A Sea Fantasy That Struggles to Hold Attention Due to a Confusing Screenplay!
Produced by GV Prakash and directed by Kamal Prakash, Kingston features GV Prakash Kumar, Divyabharathi, Kumaravel, Antony, and others in key roles.
The story is set in a coastal village where a deep fear looms—those who venture into the sea for fishing never return alive. Their bodies wash ashore, but the mystery remains. Why does this tragedy strike only this village? What is the real cause behind it? Determined to uncover the truth and put an end to the suffering, Kingston (GV Prakash Kumar) embarks on a dangerous journey with his friends, vowing to bring back the village’s livelihood. The rest of the film unfolds his fate and the secrets hidden beneath the sea.
GV Prakash Kumar, as always, benefits from his youthful appearance, which perfectly suits the character. Another standout performer is actor Chetan, who continues to make a mark with well-chosen, impactful roles. In this film, too, he plays a crucial part in driving the narrative forward. Divyabharathi’s role, however, feels questionable—was her character truly necessary? It seems like she was forcibly added just to accommodate romance, duets, and love tracks. Ilango Kumaravel, Azhagam Perumal, and others deliver solid performances within their given scope.
Despite having a simple and straightforward core plot, Kingston complicates itself with an unnecessarily convoluted screenplay. The biggest issue lies in its excessive use of flashbacks—there’s essentially one main flashback, but it is retold from multiple perspectives, making it feel repetitive and exhausting.
The film was marketed as a "sea fantasy," setting audience expectations for fantasy elements, horror, and thrilling moments right from the start. However, viewers are left waiting until the intermission, hoping for supernatural or eerie moments to unfold. Even in the second half, instead of fully embracing the horror elements, the film keeps circling back to flashbacks, testing the audience’s patience further.
Cinematographer Gokul Benoy has put in significant effort to distinguish the coloring tones between flashback sequences and present-day scenes. The horror sequences set in the sea are visually impressive, especially considering the film’s limited budget. The VFX team, particularly the art direction department, deserves appreciation for achieving commendable visual effects within these constraints.
Editor San Lokesh could have trimmed the film further, especially by reducing the repetitive flashback sequences. In terms of music, GV Prakash’s Raasa Raasa... is an enjoyable track but feels misplaced, disrupting the film’s pacing. The Mandha Patthiram and Kingston Title Track offer a unique musical experience.
Just when the film seems to be revealing its core conflict and the true antagonist, it instead leaves the audience puzzled, leading to frustration rather than clarity.
Overall, Kingston is a test of patience. If you can endure a sluggish narrative with excessive flashbacks, you might want to check it out—especially since it is being promoted as Tamil cinema’s first sea fantasy. But be warned, it's not an easy sail!
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