With an ensemble cast and crew from India and Hollywood, ‘Achchamundu…’ is a psychological thriller, the plot set and shot entirely in the US. It has the distinction of being the first Indian feature film to be shot on Red One camera, and has participated in some international film fests before its release here.
Paedophilia is rather a bold and unusual theme for the Tamil screen. And the US based debutant director -writer-co-producer Arun Vaidyanathan has combined aesthetic, neat, sensible story-telling with stylised takes. Beautifully photographed, a thread of realism runs throughout, and the director should be commended from having stayed away from sensationalizing the issue, or delving into the squeakier side of it. Both Prasanna and Sneha (looking lovely here), with their easy comfort on screen, lend conviction to the roles of a happily married couple, with their little daughter (Akshaya). The threesome cut a cosy picture with the scenes of marital life, their little tiffs and making up, all having a natural flow. The lines are crisp. The NRI lifestyle is also captured in a realistic way.
The plot takes a turn with the entry of Robertson (Hollywood actor John Shea of Missing), a man they had hired on the recommendation of a friend to paint their house. Quiet and well mannered, he soon evokes trust in the family. But they would soon find out the repercussions of it. The audience in the know before, about the man and his modus operandi, wait for the horror to set in. Suitably titled, it’s just about two hours duration. The scenes of interaction of Robertson with his little victims, both before and after he targets them, is kept at a suggestive level, sans any scenes that could have disturbed vulnerable minds. Its a tad slow paced though, and does give a flat feel. Like one was watching a docu-drama unfold. There are some ominous but distracting shots like the snake on the tree, and the loud clanging of the garage door. The final confrontation between the family and Robertson, could have been handled in a better way too.
As the final reel rolls, appears some startling statistics of child molesting cases in India and abroad. And the shocking fact that the culprits are mainly those known to the family, and had earned their trust, and confidence. ‘Achchamundu…’ rings a warning bell to those parents and elders, complacent in their cosy comfort and routine, unaware of the danger to their children, lurking nearer than they would have imagined.
expresso@epmltd.com