Mummy & Me

[rameshxavier]

Director Jithu Joseph, who made his debut with the mystery thriller Detective, talks about a genuine and sensitive issue in Mummy & Me. With some fine moments and its innate honesty, the film touches your heart, though the performances, technical aspects and its formulaic style let you down in a major way.

The story is focused on Jewel (Archana Kavi), a bratty teenager who lives with her parents and a younger brother in a picturesque town. Quite like most youngsters of her age, Jewel finds it difficult with all the restrictions imposed on her, especially by her strict mom Clara (Uravashi). The constant tiffs between the mom and daughter is a matter of concern for dad Joseph (Mukesh), a bank manager.

Jewel is close to Rahul (Kunchacko Boban), an MBA student and the son of their family friend. Rahul loves Jewel, but don't have the courage to reveal his feelings for her. After a while, there is great change in Jewel as she mellows down at the influence of her mysterious chat friend, Amir, and things take some twists and turns from then on.

Yes, there is a relevant theme here which could be relatable for almost everyone. But the problem here could be the way it has been executed. It moves along in highly conventional lines and in the end, one gets the feeling that here, a modern theme has been narrated in an age old format.

Though the story moves ahead on highly predictable lines, things doesn't get too melodramatic and that is quite a reason for a pat on the back for the writer-director, considering the sentimental nature of the theme.

Internet and chatting is seen as rather offensive terms in most Malayalam films but things are slightly different here. It's the chat friend who causes a substantial change in the girl! But it is quite unknown why the girl started hating her mom, all on a sudden. It is perhaps naïve to generalize that every girl in the end-teens behaves so, as well.

At just above two hours, it is an engaging film for sure. However, one of the main problems with it is the number of songs in it, which comes one after the other quite frequently, especially in the first half. Sejo John's music is pretty fine, but here it's a case of too many songs spoiling the party. Vipin Mohan's visuals are rather ordinary.

The performances are all on an average level and the usually spectacular Urvashi is perhaps the best among the lot, but then even she is nowhere near her usual standards. Archana Kavi looks just about okay as a grumpy young girl, but it is evident that the role is a bit too heavy for her to play it in a convincing way.

Kunchacko Boban looks quite uncomfortable playing a student and a rather meek lover. Mukesh has done a nice job, but why should he repeat his trademark style and even some of dialogues in every film?

The film appealing for its sincerity and its contemporary storyline, though it has been handled in an old-fashioned manner. Still, it is one of the better films during recent times and that itself is a considerable achievement during this disappointing phase of Malayalam cinema. Watch it, as the storyline can move you and in the whole, the film is an earnest effort.