Ace Movie Review: Vijay Sethupathi’s Romantic Comedy Falls Short?
There’s no need to elaborate on the craze surrounding Tamil superstar Vijay Sethupathi. His latest film, Ace, directed by Armuga Kumar, hit theaters on May 23 this year and began streaming on Amazon Prime from the 13th of this month. A romantic comedy, the film raises curiosity about how it will fare on OTT platforms.
Ace Movie Review: Plot
The protagonist (Vijay Sethupathi) is released from Dubai Central Jail and makes his way to Malaysia. There, he survives by working in the scrap trade under Gnananandam (Yogibabu). While waiting at the airport for a man named Bolt Kashi, sent by his friend, Gnananandam mistakes the protagonist for Bolt Kashi. The hero, hiding his secrets, goes along with the mistaken identity.
Gnananandam gets “Bolt Kashi” (Vijay Sethupathi) a job at a bakery run by Kalpana (Divya Pillai), whom he admires. In the shelter arranged by Gnananandam, Bolt Kashi meets Rukmini (Rukmini Vasanth). Their acquaintance turns into admiration and eventually love—she realizes his mass appeal, and he recognizes her honesty.
Rukmini’s mother passes away, and her stepfather, Rajadura (Pruthvi Raj), harasses her, demanding a large sum to leave her alone. As a policeman, he instills fear in her. Meanwhile, the bakery faces foreclosure unless Kalpana repays the bank within two weeks. To help them, Kashi gambles with local don Dharma (Avinash), loses, and ends up with a two-crore debt. Now, Kashi, Rukmini, and Kalpana desperately need money. What does Kashi do next? The answer forms the rest of the story.
Ace Movie Review: Analysis
The entire story unfolds in Malaysia. Despite appearing like a big-budget film, it revolves around just six characters. The first question that arises is whether Vijay Sethupathi delivers in this romantic comedy. While Yogibabu provides some comic relief, Sethupathi’s romance angle feels missing.
The financial struggles of the lead characters feel justified, but the solutions they resort to seem forced and silly. The stepfather track and the hero-villain dynamics lack freshness. The action sequences are passable, but the emotional beats fail to connect. The story mostly lingers in Malaysia’s slum areas, adding to the chaos.
From the beginning, the film relies on weak scenes, with Yogibabu occasionally salvaging the narrative. The plot lacks momentum until the climax. Though the limited character focus is impressive, the lack of depth leaves audiences disappointed.
Ace Movie Review: Performances
Vijay Sethupathi doesn’t break new ground but remains engaging as always. Rukmini Vasanth’s glamorous presence is a highlight, though her traditional look would have scored more points. Yogibabu’s style and Divya Pillai’s looks add some charm.
Ace Movie Review: Technical Aspects
Armuga Kumar’s storytelling and screenplay feel average. The songs don’t leverage Malaysia’s scenic beauty. Karan B. Rawat’s cinematography and Sam CS’s background score are just functional. The editing feels choppy, and the climax could have been tighter.
Ace Movie Review: Verdict
Ace is a story woven around very few characters in Malaysia. The film doesn’t fully commit to action, emotion, comedy, or romance, leaving many scenes feeling weak. Beyond sporadic humor, the film fails to leave a lasting impact.
Ace Movie Review: FAQs
1. Is Ace a comedy or a romantic film?
Ace attempts to blend both genres but doesn’t excel in either.
2. Where can I watch Ace?
The film is streaming on Amazon Prime.
3. How is Vijay Sethupathi’s performance?
He delivers his usual charm but doesn’t explore new territory.
4. Does Ace have a strong storyline?
The plot is simple, with some forced twists and weak emotional depth.
5. Is Ace worth watching?
If you enjoy light-hearted comedies with Vijay Sethupathi, you might find it passable.
Disclaimer
This review reflects the author’s personal opinion. Viewer discretion is advised. The film’s reception may vary based on individual preferences.
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