Mark Antony is a name etched in the memory of every Tamil film enthusiast, thanks to Raghuvaran's iconic portrayal in Rajinikanth's 'Baassha,' where he transformed Mark Antony into one of the most formidable villains. Fast forward to 2023, and we find Vishal and director Adhik Ravichandran attempting to capitalize on the character's enduring fame. Similar to 'Baashha,' 'Mark Antony' will be cherished for the outstanding performance delivered by SJ Suryah.
Antony (played by Vishal) and Jackie Pandian (played by SJ Suryah) are inseparable friends and notorious gangsters who rule Chennai through their unruly activities. However, their nemesis, Ekambaram (Sunil), seeks vengeance against Antony for his brother's murder. Ekambaram devises a plot and eliminates Antony in a bar, leaving Jackie as the sole gangster. Jackie takes responsibility for raising Antony's son, Mark.
In the meantime, Chiranjeevi (played by Selvaraghavan) is working on a time-travel device, a phone in this case, which leads him to Antony. He deciphers the time-travel phone to alter his past and uncover mysteries about his parents. Antony and Jackie get their hands on this phone and express their desire to reshape the past.
Adhik Ravichandran had previously established a reputation in the Tamil film industry. After a successful outing with 'Trisha Illana Nayanthara,' the director couldn't replicate the same level of success. Nevertheless, 'Mark Antony' might just be the breakthrough he needs. This time-travel gangster film is a zany and uproarious journey. The strengths of 'Mark Antony' lie in SJ Suryah's exceptional performance, GV Prakash's musical composition, and the comedic elements.
However, the film is not without its flaws. It consistently reminds the audience not to anticipate logic in a narrative like this one. The limitations and functions of the time-travel phone are outlined in a diary by Chiranjeevi, but these rules and functions conveniently adapt to the demands of the screenplay.
'Mark Antony' boasts a compelling storyline, interwoven with theatrical moments scattered throughout. Whether it's the interval sequence, Jackie's interactions with his son, or the climax, the film keeps viewers entertained with its witty one-liners. The screenplay occasionally meanders and could have been more concise in the second half.
While Vishal plays the lead role, it's SJ Suryah who steals the spotlight by a wide margin. He is aptly credited as the 'Nadipu Arakan' (acting beast) for the range he displays in the film. Though Vishal gives it his all, his performance doesn't match up to Suryah's. Sunil, in the role of Ekambaram, underscores why he is one of the finest performers in Telugu cinema.
Nevertheless, 'Mark Antony' does have some problematic elements. The treatment of Ritu Varma's character, the clichéd behavior of Silk Smitha's character, and Y Gee Mahendran's portrayal all contain stereotypes that could have been avoided in this day and age.
'Mark Antony' succeeds primarily due to its (un)intentional humor. At times, you laugh at the dialogues, and at other times, you find amusement in the film itself. In any case, laughter is guaranteed while watching the film, and that may well be the film's triumph.
Besides SJ Suryah, GV Prakash's music deserves special mention. Abinandhan Ramanujam's cinematography is noteworthy for its carefully crafted frames that evoke the aesthetics of the 70s and 80s.
In conclusion, 'Mark Antony' is a commendable effort that, despite its shortcomings, manages to engage the audience and keep them in stitches.