Pattampoochi movie review: This cat-and-mouse thriller, starring Sundar C and Jai, offers some riveting moments

The okayish first half is rescued by the gripping latter half keeping the audience hooked,

Jai and Sundar C

Pattampoochi

Story: A police officer is assigned the duty of nabbing a serial killer who is on the loose. But he gets to know that the psychopath behind the murders is already in jail for another killing, awaiting capital punishment. However, he lacks evidence to prove that the same person has carried out all the homicides. He sets out to prove the same with the help of a journalist. But little did they expect that the killer was planning something big. Will they be able to produce evidences behind all the murders? 

Review: Badri's Pattampoochi begins with journalist Vijayalakshmi aka Viji (Honey Rose) meeting Sudhakar (Jai), a criminal in prison after the latter requests her to meet him to listen to his story. Sudhakar, who is awaiting capital punishment for the brutal killing of a person, tries to explain his innocence and says he has nothing to do with the crime.

When Viji expresses her inability to trust him, Sudhakar reveals that he has committed seven murders without leaving any clue behind. He requests her to publish articles about his murders in the newspaper and promises to provide more details on the murders he has executed.

Meanwhile, Kumaran (Sundar C), a police officer who is on leave, has been assigned the case of the seven spine-chilling murders without knowing that Sudhakar has committed all of them. Kumaran, who is close to Viji, collects basic details on Sudhakar's confession from her.

But the cop gets the shock of his life when he realizes that Sudhakar is planning to prove his innocence in the court. Can he stop the cold-blooded criminal from doing it? 

The plot appears interesting on paper, and there are a few gripping moments as well, thanks to decent writing from the director. The cat-and-mouse sequences between the cop and the psychopath, though offer nothing new in terms of experience, it keeps us engaging because of the performances from Sundar C and Jai.

This is the first time Jai has played an antagonist, and he looks menacing in many scenes. His cunningness, merciless expressions and unassuming body language is one of the highlights of the cop thriller which makes us sit through till the end. The director doesn't indulge in any compromises when it comes to making Jai's character brutal like never before. Some of the scenes featuring him are unabashedly gory, to say the least. 

Though the movie's first half is okayish with no wow factor present in crucial scenes, the latter half offers some surprises due to a few smartly written sequences. The backstory of the protagonist and its connection with the present time is interestingly presented, making the audience feel for him.

Sundar C effortlessly pulls off another cop role which goes through several relatable struggles. Honey Rose is apt in the character of a journalist who plays a vital role in the story. Imman Annachi is another actor who makes his presence felt in the film.

Krishnasamy's visuals are adequate and Navneeth Sundar's background score complements a few edge-of-the-seat moments in the latter half. However, the over-the-top stunt sequences are a big let down. The predictability of the story and constant spoon-feeding in some sequences spoil the narrative flow.

The story is set in the late 80s, but we are hardly transported to that time period. The makers seem to have shown little interest in establishing it. The movie could have done wonders with a more solid screenplay packed with novel ideas and gripping execution. 

Verdict: Pattampoochi has some interesting ideas, but the director has reserved them for the latter half. The performances of the lead actors and a few conflicts save the film from being a lacklustre thriller.      

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Cast and Crew

Sundar C

Badri

Jai

Imman Annachi

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