It is not surprising to see good humour and the good plot does not get along in films. Sure, there are a handful of films that stun the audience by bringing about a brilliant balance between those two. But overall, you can't expect those two elements to match in an out and out comic film. Sivakarthikeyan and Nayanthara's romcom, Mr Local, also fails to bring forth a plot that would blow our minds. But at least they got their humour quotient done right!

Directed by Rajesh M, Mr Local starts with Manohar (played by Sivakarthikeyan) beating the French cops and criminals in a football match by scoring a goal. Because the makers need to show that he is passionate about football. Later in the movie, just like spunk in the plot, even the element of football goes missing. Manohar receives his bail and on his way out, decides to tell French police, who don't have a French accent but cannot understand Manohar because his English is too fast for the police to comprehend. All I can think of at this moment is the emoji of a face with the hands up in the air as a sign of 'what on earth!'. Anyway, so Manohar starts telling the police about his love story and how he landed in the French prison.

Mr Local teaser

Manohar and Keerthana Vasudevan's (played by Nayanthara) paths cross in Chennai when she rams his bike and refuses to apologise for the same. What starts as a story between a snobbish hotshot and a 'local boy' as he would be liked to call, is the rest of Mr Local. I don't wish to delve into details of how he woos her and how they fall in love because it all tumbles down to that one moment where some sense is imbibed on either cast in a romcom. It is a predictable plot so people don't need to use their brains. In fact, I'd suggest they don't put a lot of thought into watching this film. Not because it lacks a good story but that the laughter keeps everyone hooked!

The writing of the film is quite lazy if you ask me. The conflict will actually remind you of all the previous films like VIP 2 where initially the strong level-headed women can't take crap from low-lives but eventually come around. Because hey, a local boy can charm you with his quick wit and humour. Also, his speeches about being a middle class without a tearjerker background make it bearable. Anyway, what makes Mr Local good is purely the amazing comic timing. Sure, you would know where the film is going the minute you start watching it. But at least, the humour thanks to Sivakarthikeyan, Yogi Babu, Sathish and even Radhika Saratkumar!

Oh speaking of which, she is a treat to watch as a doting mother to Manohar. Her innocent humour is just too cute to watch! It is surprising to watch Nayanthara, who has been doing some impeccable movies with a strong role, to take one where a man continues to put her down. The transition from her turning from pure egoistic to suddenly sweet and loving is a little bit shocking. Not to mention how Manohar and Keerthana are quite horrible to each other. But hey, love triumphs over all and sometimes all it takes is a third person to make you realise what you're missing. In their case, they got Narayan Lucky to be the third guy. He did his part well but that part was the weirdest segment in the whole film. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.

The music is not that great and it's quite tiring to sit through the songs where Sivakarthikeyan tries his level best to dance like Vijay while all Nayanthara does is walks away (just like how she did in Hasili Fisli with the only difference being, Surya made her dance!).

Yays

- Humour

- Performances

- Sivakarthikeyan and Nayanthara's constant banter

- Sivakarthikeyan's relationship with his supporting cast

Nays

- Predictable plot

- Weird angles with lack of lustre

- Drab music

- A story that Nayanthara shouldn't choose (especially after carving a niche for herself)

- Illogical scenes that make you go "whaaaaa"

Final Word

Mr Local is an entertainer masala. Though it boasts to be an action comedy, the action aspect is as minuscule as Nayanthara and Sivakarthikeyan's chemistry in the film! Watch it for the laughs but keep your expectations really low!

Rating:2.5out of 5

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 17, 2019 04:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).