Kennedy Club movie review: Clichéd and predictable without real twists and turns

Director: Suseinthiran

Cast: Bharathiraja, Sasikumar, Soori, Murali Sharma

Sports films often have a narrative that showcases the desires and talents of the individuals etched against a backdrop of hardships- be it political or otherwise. And you can guess right away with Kennedy Club that you’re in for one such ride of emotions and resilience. Featuring our homegrown sport of Kabaddi and focusing particularly on the women who play this competition, the movie strives to elicit the audience’s empathy, anger and satisfaction and succeeded in doing so.

A group of young girls hailing from Ottanchathiram, a rural town in Tamil Nadu come under the tutelage of Muruganandam (Sasikumar) and senior coach Savarimuthu (Bharathiraja), an ex-army man. They’re all from economically disadvantaged families, and they’re about to take part in a national kabaddi championship. How they face the challenges thrown their way and go on to win the competition forms the rest.

Kennedy Club has taken all the aspects of women pursuing sports professionally and has presented it in a realistic manner. Be it familial troubles or hostility from the sport, the film does successfully make you connect and feel for the characters involved. Sasikumar as the coach does a good job and eclipses his senior Bharathiraja’s performance. The lone villain played by Murali Sharma could have used a bit more menace. All the girls who are real life kabbadi are realistic and pitched in their bit.

Overall, Suseinthiran has slightly deviated from his usual style of filmmaking. One could say that the movie is a bit too clichéd and predictable without real twists and turns. If you want a change from the usual K-town action-dramas or are a fan of sports in general, go for it.