#goodandevil

For the woman who understands both sides! ;) Available on many products.

Nelson Dilipkumar directed the 2023 Tamil action thriller film Jailer, which stars Rajinikanth, Shiv Rajkumar, Mohanlal, and Jackie Shroff. The film follows a retired jailer who is called back into action to stop a ruthless gangster.

The film opens with a high-octane action sequence that sets the tone for the rest of the film. The action sequences are well-choreographed and exciting, and they never feel gratuitous. The film also has a good mix of humor and drama, keeping the audience engaged from start to finish.

Rajinikanth gives a charismatic and powerful performance as the retired jailer who is forced to come out of retirement to avenge his son's death. Shiv Rajkumar and Mohanlal are also excellent, and they bring a lot of depth to their roles. Jackie Shroff is a bit underutilized, but he still makes an impression as the ruthless gangster.

The technical aspects of Jailer are also very good. The cinematography is stunning, and the action sequences are well-edited. The music by Anirudh Ravichander is catchy and adds to the film's overall atmosphere.

Overall, Jailer is a well-made action thriller that is sure to entertain fans of the genre. The film is not without its flaws, but it is ultimately a satisfying and enjoyable experience.

Here are some of the things that I felt about the movie:

I was impressed by the film's action sequences. They were well-choreographed and exciting, and they never felt gratuitous. I also enjoyed the film's humor. It helped to keep the film from becoming too dark or serious. I thought the film's characters were well-developed. Rajinikanth gave a particularly good performance as the retired jailer. I also liked the film's message about the importance of family and justice.

Overall, I thought Jailer was a well-made and enjoyable film. It is sure to please fans of the action genre.

Here are some of the things that I felt could have been improved:

The film is a bit long. It could have been trimmed by about 30 minutes. The plot is a bit predictable. It would have been more interesting if the film had taken a few more twists and turns. The film does not explore the themes of good versus evil or justice versus revenge. It would have been interesting to see the film explore these themes more deeply.

Despite these flaws, I still enjoyed Jailer and I would recommend it to fans of the genre.

Nelson Dilipkumar's Jailer storms onto the screen with an electrifying opening sequence, setting the stage for a rollercoaster ride of action, drama, and a touch of humor. Starring powerhouse performers Rajinikanth, Shiv Rajkumar, Mohanlal, and Jackie Shroff, the film packs a punch in its pursuit of justice.

The action sequences were meticulously choreographed and never veered into gratuitous territory. They served as a visceral backdrop to the story, adding layers of intensity and suspense. The film maintained a balanced blend of humor and drama, ensuring the audience was hooked from the get-go.

Rajinikanth, as the retired jailer called back into the fray, was a tour de force. His charisma and raw power on screen are a testament to his enduring prowess as an actor. Shiv Rajkumar and Mohanlal delivered stellar performances, adding depth and gravitas to their respective roles. Jackie Shroff, though underutilized, left a lasting impression as a ruthless gangster.

Technically, Jailer was a triumph. The cinematography was breathtaking, capturing the action sequences with precision and flair. The editing ensured that the pacing was sharp, maintaining the film's momentum. Anirudh Ravichander's music complemented the film beautifully, enhancing its overall atmosphere.

The film did have its minor drawbacks. Its runtime could have been trimmed by about 30 minutes, preventing certain scenes from lingering a tad too long. The plot, while engaging, followed a somewhat predictable trajectory, missing opportunities for unexpected twists and turns. Additionally, the exploration of themes like good versus evil and justice versus revenge could have been more nuanced.

However, despite these minor quibbles, Jailer was undeniably an entertaining and well-crafted action thriller. It was a testament to the talents of its ensemble cast and the director's deft hand at crafting high-octane, emotionally resonant cinema. For fans of the action genre, Jailer was a must-watch that delivered both excitement and heart.

Note on the text: I used Orson Scott Card’s Speaker for the Dead as published in 1987 by Tom Dogherty Associates

We may not be angels, but that doesn’t mean that we’re demons. Humans, all humans, have good and bad in them which means that no human is inherently better, or more moral, than another. Even the most evil person in the world has some redeeming qualities. I’m reminded of a story I heard once about Stalin’s granddaughter who said that she had a hard time recognizing her grandfather as the monster that others saw him as because to her he was just the sweet, doting grandfather who always made her feel loved and supported. The truth is not that he was either a monster or a loving grandfather- the truth is that he was both. That is exactly what Ender means when he tells Novinha that

no human being, when you understand his desires, is worthless. No one’s life is nothing. Even the most evil of men and women, if you understand their hearts [have] have some generous act[s] that [redeem], at least a little, from their sins (142).

What is true on the macro level about all human beings is also true on the micro level about you and me as individuals. We are more than our worst traits. Often times people struggle with a feeling of shame and embarrassment that causes them to overly highlight their bad qualities while obscuring their good qualities. We have to remember though in those moments that admitting that we aren’t angels does not mean we’re demons. Our good qualities are just as real, just as significant, as our bad ones.

Ela is a character who really struggles with low self esteem. She really struggles to see her own value as a person to the point where at one point in the story she refers to herself and the most ungrateful and cruel child who has ever lived, to which Ender responds:

Yes, you’re ungrateful and a terrible daughter’; he said laughing softly. ‘Through all these years of chaos and neglect you held your mother’s family together with little help from her, and when you followed her in her career, she wouldn’t share the most vital information with you; you’ve earned nothing but love and trust from her and she’s replied by shutting you out of her life at home and at work; and then you finally tell someone that you’re sick of it. You’re just about the worst person I’ve ever known’

She found herself laughing at her own self condemnation (226).

The truth is that when we are open to learning the full story about ourselves or others, it makes it easier for us to empathize and to see things as they really are. One of the things that this open us up to is the possibility of change. Change is possible. One thing that Ela realizes about herself is just how much she has changed as a direct result of the mistakes that she has made. That she “made a mistake, and the mistake has changed her, and now she would not make the mistake again because she had become someone else, someone less afraid, someone more compassionate” (231).