Por Thozhil review: Sarath Kumar, Ashok Selvan impress in this taut thriller which has engaging moments

3.5/5

Story: Two Chennai-based cops, a veteran and a novice, set out to find a serial killer in Trichy. Their investigation leads to shocking revelations, but little did they know that the evidence they have gathered isn't enough. The duo also realizes that the suspicious person who they have been following for a while isn't the real culprit they are looking for. How are they going to crack the sensational case? 

Review: Vignesh Raja's Por Thozhil begins as a crime drama like several other whodunits which we have come across in several languages in recent years. The cops in Trichy are shocked over the gruesome murder of a woman, and they lose sleep after many such crimes are reported. The department ropes in Lokanathan (Sarath Kumar) and Prakash (Ashok Selvan) from Chennai to handle the case. The former is a veteran and short tempered while the latter, a new rookie, is emotionally fragile. Though they do not gel well initially, they realize each other's strengths during the journey. 

After the premise is predictably, but interestingly set, we're introduced to an intriguing character after the duo finds that the killings are connected to similar cases that were reported a few decades ago. They almost crack the case after their prime suspect's actions are traced and believe that it's just a matter of time before they catch him red-handed. However, they become dejected after knowing that the person they're after is someone else. With just one clue in their hands, will they be able to nab the real killer? 

The film has a tightly-woven screenplay that aids in offering a few edge-of-the-seat moments. Some of the tropes are predictable and the manner in which the investigation unfolds doesn't provide a new experience. Having said that, the makers ensure not to include any unnecessary scene that deviates from the main plot. Sarath and Ashok come up with earnest performances; the latter's character has comparatively more details while we aren't told much about the former's past or why he behaves in a certain way. Nikhila Vimal's character is also a cop on duty, but appears on and off due to reasons best known to makers. 

Revealing a suspicious character during the interval and making viewers glued to their seats until the end isn't an easy task. Vignesh succeeds in it though a few questions are left unanswered. A flashback portion is neatly conveyed despite it reminding us of a crucial sequence from Forensic, another whodunit. Flawless performances from Harish Kumar and Santosh Keezhatoor elevate those scenes. 

The technical aspects are neat; editing by Sreejith Sarang stands out. The much-awaited climax could have been better considering the tension involved in it. The staging and execution required more novelty to leave the viewers excited. The tail-end involving a family touches upon a pertinent topic, but isn't unavoidable in the film. 

Verdict: Por Thozhil is a taut thriller if you can overlook a few glitches. The screenplay is gripping enough despite a few sequences created in a convenient manner for the story to move forward.