Although the plot sounds quite serious, the film is intentionally so silly that you will find yourself lost in laughter.

Sivakarthikeyan is in his element and he pulls the role off effortlessly. Maria, Sathrayaj, and Premgi Amaren perform their roles sufficiently well. Since the genre demands a slapstick performance from the cast members, it's hard to judge their performances in detail.

Thaman's music although not very memorable, manages to spike up the energy in the theatres.

Strengths & Weaknesses

The film's primary strength is Anudeep's sense of humour. While it may not impress everyone, for those who find him funny, this film has a lot to offer, especially in the second half of the film.

Many movies start off great, but get lost in their way, and have an average ending. However, situational comedies peak at climax, and leave the audience extremely satisfied. Prince belongs comfortably in the category.

While the silliness brings laughter, there are moments where the film tries to induce some drama, and those moments become dull. Its as if the script is wondering whether to make a joke out of this dramatic situation or let it pass. These moments are a weak link the film.

Verdict

If you like silly humour this will be the best comedy you will watch this year. If you liked Jathi Rathnalu you should not miss out on this gem.