There's no question that Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Super Deluxe stands out as a significant and potentially enduring film in Tamil cinema. The posters alone – referencing Park Chan-wook’s Sympathy for Vengeance, Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, and even a picture of David Lynch from a DVD rental store within the movie itself – were enough to convince me that this would be worth every penny. It delivers a complete experience, essentially four films bundled together and presented in an accessible way. I was surprised to read that Thiagarajan Kumararaja admits to being afraid of writing and considers himself lazy. Seriously? Considering he’s capable of creating works like Aaranya Kaandam and Super Deluxe while feeling this way, it makes you wonder what he could achieve if he embraced a more proactive approach. The writers – Kumararaja, Mysskin, Nalan Kumarasamy, and Neelan K. Sekhar – deserve recognition for crafting such an impressive narrative exploring diverse perspectives on life, relationships, love, sex, and spirituality. Kumararaja’s effort to connect these stories through unique characters is particularly noteworthy. Vijay Sethupathi's portrayal of the transgender woman Shilpa is remarkable; his scenes with his son Rasukutty (Ashwanth Ashokkumar) are genuinely touching and will likely endear you to the child actor. Bagavathi Perumal as SI Berlin creates a character that may provoke frustration in viewers, and the interactions between Shilpa, Berlin, and Vaembu-Berlin are sure to elicit strong reactions for specific reasons. Ramya Krishnan’s dialogue towards the film's conclusion is also incredibly impactful. Fahadh Faasil as Mugilan, Mysskin as Arputham, Gayathrie as Jyothi, and the four children all deliver performances that are truly impressive, showcasing their talent. Even the smaller roles were handled exceptionally well. Once you understand Kumararaja’s filmmaking style, scenes that might initially seem drawn out will transform into something captivating. The cinematography by Vinod and Nirav Shah enhances the storytelling; the color palette, unusual camera angles, and sharp editing by Sathyaraj Natarajan all combined to hold my attention. If you consider ‘Rowdy Baby’ to be a high point in Yuvan Shankar Raja's career regarding its quality and popularity, then you should definitely see Super Deluxe. There’s more depth than initially apparent; U1’s sound design is one example of this, with every detail in the background music and Illaiyaraja’s songs adding value to the overall experience. The film culminates in a powerful conclusion. The ability to appreciate even the most still shots for longer than eight seconds, and to find meaning in those moments of silence, is characteristic of a Thiagarajan Kumararaja film. Samantha's performance as Vaembu is outstanding; it’s interesting to learn that she wasn’t the first choice for the role, as several other prominent actresses declined the part. It’s clear now that no one else could have embodied the character quite like Sam – she’s simply perfect for it.

Source on TMDB