An Unlikely Romance

Ace | Director: P Arumugakumar | Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Rukmini Vasanth | Tamil

THERE IS A romance struggling to emerge from the frenemies plot of Ace. A romance between an unlikely pair—a card sharp-cum-chef cum-wannabe don and a self-possessed young woman who wants to live life on her own terms. Played by Vijay Sethupathi, a master of transforming himself from within, and the gifted Rukmini Vasanth, who is as poised as she is play­ful, Bolt Kannan and Rukku are a love story waiting to unfurl fully in the chaotic universe designed by Arumugakumar. Ace is set in Malaysia, which brings a refreshing vibe to the film. Set in the large Tamil community in Kuala Lumpur, it is styled as a caper with the full gamut of illegal activities, from arms smuggling, to poker, to a bank robbery. Some actors need to alter their physiques to inhabit particular roles. Sethupathi scores over others by channeling the character’s emotions internally with minimal phys­ical change—his turn as the sari-clad Shilpa in Super Deluxe is example enough. It is all in his eyes. That said, Ace is meant for passive enjoyment, chronicling the unlikely friendship of sorts between Malaysian resident Arivu played by Yogi Babu and Sethupathy’s character, who may or may not be Bolt Kannan.

Acecinemafilm reviewP ArumugakumarRukmini VasanthVijay Sethupathi