Inconsistency marks the manner in the etching of the film’s screenplay and narrative style. So while the early part is an insipid scenario with almost nothing working out, the latter half, particularly towards the closing moments, is thrilling and well crafted.
The plot centres around a group of friends who come to Chennai to get away from an unpleasant situation back home. They had been advised by their families to lie low till matters cooled down. It’s about how they get entangled in the affairs of a ruthless gangster, Bhaskar, and try to extricate themselves from a dangerous situation.
The film begins with a man on a bike being shot down by cops. Then it takes the viewer back to the events that preceded this, where we meet Hari and his friends Saravanan, Venkat and Ram, who visit Chennai to stay with Das (Annachi). This is where the film begins to meander aimlessly.
The lead cast are freshers, and it shows! The romance between Hari (Rakshan) and Meena (Kethy) is lacklustre and unconvincing. The innumerable songs doesn’t make it any better either. That’s why it’s the more experienced Imman Annachi and Senrayan as Ram, who have a field day. The duo even go overboard in their enthusiasm to add pep to the proceedings. For instance, the scene where Saravanan (Selvam), disappears from the roomwill have you in splits.
Interesting in parts, Thiruttu Rail would have made for a great action-thriller, if the script and narrative had been consistent.