Movie - MOM
Director - Ravi Udyawar
Cast - Sridevi, Akshaye Khanna, Adnan Siddiqui, Sajal Ali and Nawazuddin Siddiqui
What it's about -
There’s a line in MOM that goes: God can’t be everywhere. That’s why he created a mother. It kind of sums up what the film is. MOM, directed by Ravi Udyawar, tells the story of teenage girl Arya (Sajal) who is gang-raped and left to die by a group of four men. Her parents, Devki (Sridevi) and Anand (Adnan), seek justice through legal recourse but the perpetrators get away with the crime. But Devki won’t let them go unpunished. With the help of a local detective DK (Nawazuddin), Devki who’s a teacher by profession, goes on a mission to eliminate the wrongdoers. How she achieves it single-handedly despite a suspicious cop (Akshaye) on her trail is what the rest of the film is about.
.
What's good -
Udyawar's storytelling is first rate - he doesn't let go of the grip at all. The film begins well and dives deep into the drama in the first few reels. The initial portion of the film is disturbing to the core. And because it leaves behind that gnawing feeling, the second half, despite its flaws, comes like a knockout. The director captures the awkward relationship between the mother and daughter beautifully. The portions between Devki and DK also have their endearing moments. A revenge film is a revenge film, after all. There's a lot Udyawar has borrowed from films like Eye For An Eye (Sally Field). It's the treatment that sets the film apart. The director indulges in showing less for more impact. So a lot of the drama is subtle and therefore more effective. MOM is interestingly cast and that's a major part of the battle won. Sajal Ali is brilliant as Arya. Adnan Siddiqui shows restraint and never allows himself to step out of character. Akshaye Khanna has played this role many times before and still manages to make it refreshing. Nawazuddin is the scene-stealer yet again and it's his nuances that make even the most ordinary scene into something special. Sridevi is in top form. She carries the film in her shoulders much like she would do in the 80s when she was the Numero Uno heroine. As a performance, this one is leagues ahead of her last fine act (English Vinglish). You know you can't mess with Devki - such is the impact of the performance. Her quivering voice is the only distraction to the overall charisma.
What's not -
The only problem with MOM is the graph of the story in the second half. After a compelling start, you are geared up for something exceptional coming along. And that's where the disappointment steps in. Devki's acts of revenge are just not as convincing as her intent. The last few reels spiral the film into a different zone altogether - almost on the lines of Cape Fear. The climax is filmy as hell and you wonder what prompted the director to take such a abrupt route when everything else in the film is exactly the contrary. AR Rahman's score is a let-down once again.
What to do -
MOM packs a solid punch and deserves a watch for its gritty content and Sridevi's heroic performance.
Ratings - ***
