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Jigarthanda Double X Movie Review: A Blaze Of Political Drama & Fiery Performances

Name: Jigarthanda Double X
Item: Jigarthanda Double X
Rating: 3
Author: Hari P N

Jigarthanda Double X emerges as Subbaraj's bold and stirring creation, standing as the Double X rendition of Jigarthanda

Hari P N

- December 31, 2023 | 6:34 PM IST

Jigarthanda Double X Movie Review Rating:

Star Cast: Raghava Lawrence, S. J. Suryah, Nimisha Sajayan, Nimisha Sajayan, Naveen Chandra, Sathyan, Shine Tom Chacko

Director: Karthik Subbaraj

Writer: Karthik Subbaraj

Review of Jigarthanda Double X: A Blaze of Political Drama and Fiery Performances(Photo Credit –IMDb)

What’s Good: The film is an authentic ‘Pandya Western’ with aesthetics, an engaging protagonist’s journey, and an enigmatic narrative core. Suryah and Lawrence deliver spectacular performances, navigating moral quandaries and evoking empathy. Karthik’s trademark layers assure sustained engagement, with nods to Tamil cinema adding an enigmatic touch.

What’s Bad: The initial 30 minutes exhibit storytelling impatience. Specific sequences, like unnecessary melodrama, disrupt the flow. CGI, especially in rendering elephants, lacks an organic feel. The second half’s abundance of messages can be overwhelming, and some scenes, like the tribal wedding, seem disconnected.

Loo Break: There is a film recording scene at the 49-minute mark. Consider taking a break, but be aware of a fight sequence after this scene. If you don’t want to miss it, return as soon as possible.

Watch or Not?: Worth watching for its unique narrative, exceptional performances, and political commentary. Despite flaws, it stands as Subbaraj’s bold and stirring creation, reaching unprecedented heights.

Language: Tamil

Dubbed Languages: Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam

Available On: Netflix and Sun NXT

Runtime: 2h 52m

User Rating:

Karthik Subbaraj’s “Jigarthanda Double X” ventures into the realm of a political masala western, unfolding a narrative where politician Jeyakodi faces off against rival Karmegam. The story intricately weaves dual worlds, combining the streets of Madurai with the lush Kombai Sambala forests, set in 1973. An evil police officer, Rathnakumar, navigates political machinations, deploying undercover criminals to eliminate critical figures. The film’s brilliance lies in depicting the protagonists’ self-discovery amid unexpected twists.

Jigarthanda Double X Movie Review: Script Analysis

Karthik Subbaraj’s script for “Jigarthanda Double X” showcases his adeptness at crafting a politically charged narrative with a distinctive blend of genres. The film seamlessly integrates character arcs and a captivating political commentary, revealing the director’s nuanced storytelling style. The initial 30 minutes, while exhibiting a hint of impatience in introducing lead characters, establishes the groundwork for a dense and layered narrative. Subbaraj’s trademark layers become evident as the plot unfolds, with a fusion of humor into severe scenes and numerous nods to Tamil cinema, creating an engaging tapestry. The script delves into the dual worlds of Madurai’s streets and the Kombai Sambala forests, weaving together two divergent realms to unveil a sprawling narrative.

Infusing real-life incidents into the fictional narrative adds depth, and the symmetrical frames skillfully divide elements like a gun from a camera, contributing to the film’s palpable fusion of reality and fiction. Despite a few hiccups, such as an abrupt wedding and moments of unnecessary melodrama, the script maintains sustained engagement. The characters, particularly Kirubai and Caesar, embark on journeys of self-discovery, adding layers to the narrative. Overall, Subbaraj’s writing for “Jigarthanda Double X” stands out as a bold and ambitious endeavor, solidifying his reputation as a master storyteller.

Jigarthanda Double X Movie Review: Star Performance

“Jigarthanda Double X” boasts stellar performances, with SJ Suryah and Raghava Lawrence delivering standout portrayals that breathe life into their characters. Suryah, in the role of Ray Sir, navigates the moral quandaries of his character with finesse, portraying the complexities of witnessing two facets of the same individual. His commanding acting prowess radiates, seizing the audience’s attention and empathy. Raghava Lawrence, embodying the formidable gangster Caesar, delivers a spellbinding performance, portraying the gun-slinging, merciless character with unwavering conviction. Despite Caesar’s ruthless exterior, Lawrence manages to evoke genuine empathy for the true essence of the character, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

The fiery on-screen chemistry between Suryah and Lawrence blazes through, infusing the film with depth and propelling their performances to unforgettable heights. Naveen Chandra’s portrayal of Rathnakumar, an immoral police officer, ignites the screen with a depiction dripping in disdain, evoking genuine reactions from the audience. While the ensemble cast plays a pivotal role in the film’s success, it’s the scorching brilliance of Suryah and Lawrence that sets the screen ablaze, stealing the spotlight with performances so nuanced and captivating that “Jigarthanda Double X” becomes a blazing testament to their acting prowess.

Jigarthanda Double X Movie Review: Direction, Music

Karthik Subbaraj’s direction in “Jigarthanda Double X” is a masterful orchestration of dual worlds and complex narratives. Subbaraj seamlessly transitions between the vibrant streets of Madurai and the lush Kombai Sambala forests, creating a visual tapestry that enhances the film’s immersive quality. His ability to infuse humor into serious scenes, a trademark of his style, adds layers to the storytelling, and the numerous nods to Tamil cinema contribute to the film’s enigmatic charm. Despite an initial storytelling impatience and a few hiccups in pacing, Subbaraj’s brilliance shines through in depicting the myriad dualities of the two protagonists navigating between distinct realms.

Santhosh Narayanan’s music and background score are crucial in elevating the cinematic experience. Despite some CGI issues in rendering elements like elephants, Narayanan’s exceptional score rescues certain moments, making flaws more forgivable. Narayanan’s musical prowess heightened the impactful interval block and compelling pre-climax segments, adding emotional depth to crucial scenes. The collaboration between Subbaraj and Narayanan in “Jigarthanda Double X” showcases a synergy that enhances the film’s narrative, making it a memorable audio-visual experience.

Jigarthanda Double X Movie Review: The Last Word

Jigarthanda Double X emerges as Subbaraj’s bold and stirring creation, standing as the Double X rendition of Jigarthanda. While not without flaws, it captivates with its unique narrative, stellar performances, and political commentary, solidifying Subbaraj’s status as a master storyteller.