I watched this movie as an eleven-year old. Needless to say, it did not make much sense then, and, as one reviewer has pointed out, it was all 'about Amala.' She had a magical effect on viewers, both male and female. But then, as I got older and watched this again, it all began to change. In South India, reception to this movie is either a yes or no proposition. There are those who love it to distraction and there are those who hate it like the plague itself. I like it. The film has moments where the poetic beauty is incredible. In one fell sweep, Bharatiraja raised Tamil movie to international standards. Yes, there are other excellent movies like this, ones with strong social message, but this one was long overdue by 1987. The director was bold enough to do it (he is a well known socialist, and so is Ilaiyaraja).
So it should come as no surprise that the other reviewer definitely doesn't like this movie, and I like it. Perhaps it all has to do with the caste mentality of India. (I myself do not claim immunity to this very common Indian malady.) It is a great film and it will continue to be popular.