So Manju Warrier is back after 15 years. And I have no great expectations from her, because as a child, I never really enjoyed her films and the most annoying one that comes to my mind is Summer In Bethlahem. But, now I know how good an actor she is, let alone how average her comeback film is.
It starts off with a rather implausible setup where our leading lady is a working wife who discloses to her boss about her interview for another job. How real! Then after a little bit of character build, the plot moves on to talk about gender discrimination, in a way. It goes on towards the end. How women in Indian and elsewhere are not considered as equals in any field, be it administration or business or in this case, a torch-bearer. The idea is good, but the story that as been built up on it raises few eyebrows.
Because, the direction is pure bland. I don't know why Rosshan Andrrews did not pay attention to the little details and unpleasant scenes that are moving examples of awkwardness. The plot speaks many things at once: women power, inorganic vegetable production, domestic mortification, etc. and it does speak well. Although, there is a limit for the imagination. How the plot gathers its substance cannot be relatable and that is the single point which acts against it. There are certain sequences that fail to go with the facts. Also, the characters flip-flop between being protagonists & antagonists. As a matter of fact, while we start the film by somehow hating the female lead, some of us (excluding me) ended it by loving her.
The performances are good, although I can never accept Kunchacko Boban's character. It was pure bullsh*t. The screenplay is good and so is the music. Running over 120 minutes, it gives many reasons for the audience to cheer like the idea of ridiculing Facebook and its bad effects, adopting home-agriculture, standing up against a tyrannical family or standing up for one's honour in the domestic circle.
BOTTOM LINE: A staple film for today's feminism-driven women. I cannot say that it is a bad movie, for the message it conveys should be considered a single reason to have a look, but if you are a thinking person, you may not appreciate the execution. Warrier has grown really old and the movie looks like it was made just to bring her back (or pull her from her 14-year old daughter and lovely husband). I am not judging, though.
Anyways, I would think twice before going for another Warrier film because I am not a narcissist and watching old women enact younger roles is the last thing I wanna watch.
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
