Parking (2023) Movie Review

Parking 2023 Movie Review

In "Ayyappanum Koshiyum," the main characters were from the Army and Police, while "Driving License" explored the clash of egos between a Superstar and a motor vehicle inspector. Now, in "Parking Movie" the tension arises between two regular folks with typical 9-5 jobs, and their disagreement revolves around a simple shared parking space.

Unlike immediately thrusting us into the conflict, director Ramkumar takes his time to show that Eshwar (played by Harish) and Ilamparuthi (played by MS Bhaskar) are just like us. We gradually learn about each character's dreams, priorities, flaws, and even their way of speaking. The filmmaker cleverly builds up their friendship before the inevitable rift, which hits us right before the intermission. The second half becomes a full-blown showdown between the two leads, sparing no punches, quite literally, as they vie for the alpha male status.

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What makes "Parking" special is that it doesn't force us to choose sides. Every clash leaves us torn between hoping they don't escalate things further and eagerly anticipating more on-screen tension. Take, for instance, the first race to the parking lot between Eshwar and Ilamparuthi. Eshwar wins by a hair and rushes into the house, only to accidentally damage his new car's side mirror. The skillful direction of "Parking" puts us in the driver's seat, making us feel Eshwar's rage, adrenaline, and instant regret within minutes. Now, imagine if Ilamparuthi had won – would our emotions change? Not really, and that's a big win for the first-time filmmaker.

Even when things between the main characters get seriously intense in the second half, leading them to make decisions that could change their lives forever, we don't find ourselves thinking, "Who in their right mind would do such things?" Instead, we accept the idea that even the kindest person can turn into someone ruthless when pushed to their limits. The smart screenplay makes sure that the characters have limited options and backup plans, so even those who claim they would have handled the situation differently can understand the characters' mindset.

"Parking" skillfully hints at what's to come without being too obvious. The cinematography by Jiju Sunny and editing by Philomin Raj work together seamlessly to create visuals that perfectly fit the parking movie story.

Cars are like the affordable version of houses for the middle class in India. Naturally, people feel a strong emotional connection to these fancy pieces of metal. Anyone who has felt upset over the first scratch on their new car, rushed around for a parking spot, or stood their ground against annoying neighbors will instantly relate to this film. And the best Parking 2023 Movie keeps delivering exciting moments at every crucial point.

Rama and Prarthana Nathan shine in their roles as Ilamparuthi's wife and daughter in "Parking," while Indhuja, playing the pregnant and soft-spoken Aathika, seems a bit unsure about how much emotion to express in intense situations. MS Bhaskar, known for his moving performances in films like "Uthama Villain" and "Mozhi," brings a chilling presence to the morally conflicted Ilamparuthi. This film once again showcases the untapped potential in Bhaskar's acting. Harish Kalyan, drawing from his roles in "Ispade Rajavum Idhaya Raniyum" and "Dharala Prabhu," skillfully balances the fiery Gautham and composed Prabhu, proving he's more than just a romantic hero.

"Parking" boldly lays out its core story and crucial moments in its promotional trailer. Even though we know the main events, director Ramkumar's mastery keeps us glued to the screen. The final act and climax may not completely surprise us, but that's okay because part of us was expecting this ending. Overall, Ramkumar's debut comfortably parks itself in our minds as one of the standout films of the year.