Sometimes it is impossible not to adore Indian film. Thunivu is a bank heist picture in the language of Tamil. But this is India. “Bank heist” just isn’t gonna cut it. It needs to be a cool bank heist … like where the bank robbers spend a whole lot of prep time all for not because they find that when they get there, somebody else is taking over their robbery. But, of course, that’s not enough. There also has to be a police double-cross … and a bank CEO double-cross. But that won’t do it, either. There also has to be a social justice angle … oh, and a flashback or two for character reference data.
But that won’t satisfy everyone, now will it? After all that, heist, chase, shoot-out, double-cross, triple-cross, social justice, a live interview where the evil execs admit to scamming the public and making the heist necessary, why you still need a dance number or two, right? Because a bank heist just isn’t any fun without some singin’ and dancin’, amIright?
I’m guessing this isn’t a biography.
“Your Bank” – seriously, the bank’s name is “YOUR BANK.” It says so right on the marquee — in English. “Your Bank” of Chennai is the target. We get ten minutes of subterfuge as some fool gang plots to rob it. Oh, and this is a pretty cool heist – costumes, timers, mis-directions, all plotted out nice and neat … that is until dudes arrive and shoot the place up only to find one dude in the backroom won’t budge. And he looks like the Indian version of action hero Santa Claus.
The mysterious “Michael Jackson” (I think that’s a false name) has shown up ahead of time to thwart the robbery. This “Smooth Criminal” can moonwalk through the cloaked and armed thugs and trounce every one. He doesn’t care if they’re black or white. If you wanna be starting something, he’s gonna end it and he won’t stop til he gets enough. It’s just human nature; they’re all gonna beat it before he’s done.
Have you had enough? This thriller won’t be done until all the cops have been abused as well.
Anyhoo, “Michael” (Ajith Kumar) is the kind of protagonist who knows everything It’s a little embarrassing when you think about it. He knows all about the bank. He knows all about 
the CEO. He knows all about the underlings. He knows all about the cops. He knows all about the robbers. You get the feeling that whatever happens he has chosen to make happen – even when he’s caught. I suppose we could find a character like this annoying. I did not, which is good because Indian Santa is in a lot of this film.
Thunivu –I have no idea what the correct pronunciation of this title is, nor what it means (TBH, every time I see it in print, I hear ABBA sing “Voulez-Vous”) — would make a decent action film on its own or decent double-cross film on its own or a decent heist picture on its own. All three together and this could be a special film. I found, however, that the story got bogged down in the social justice angle. I’ve only seen a few dozen Indian films total and I’ve already seen the heavy-handed social justice storyline too many times to count. One can only guess how tired Indian film fans are of seeing such. Look guys, I’m with you in spirit; I wish to see social and economic equality for all, but does this have to take all of Act III? Anyway, even allowing for some torture and some overly pointed statements and a 146 minute runtime, this still a fun watch.
The spry Indian Santa Claus
Made robbing a bank his cause
On Dasher and Dancer
Give me all the cash, sir
Does this country have FDIC laws?
Not Rated, 146 Minutes
Director: H. Vinoth
Writer: H. Vinoth
Genre: The one where the guy who robs the bank also sings and dances
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Movie lovers
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: What could you possibly have against Indian Santa, the bank robber?
