The film Parking effectively portrays the complex dynamics within a middle-class family, shedding light on the struggles and tensions that arise from ego-driven conflicts.
Gist of the Story
After moving into a new home, a young couple’s husband and the current tenant engage into a verbal spat about parking space, which quickly escalates into a full-fledged, shady fight of egos.
| Director | Ramkumar Balakrishnan |
| Cinematography | Jiju Sunny |
| Music | Sam C S |
| Producer | Sudhan Sundaram K S Sinish |
Detailed Plot
Harish Kalyan’s character Eshwar and Indhuja Ravichandran’s character Athika are a happy married couple expecting their first kid. They move into a new house where Ilamparuthi (MS Bhaskar), his wife RaSelvi (Rama Rajendra), and Abarna (Prarthana Nathan) are government officers living on the ground floor. However, Eshwar, a young IT worker, values his comfort and that of his girlfriend more than money-saving strategies. Both families get along well until Eshwar and Athika—who is pregnant—move in. Ilamparuthi laments that he can’t keep his bike in the home when Eshwar purchases a car. When Ilamparuthi accidentally scuffs Eshwar’s car’s side one day while cramming his bike into the narrow opening at the entry, things spiral out of control. This ultimately turns into an egotistical struggle between Eshwar and Ilamparuthi as they vie with one another to exact the greatest amount of retribution. They even go so far as to murder and maim one another. Will Ilamparuthi and Eshwar resolve their differences? What effects do their inflated egos have?
Artistes’ Performances
MS Baskar is undoubtedly one of the best performers in Tamil cinema, but alas, not many filmmakers have given him compelling roles. He plays his best-ever role in Parking. At first, his Ilamparuthi appears to be a perfect officer, but gradually, the grey tones give him a believable makeover. Similarly, Harish Kalyan, who is youthful and attractive, gave his greatest performance to date. Not many young performers are willing to explore morally gray areas, therefore it’s fascinating that his Eswar also takes a bad turn toward the end. In the film, Harish gives a compelling performance, and he will undoubtedly receive further acclaim for it in the days to come. In this movie, talented actor Indhuja gives a believable and outstanding performance. Rama Rajendran and Prathana Nathan are also excellent in the movie.
Direction / Technical Side
When parking stays true to its basic idea, it operates well. Ramkumar Balakrishnan, a debut filmmaker, pledged to present a truthful picture of two middle-class families that are renting houses and are having difficulty adjusting. Parking flows well through the first half. After introducing the characters, the equations between them gradually become jumbled. It all begins with a small spark, but before they know it, feelings flare up quickly, and we have two angry volcanoes battling it out. The entirety of the second half is equally captivating. If the first half was convincing, the second half will need some suspending of disbelief. Although it doesn’t appear like someone is knocking out 100 men, a few of the main characters’ acts seem a little unrealistic. Parking, which will undoubtedly make you think of movies like Ayyappanum Koshiyum, also get monotonous after a time, making you wonder what other choices Eshwar could have instead of putting up a struggle with Ilamparuthi.
Parking is a simple, yet powerful, and virtually realistic look at some of the problems middle-class families confront, as well as the consequences of letting egos get in the way of people’s actions and relationships. Parking is a wonderful addition to the list of low-budget movies that have had an incredible run this year because of its compelling script, really strong photography and editing, and outstanding lead performance. The film’s portrayal of the struggles faced by middle-class families resonates deeply with audiences, shedding light on the often overlooked challenges of everyday life. Additionally, the exploration of ego-driven conflicts serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of humility and understanding in maintaining healthy relationships. The background score by music director Sam CS is appropriate for “Parking.” Philomin Raj’s editing and Jiju Sunny’s cinematography both do so.
Verdict;
“Parking” is a potent low-budget film that delves into the challenges faced by middle-class families and the aftermath of disputes motivated by ego. Despite the predictable second half, still audiences are captivated by its captivating narrative, excellent photography, & editing. The standout lead performance adds an extra layer of depth to the film, leaving audiences thoroughly engrossed in the story.