Sunday, September 07, 2014

Mary Kom



Rating : 6/10
Release Date : 5th September, 2014
Time : 123 minutes
Director: Omung Kumar; Writer : Saiwyn Quadras; Music : Shashi-Shivamm
Starring : Priyanka Chopra, Darshan Kumaar, Sunil Thapa, Rajni Basumatary, Shishir Sharma, Robin Das, Shakti Sinha




There is a lot to like about Mary Kom, the movie, based, of course, on the real life of our famous Indian boxer from a tiny village in Manipur. Its inspiring, am sure, to all women who watch the film, sends the right message. Priyanka, in the lead role, gets the feistiness spot on, showing the hot-bloodedness in normal life, which is probably what made her such a terror in the ring. The idyllic surrounding, the discouragement from the father, the simple hamlet she hails from, the odds she overcame, the amazingly supportive husband (hard to imagine anyone not from the North East being half as encouraging), the bulldog of a coach who turns the fighter into a boxer, the corrupt, good for nothing Boxing Federation, headed by one of the nastiest individuals you could encounter, the political instability of the region and, most of all, the many triumphs of the lion-hearted boxer. It all comes through.



However, you do wish they’d made some of the things a little less melodramatic, a tad less filmy. And while Priyanka does overall justice to the role, there are some parts where she looks / behaves / has the body language more of a supermodel than a boxer. I also wish there was a bit more about how she actually developed into a world class boxer in the first place - it happens almost too easily here, one moment she joins the coaching clinic, the next she is in the National’s pummelling her opponents. Finally, instead of making the film try and convey almost every facet of her life, I wish, like most other successful biopics, the makers had instead focused more on one or two incidents which truly made Mary Kom one of India’s more revered sportspersons. I could well imagine a film simply on her life post motherhood since that is what made her truly an unprecedented legend…



Some of the supporting cast were exceptional. The husband, Darshan, came across as a really sweet chap (perhaps too sweet?), the coach, Sunil Thapa, as sufficiently bull headed, the Federation official, Shakti Sinha, sufficiently hateful, and the mother, Rajni, sufficiently maternal, all deserving special mention. There was some talk about Danny being chosen for the coach’s role but having a relatively unknown person in the role made it more credible.



I applaud the central message, the thought behind taking one of our female sporting icons, from one of our most neglected states and making a feature film. However, at the end, most sports films suffer from a bit too much melodrama, usually an over-enthusiastic sound track and a bit of a standard plot structure, predictability. This one, is no different !

PS : Couldn't resist putting one of the real hero

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

When you are there in the boxing ring, you may fight to win, silver or bronze is not enough.. She needed meaning to return again to life. The truth is : marriage and kids doesn't mean it is all over for you.. In ever relationship, after a time, boredom seeps in, but if you are working, you can beat it. Women sometimes end up confining themselves to kitty parties, art soirees or coffee get togethers over card sessions. A job helps women to be in control of their lives.. We all want to get ahead in our careers and to make yourself visible, it takes authenticity, integrity and honesty. You should always give 100% .. Few powerful dialogues throw light on the administration's apathy towards sports.. "Phederation humko chai aur kela ka paisa deta hai"... "Hum yara dometry mein soote hai aur aap apni phamily ke saath 5 star mein...." A credible fire cracker high performance by Priyanka..

Anonymous said...

When you are there in the boxing ring, you may fight to win, silver or bronze is not enough.. She needed meaning to return again to life. The truth is : marriage and kids doesn't mean it is all over for you.. In ever relationship, after a time, boredom seeps in, but if you are working, you can beat it. Women sometimes end up confining themselves to kitty parties, art soirees or coffee get togethers over card sessions. A job helps women to be in control of their lives.. We all want to get ahead in our careers and to make yourself visible, it takes authenticity, integrity and honesty. You should always give 100% .. Few powerful dialogues throw light on the administration's apathy towards sports.. "Phederation humko chai aur kela ka paisa deta hai"... "Hum yaha dometry mein soote hai aur aap apni phamily ke saath 5 star mein...." A credible high, fire cracker performance by Priyanka..

Anonymous said...

That gives instsnt gratification !!

Anonymous said...

When you meet fellows like Sharma and the one who asks for Rs.2 lakh as bribe for a secured job, actually you feel like bashing them up. It boils... Ghat-ghat ka paani hamne bhi piya hua hai, when I started working way back in 1991 or 92 (lost track...) was made to sign on a voucher, paid Rs 2000, but on records my salary was a handsome 5 figure one...it still happens in small towns across India..

Apurv Nagpal said...

Thats terrible ! Am sure its better now - hopefully... Next time someone asks, maybe you should just record them and then blackmail them instead !

Anonymous said...

Seems I have swallowed Sunshine today.. Zen kind of day.... Got a reply after an year... !! Gives me fresh impetus... Apurv, Every stage of life has its challenges...

Anonymous said...

Do such amazingly supportive husbands exist in this world ? Yahan to kabhi kisse ne ek pyaalee chai tak nahi pilayie..... Saara din (apni khushi se) lagee raho phir bhi sunne ko milta hai 'tum saara din kartee kya ho ?'

Anonymous said...

Recipe for weightlifting sucess by Kim Jong Un.. A North Korean leader :: Take one egg. Add an idea. Break a stone with said egg. Voila !

Anonymous said...

I have long been a fan of your work and I think you have much to be proud about. Your history and your record have made your legacy is secure.. You are in a different league altogether. The humility and the vision you have amazes me..at how humble he is and how big he can think.. There's nothing pacifist.... I happen to believe that boxing, just like football, in its exalted moments, is not just a sport, but a lovely and intricate form of art... Legitimizes and fosters within us a tolerance for violence, greed and racism..

Anonymous said...

Where do you see yourself five years from now ?

Anonymous said...

Memory fails at times, have been to F1 !! Was deafening...