The Duo

Films that depict political power play are nothing new to the western movie screen, nor are films whose main characters are two men who are good friends but are forced to become rivals. But how often do song and dance become part of the plot? Herein lies the charm of Indian film! Like Woody Allen, Mani Ratnam comes out with a new film every year, and has enriched Indian film goers with 15 films in the last 15 years. However, whereas Woody Allen makes use of the musical genre for the first time in ”Everyone Says I Love You”, Ratnam has been following this tradition of incorporating song and dance routines for years, and as always the result is a very entertaining film.
Ratnam's films are always marked by an exceptional vitality and intelligence and the director has a unique ability to tread that fine line between popular entertainment and serious art. Using the same recurring themes - love, betrayal, power, and politics - his films braid together imaginative stories that associate readily with Tamil culture. His last film, Bombay, was a success and this year's film doesn't deviate from this trend, but has, nonetheless, aroused particular interest as it can be seen as a true story based on real events. The fact that characters in ”The Duo” bear a strong resemblance to members of the cream of Tamil society, does not escape the Indian audiences.
This is not a film about politics. It is a film about the drama, the glamour and the glitter behind the scenes within politics and the film industry. It is a film about the development of two people over the course of five decades, about dreams and desires, marriage and love affairs, death and betrayal. It is a beautifully filmed story with many layers. The musical numbers are used in a very sophisticated way, as in the scene in which wonderful images of the setting sun are captured poetically between a dancing woman's legs, all to A.R. Rahman's unique mixture of Indian popular music and western tunes.
Don't be surprised if you think Anandan's first wife seems familiar - the actress is none other than Aishwarya Rai, Miss World 1994, who makes her debut in this film. It is also not surprising that she has already been offered her second film role - this photogenic Indian actress's musical numbers have affected many a man's heart.

Orig. titel
Iruvar: Medverkande
Mohanlal, Prakash Raj, Aishwarya Rai, Gautami, Tabu, Nasser: Producent
Mani Ratnam: Manus
Mani Ratnam: Foto
Santosh Sivan: Musik
A.R. Rahman: Talat språk
Tamil