The Smile Man - Review

Sarathkumar has long been synonymous with playing sharp-witted police officers solving complex cases. However, his character Chidambaram Nedumaaran in *The Smile Man* is a shadow of his former roles. Once a dapper officer celebrated for his expertise, Nedumaaran is now a retired policeman battling Alzheimer’s. His past achievements are mere anecdotes shared with aspiring officers. The premise—a retired officer with memory loss reopening an already-solved case to uncover the real killer—offers immense potential. Unfortunately, the film delivers a conventional story featuring a generic serial killer, failing to capitalize on its unique setup.

A hallmark of effective whodunits is how investigations unfold, but *The Smile Man* falters here. Despite Nedumaaran’s health condition, he rejoins the force to assist in catching the elusive “Smile Man.” Yet, the narrative often underestimates its audience, spoon-feeding basic plot points. The team identifies the killer as a copycat, dumping bodies in public spaces, but these “revelations” are uninspired and add little intrigue. The film recycles tired tropes, offering a crash course in crime thrillers that feels redundant to fans of the genre.

The depiction of Alzheimer’s is another missed opportunity. Rather than exploring its profound impact on memory and daily life, the film treats the condition more like PTSD with occasional memory lapses. Nedumaaran clutches his temples or trembles during tense moments, but the portrayal rarely delves into how the disease truly affects his cognition or functionality. Brief glimpses into these struggles offer fleeting hope but are underexplored, leaving the character’s condition feeling superficial.

As *The Smile Man* marks Sarathkumar’s milestone 150th film, his performance reflects his usual ease and competence. However, the weak writing diminishes his character, reducing him to a one-dimensional, dutiful cop with a tragic backstory involving Baby Azhiya. The film relentlessly revisits this flashback, using her image, voice, and death as emotional triggers for Nedumaaran. This overuse not only lacks subtlety but becomes disturbingly exploitative.

The supporting characters fare no better. Keerthana (Sija Rose) and Chithra (Ineya) are severely underdeveloped, serving little purpose beyond being token presences.  The loud background score, which rushes in before every minor twist or scare, further disrupts the viewing experience and diminishes any potential tension.

Despite its intriguing premise, the film lacks red herrings or unreliable narrators that could have added layers to its narrative. Instead, it takes a lethargic, straightforward approach to identifying the killer. Similar to *Iraivan*, this film misses the chance to experiment with its storytelling or present an emotionally compelling backstory for its antagonist. The result is a generic, predictable plot that fails to engage.

In the end, *The Smile Man* squanders its potential, relying on tired tropes and uninspired writing. What could have been a gripping exploration of memory, identity, and justice is instead a forgettable crime thriller that struggles to leave an impression. It’s a disappointing entry in Sarathkumar’s illustrious career and a reminder that some stories deserve more thoughtful execution.