Johnny

J. Mahendran's 1980 Tamil film follows Johnny, who lives by deception. He falls in love with Archana, a singer, while a man who resembles him tries to pin his own murder on him. The film joins a crime line to melodrama. The narrative does not explain Johnny's past in detail and does not define him as good or bad; the relationship itself is the subject. Rajinikanth and Sridevi lead. Mahendran was known for keeping dialogue sparse, and the narrative proceeds through looks and silence. Ilaiyaraaja's music is one of the film's carrying elements and the songs are still known. Who it's for: those who like classic Tamil drama and the cinema of the early eighties. Who it's not for: viewers expecting a fast detective story; the film keeps its suspense in second place.