A bold violent thriller with raw and bloody. An unceasingly intense performance by Vasanth Ravi. Bharathiraja equated the protagonist with his role. Director Arun made it engage with his narration style. Excellent Visuals by Shreyaas Krisha, his lighting, compositions and sound design added more depth to the film. A treat for cinephiles.
27 Reviews
Ballsy & Hardboiled: A Thinking Man's Gangster Drama..!!
samxxxul23 December 2021
In majority of action film tradition, gangster drama have been a go-to idea for many filmmakers. The larger falls for sensationalism made digestible only for the entertainment factor and dedicated to praising the hero. Directors like Arun Matheswaran is the opposite of the former and he picks a familiar theme part of the gangster troupe, moves away a bit from the cliché of this type of genre and presents it with high artistic vision.
This film is like a novel that studies the Sisyphean persistence, the psyche of the character that seeks its extremes and tests its endurance. The film has a simple story but it is executed with arthouse stamps all over combining long silences, wide and static shots. Rocky is divided into numerically studied philosophical chapters with accompanying titles for respective segments, featuring a prologue and an epilogue that has all the answer for Rocky's existence with an ambivalent desire to start over and make it up for his past deeds. When he is released from the prison after 17 years, he has no interest in the escalation of the revenge or return to violent gangsterism. Things take a bad turn when he winds up in a situation for the actions of his past, he is involved in altercation with his nemesis and comes to terms that the outside world is still as unforgiving and selfish as it was before. And as is well known in the gangster revenge drama, the film turns everything into its opposite as Rocky takes it upon himself to avenge the death of his sister. As tension rises sharply, there is no way out at all because the characters are surrounded by a longing for blood. Behind all this chaos, who is at fault or what is the motive? Everything is revealed as the screenplay acting as its own animal and blood washes the blood as the deadly duel, the eagle eye story comes in full circle.
Coming to the performances, we have Rocky (Vasanth Ravi) who is simply great, i was amazed at his tenacity and courage. He not only becomes Rocky, he gives him a life to live, even his hammer and watch has a key role in the film and all his nuances are really amazing. In a key scene, Rocky is level-headed, yet he exudes a subliminal aggression with his hammer as the TITLE card pops up. It was so cool, i immediately though of Ryusuke Hamaguchi's Drive My Car (2021) and Bi Gan's Long Day's Journey into Night (2018). Rocky's performance in the pre interval fight which works as a fitting tribute for Oldboy (2003) is absolute fun and the classical score left me with my mouth open (in awe).
Veteran Bharathiraja plays Manimaran, perfectly embodying a man with 'Manithan Enbavan Deivamagalam' song as his phone ringtone but radiates something dangerous throughout and imposes fear without needing the gangster rowdy troupes. A special mention for Dhanraj, who plays a nasty right-hand of Manimaran in a supporting role willing to crush the enemies and take them with him into the abyss (brownie points for the bulldozer and the saw). All the other actors are great, but the little girl, she does a brilliant job and her performance in the climax reveal accompanied by melancholic score standouts. Her performance in one of the best scenes during the pre climax portion when she encounters a presumed pedophile and in the real world is shot so brilliantly, it will send chills down your spine. Rocky's 7-months pregnant sister and her acting in the static shot must be mentioned separately, she displays so many emotions and even feels sorry for his brother's life (Like father, like son).
The film is dedicated to Park Chan-wook with a mix of Quentin Tarantino, S. Craig Zahler, Kim Seong-hun, Paul McGuigan, Gareth Evans, Seijun Suzuki, Luc Besson, Zhang Yimou, Karen Moncrieff, Takeshi Kitano, Shane Meadows, Fred Cavayé, Macon Blair, Ben Wheatley and Bong Joon-ho. For his directorial debut, Arun Matheswaran hits the mark on almost every level and it will have an lasting effect. I appreciate him for not comprising and invoking a tour-de-force quality acting from all the characters. The cinematography is intense, poetically staged and technically stunning. The editing, stunt choreography and sound design are exquisite and it adds to the uncanny atmosphere of the film.
To summarize, Rocky is definitely a breakthrough for Tamil indie scene and I'm sure this won't please everyone and it is definitely for the acquired taste. But this is the kind of movie that passionate cinephiles must support and SPREAD THE WORD..!!
This film is like a novel that studies the Sisyphean persistence, the psyche of the character that seeks its extremes and tests its endurance. The film has a simple story but it is executed with arthouse stamps all over combining long silences, wide and static shots. Rocky is divided into numerically studied philosophical chapters with accompanying titles for respective segments, featuring a prologue and an epilogue that has all the answer for Rocky's existence with an ambivalent desire to start over and make it up for his past deeds. When he is released from the prison after 17 years, he has no interest in the escalation of the revenge or return to violent gangsterism. Things take a bad turn when he winds up in a situation for the actions of his past, he is involved in altercation with his nemesis and comes to terms that the outside world is still as unforgiving and selfish as it was before. And as is well known in the gangster revenge drama, the film turns everything into its opposite as Rocky takes it upon himself to avenge the death of his sister. As tension rises sharply, there is no way out at all because the characters are surrounded by a longing for blood. Behind all this chaos, who is at fault or what is the motive? Everything is revealed as the screenplay acting as its own animal and blood washes the blood as the deadly duel, the eagle eye story comes in full circle.
Coming to the performances, we have Rocky (Vasanth Ravi) who is simply great, i was amazed at his tenacity and courage. He not only becomes Rocky, he gives him a life to live, even his hammer and watch has a key role in the film and all his nuances are really amazing. In a key scene, Rocky is level-headed, yet he exudes a subliminal aggression with his hammer as the TITLE card pops up. It was so cool, i immediately though of Ryusuke Hamaguchi's Drive My Car (2021) and Bi Gan's Long Day's Journey into Night (2018). Rocky's performance in the pre interval fight which works as a fitting tribute for Oldboy (2003) is absolute fun and the classical score left me with my mouth open (in awe).
Veteran Bharathiraja plays Manimaran, perfectly embodying a man with 'Manithan Enbavan Deivamagalam' song as his phone ringtone but radiates something dangerous throughout and imposes fear without needing the gangster rowdy troupes. A special mention for Dhanraj, who plays a nasty right-hand of Manimaran in a supporting role willing to crush the enemies and take them with him into the abyss (brownie points for the bulldozer and the saw). All the other actors are great, but the little girl, she does a brilliant job and her performance in the climax reveal accompanied by melancholic score standouts. Her performance in one of the best scenes during the pre climax portion when she encounters a presumed pedophile and in the real world is shot so brilliantly, it will send chills down your spine. Rocky's 7-months pregnant sister and her acting in the static shot must be mentioned separately, she displays so many emotions and even feels sorry for his brother's life (Like father, like son).
The film is dedicated to Park Chan-wook with a mix of Quentin Tarantino, S. Craig Zahler, Kim Seong-hun, Paul McGuigan, Gareth Evans, Seijun Suzuki, Luc Besson, Zhang Yimou, Karen Moncrieff, Takeshi Kitano, Shane Meadows, Fred Cavayé, Macon Blair, Ben Wheatley and Bong Joon-ho. For his directorial debut, Arun Matheswaran hits the mark on almost every level and it will have an lasting effect. I appreciate him for not comprising and invoking a tour-de-force quality acting from all the characters. The cinematography is intense, poetically staged and technically stunning. The editing, stunt choreography and sound design are exquisite and it adds to the uncanny atmosphere of the film.
To summarize, Rocky is definitely a breakthrough for Tamil indie scene and I'm sure this won't please everyone and it is definitely for the acquired taste. But this is the kind of movie that passionate cinephiles must support and SPREAD THE WORD..!!
Blood
vibhus-1778023 December 2021
Raw and rustic . After too many delays , finally movie released on big screens . This movie completely exceeded my expectations . What a debut from Arun Matheswaran . Films with strong violence and gore are rare in Kollywood cinema , this movie gave an another level experience . Story was quite simple , a asusual revenge and survival thriller story , but the way they narrated the story was intresting . Eventhough story traveled bit slow it wasn't boring . I think Vasanth Ravi has great future in Kollywood , his performance was topnotch in the movie . Bharathiraja as antagonist done great job . Other cast played their part very well . We should really appreciate technical team . Cinematography , music and editing were topnotch . Climax was just 🔥 . Overall a most watch movie . If you like bloody , violence and gore , then definitely don't miss it . It deserves to be watch it on big screen .
Best Film I have watched this year
srinivasansribal26 December 2021
This is a detailed view of "Rocky" directed by Arun Matheswaran. This movie created some expectations with its teasers, so I thought why not give it a try. The movie starts, I felt quite uneasy for the first 15 minutes the long walk sequence was so annoying the hero walks and walks and goes on, personally felt that sequence was a glitch in a fantastic game. Other than that particular sequence nowhere I was letdown throughout the movie. What a fantastic and astonishing movie the debutant had made. This might be the best debutant work one could ever have done. Through the first half, I thought why "Barathi Raja's" role was praised it could have been done by whoever the role has been offered to, there comes the start of the second half he literally nailed the scene. Rocky, Manimaran, Sami, Nataraj, Malli(Both) and Amutha and the "poo movie person" too, are the perfect ingredients of this movie. Need to say about "Darbuk's Siva" literally am a fan of his work from Kidari, his background score I felt apt for this one. It gave vigor to the movie. DOP did a neat job. Vasanth Ravi, what a man he already proved his worth in Taramani now this tells it's not a piece of one-time luck. Arun Matheswaran did great work, now expectations for his future movies gonna be bigger, and hope he delivers better. I came through one of a person's view on this film and I liked that one it says the plot is about "our valkaiyai thulaitha manithan thanku kidaitha oru nambikaiyai kapatri kolgirana" such an wonderful take on the movie. (Its a war between "A hopeless man trying to hinge through the hope he found and the persons who trying to shatter that hope")
Best film
annamalaikpm-1509821 April 2022
Rocky is a great movie....,i give a 10 star because of this year dont have a good movies...,otherwise i will give 8 star..,but this is raw vengeance movie have a great screenplay..,arun matheswaran will be definitely historical director ..., definitely worth it.
Wow! Caught me out of the blue!!
josephsajin20 July 2023
This film takes a different approach to cliche revenge stories. The making especially is the wow factor on this one. The director and crew have managed to pull something out of the ordinary boring revenge stories we have been seeing since forever and turned it in to something wow altogether. The narration, background scores, cinematography and the cast have definitely put in their best work yet on this one. We don't get to see awesome dramatic moments like the mainstream movies , but we will definitely never forget this one after watching. The story telling is pretty natural and engaging in a way that the audience would watch the whole film with their eyes glued on to the screen pretty much. The film shows us the beauty of wide angle frames to the fullest , one of the few films in recent Tamil cinema, to make use of wide angle shots in a way that it adds lot of perspective in an engaging manner. Would totally suggest this movie to anyone who thinks cinema is a one man job may it be the actor or the director , cause this will prove you otherwise!!!
Slow burning... serious,violent,cruel,raw,bloody..
udayshetty-8780020 April 2022
If you really like ,crime genre movies go for it..
Note: if you watch for entertainment purpose,definitely ,it's not for you.........................................................................................................................................
8/10
Recommended..
Definitely worth watching..
Arun Matheswaran makes a solid directorial debut! [+70%]
arungeorge1320 April 2022
Arun Matheswaran bolsters a barebones plot with scintillating visuals in a bloodthirsty film where Korean neo-noir revenge drama meets Tamil context and sensibilities. It feels like the film is set in a universe of its own, where the lives of only these characters matter. Darbuka Siva's score punctuates the crackling set-pieces and the emotional drama in between. There's not so much a plot to begin with - it just serves the purpose of bringing us to specific points where Vasanth Ravi has to beat down dozens of thugs or stylishly pull off a bullet-fest. While I admire the director's sense of craft, I'd also like to see him put flesh on the bones when it comes to the writing. Worth a watch, nonetheless!
BLOODBATH
ahamedmn20 April 2022
Rocky is a movie which tamil cinema never forget. Arun Matheswaran's direction was raw and intense. Vasanth ravi's lifetime performance and stunning cinematography with superb songs and background score made this movie a cult classic. Hard hitting fighting sequences and its a pure R rated movie.
Visually artistic piece of cinema
akellashashank20 April 2022
Would call this revenge action drama "a Visually artistic piece of cinema". Every frame is carved in such a way that, it shows their love, passion and hunger towards cinema. Arun chose similar revenge gangster drama which has already been used several times in different industries, however his visual storytelling sense worked for me. He narrates story at his own pace and slowly gets us drenched in his aesthetic action world. There are plethora of shots in the movie, where I uttered " Wow " for its visual and camerawork brilliance.
Even though , you feel that movie is slipping a bit in the middle , it still gets us back with its aesthetically immersive violence blocks. Bharathiraja and ravi put up an impressive yet effective act. One particular action block reminded me of Oldboy(2003). Top tier Cinematography, solid framing, Arun's visually aesthetic narration, action choreography and performances makes this one a good watch. The color transition is beautiful. Visually Great! I would give this 7.5/10.
Even though , you feel that movie is slipping a bit in the middle , it still gets us back with its aesthetically immersive violence blocks. Bharathiraja and ravi put up an impressive yet effective act. One particular action block reminded me of Oldboy(2003). Top tier Cinematography, solid framing, Arun's visually aesthetic narration, action choreography and performances makes this one a good watch. The color transition is beautiful. Visually Great! I would give this 7.5/10.
Tamil industry : This is how it's done
wwwajilay8 May 2022
Frist of any other things great direction mades along with great frames , great casting , great screen play. Although it's average and same story but what makes it a must see movie is the way it presented and the casting who made exactly like characters.
Bit disappointed
m-ramanan17 May 2022
RATED 7/10
Language: Tamil
After watching Saani Kaayitham watched this one. The making is same, but little bit more artistic and less violent. The violence and dialogs might be censored because of theatrical release.
Too much of drama and lengthy dialogs killed the patience in most of the scenes. Story is very simple, the making is classy. But the slow narration spoiled the revenge in the end.
The Kaithi style climax also not matching... Finally i got disappointed, still one time watchable.
After watching Saani Kaayitham watched this one. The making is same, but little bit more artistic and less violent. The violence and dialogs might be censored because of theatrical release.
Too much of drama and lengthy dialogs killed the patience in most of the scenes. Story is very simple, the making is classy. But the slow narration spoiled the revenge in the end.
The Kaithi style climax also not matching... Finally i got disappointed, still one time watchable.
Jeez stop calling this a 'Cult' movie!
gooeymuck18 September 2022
I have seen both the movies of this director.. Apparently his style is more of "artistic way"(not though) rather than the actual way of storytelling with interesting and gripping screenplay. Unnecessary long shots and painful lengths that could have been easily trimmed and yet it would have been an "artistic" movie. There's nothing new in storyline. Only Bharathi Raja sir's performance was applaudable. DOP is great. Action or so called revenge/bloody scenes were neither good nor bad. Kinda of an amateur attempt to pull off a Cult movie, but sadly it's literally watching paint dry for 2Hrs. Meh! Awful.
Wes Anderson influence
xreungvq30 April 2022
Violence at its best!!
sriramthestranger23 January 2022
The plot is a simple revenge story. However, what stands out is the visual presentation. For the majority of the film, it seems like the characters are minuscule in this whole world. The director did not get into the depth of backstory of the revenge saga. The background score is apt to the scenes and the single shots and action sequences are realistic. Do watch if you like realistic cinema experience!!
What a story
prabhak-2483318 May 2022
I've seen so much revenge story, this movie is something different form others and the grey shade was great. Bharathi Raja sir good performance.
Loved it completely, I was very late to watch this movie 🎥.
Climax Eagle twist semaa.
Loved it completely, I was very late to watch this movie 🎥.
Climax Eagle twist semaa.
The Reality of Violence Drama
cescmahes29 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Cinematography at some frames could be done better but that's maybe up to director taught and vision. The first fight between Rocky and dhanraja. I love the view like 3 phase of building; Nice to watch at the moment of the fight. Am not going to tell about the actors acting, as we all know the legend Bharathiraja Sir. We know his legacy to cinema as a director and also an actor. Vasanth Ravi always a guy who fullfill a director aim. Tamil cinema need this kind of actor. He's made for 100% natural acting and i like the way he chooses script as he adapt to it. Tamil cinema should applause him. We need more movies from him. As an audinece the way the screenplay executed so good. Plot was understand with the black & white frames which reflexes our past. Special mention the actor who plays the charater of Dhanraj. Kudos to Arun Matheswaran. Beacuse choosing a violence drama isn't for everyone as debut director, only some can do it and rocking it. Arun you did a violence that which is so reality. This movie at least we all could relate for ourselves. Especiall the "dharmam scene-Rocky explains to his sister". Dialogues and screenplay you Nailed it Man. I love it.
7.5/10 - Intense revenge drama
naveenmuktevi-7708831 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is so intense and people who love gore in movies are in for a treat. The only thing missing in this movie is realism. Police don't involve no matter how many murders and killings are happening all over, hero taking on 20 people at a time with bare hands but cannot tackle 3 people who killed his sister in front of his eyes, none of the don's goons or the don himself doesn't have a pistol/ gun for protection, A machine gun is conveniently placed in the plot to help the hero escape a possible life-death situation.
No matter how artistic this movie is, the above commercial elements kinda ruined the experience for me.
No matter how artistic this movie is, the above commercial elements kinda ruined the experience for me.
Glorious arthouse violence
Jithindurden11 January 2024
It's a shame that the only way print available right now for this is heavily censored. The glorious arthouse violence is too cut up. But even with so many abrupt cuts, it is still an ultraviolent introspection of violence that is inherent in us. Also feels like there's more inner meaning that is related to the Tamil struggle in Sri Lanka that I may not have understood completely. But this director has made such a beautiful film with a small budget, I'm excited to watch his other films. Got to check out Saani Kaayidham and also Captain Miller from the theater this weekend. Hope they will release the uncut version some day.
The true "BEAST"....
PANDIAN12062122 April 2022
Being debutant Arun has shown some maturity in the art of film making with major support by shreyas Krishna's magical cinematography,it's a milestone for vasanth ravi & raveena ravi ...with solid narration and taritino styled making this director is a new found talent...just watch and rejoice.
This is a gem, but not for all
gopikrishnancs1 December 2022
Is there a story - yes,
Is the movie good - yes,
Is the movie shot good - yes,
Is it a cinematic experience to watch in theatre - yes
Should you watch it in your lifetime - yes
Don't miss the show if you are - ratham therikka therikka oru padam pakanum lover
The black and white is a steal of the show, damn it was cinematic, happy to see the kind of film in Kollywood.
BARATHIRAJA is the man who is brought into our filmic experience by the man ARUN MATHESHWARAN
Damn i saw the kalaiarasi poster of M. G. R film and i can't wait to watch more works from him
This director is going to bring a new era to our Indian film industry.
The perfect ending - KAZHUGU.
Don't miss the show if you are - ratham therikka therikka oru padam pakanum lover
The black and white is a steal of the show, damn it was cinematic, happy to see the kind of film in Kollywood.
BARATHIRAJA is the man who is brought into our filmic experience by the man ARUN MATHESHWARAN
Damn i saw the kalaiarasi poster of M. G. R film and i can't wait to watch more works from him
This director is going to bring a new era to our Indian film industry.
The perfect ending - KAZHUGU.
Good Revenge movie ..!
kamalbeeee6 May 2022
A guy seeks revenge for killed his mother...but he faced lot of sequences for that and finally he try to save his sister's kid...
This movie has more brutalism and director tries to tell some scenes like poetic..
All are acted well...
Climax twist was unexpected..
Must watch movie..
Nice photography 📸...!
Too hyped movie
idolaarush23 December 2021
A perfect masterclass
llokesh-929341 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Wonderful cinematography, Astonished with the background music. Really impressed with the single take shot that describes a 2 decade's politics in a walk. First 15 minutes was little bit draggy but rest is a masterclass. No commercial elements. The way the director has linked the quotes shown with the characters in the movie was good. Bharathiraja sir's acting especially the scene in which he frightens his son is fabulous. Entire crew did a amazing job.
Stunned....😇
rahulcherkara31 July 2022
I've stunned by watching this movie....
Wat a film..no words...felt like watching JOHN WICK in tamil.......
Nothing in the film ..but its full of violence..blood......that's it.....
But if u r a movie lover..u will never dissappointed a sec.........ROCKY......👊
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