I wanted to like this movie. I watched it on account of glowing reviews that gave special mention to the actors' performances. That aspect, that of the leads at least, without doubt deserves praise - they acted brilliantly, and as a new-comer to Dhanush's films I too see clearly how talented of an actor he is.Which makes it more of a pity that the movie overall failed to connect. It impressed alright, but movies with cliché plots and lower production value have left me feeling more than I did at the end of Maryan. I quote an older review, from the Times of India, "for a man who gives logical replies to his friends about why he does not want to fall in love, Maryan's change of heart is a bit too quick and unconvincing." Exactly. Pani's love keeps Maryan alive, but to me at least, the development of that powerful relationship didn't come through nearly enough! How come he started loving her all of a sudden? Was it triggered by simple guilt? Had he been suppressing his love all this time? If so, how are we to know? The story ultimately fails in that it is a story of a powerful love, but doesn't take enough time to let the audience understand why said love is so intensely felt. A character said in the movie that Pani had for a long time been "obsessed" with Maryan, and indeed she seems so in the beginning. Unfortunately, so she seems also in the end. Why does she love Maryan? I actually don't know. (Especially given the many character flaws he reveals..)Secondly, while there are a few memorable tracks that fit the moment well, many times in the movie I was stunned by how out-of-place the music seemed. Maryan is desperate at the hands of his kidnappers, and suddenly some upbeat track starts. If scenes were affecting me, well the beat threw that out as soon as it started. This was AR Rahman? I don't understand!Much kudos for providing a strong female lead. Perhaps a second watching will allow some links to click and empathy to grow. However, for now it remains an artsy movie that tried.To be honest, if I dwell any longer on this, the more likely I am to partially rescind my praise and deign Parvati's acting 'very good' instead of 'brilliant'. Reviewers I admire, did we watch the same movie??

Maryan turned out to be a total dud. The entire theatre kept groaning and moaning audibly through the movie. The movie tells of a small town boy who decides to go to Sudan on a lucrative contract to help his future father-in-law escape a debt. In typical style, the first half of the movie introduces us to the protagonist and peripheral characters. It is light and filled with fun. The second half takes us to Sudan where the hero falls in the clutches of a band of kidnappers. While the story looks compelling on paper, BharatBala should have left it alone. There is just too much advertisement like styling that it takes away rather than adds to the telling of what should essentially be a gritty story. That Bharat Bala doesn't have a clue about story telling is seen in the second half where only token scenes show us how someone might have survived in the hot desert. Instead, we are treated to scene after scene of Dhanush stumbling through the desert while thinking of his love back home. Groan!Give it a miss. Go watch Ranjanhaa once more. Or maybe Aadukalam.

One of the best Tamil "genuine entertaining" films till date where the famous music video and ad film director Bharat Bala paints a beautiful scenario of a man who fights against all odds and gets himself saved from the shackles of initially the local villain in Tamil Nadu and then the local militia in Sudan. The film is a well crafted and brilliant narration laden film, which scores full points in the screenplay (Bharat and Sriram Rajan), the characters whose presence make the frames complete with their excellent performances. A word about A.R. Rahman's music score: REFRESHING. He hits with a large bang in giving the film a great music score which graces the film, continuing his excellence this year from Kadal and Raanjhanaa. A word about the cinematography: BRILLIANT. Marc Konnikx, AFC, turns every frame of the film into an outstanding piece of art, which makes your jaw drop. The editing by Vivek Harshan is slick and brilliant and the the Sound Design and DI work is again brilliant. Performances by Salim Kumar, Jagan, Uma Riyaz Khan and Dagbeth Tweh are brilliant. Parvathy Menon is beautiful and adorable in the film in her performances and beauty as well. Dhanush is EXCELLENT, who returns with his charms that he displayed in films like "Aadukulam", "Mayakkam Enna" and the recent cult "Raanjhanaa". The great and smooth narration flow makes "Maryan" a great weekend fare. A must watch even more a Non Tamil as the film has been released with English subtitles. My rating would be 4. 5/ 5.

Maryan is filled with lot of emotion,pain,struggle and heart wrenching love... Only Dhanush can do this type of role,with his impressing expressions,lovely smile,heart touching emotional scenes,his Hardwork shows in each and every frame,sure another national award is waiting for him.Although the first half will be slow that didn't damage the plot its going very well with cast.Parvathy Wow really stupendous performance from her,cute and beautiful Paru impresses so much.Second half no words to express truly realistic Mindblowing.Cinematography by Marc is major highlight of the movie his powerful lens captures the locations very well,kudos to him also.Editing by Vivek Harshan is sharp doesn't spoil the movie, Bharat Bala came up with an emotional tale of love,he takes Tamil cinema to next level. Last but not least A.R.RAHMAN is there any word to praise him more,songs are very emotional and Marvellous,his terrific Bgm carries the movie as soul to the end.Movie is technically brilliantMaryan-Dhanush and A.R.RAHMAN steals the show.Hats off to the entire crewMy rating-10/10Go and experience it