Debutante director Omung Kumar's 'Mary Kom' is an inheritance in many ways – a biopic, a sports-based (non-cricket) film, a woman- oriented subject. However, as a combination of all 3 (sportswoman biopic), it is a first in B'town; more so because unlike past biopics which were based on long-lived sportspersons, this one is based on a 32-year young boxer. Right from its first teaser, it was being termed as one of the most awaited movies of the year and senior PC's ambitious film. A brief movie dissection punch-by-punch as follows:
Plot: Being a sports biopic, comparison with last released same genre flick 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' is inevitable. Parallely, being based on woman boxer's struggle to pinnacle, comparison with Oscar winning 'Million dollar baby' (MDB) is not unjustified. However, Mary fails to match the glory of either. The movie, as expected, takes you through the life and struggle of a Manipuri girl who nurtures the burning desire of playing this male-dominated sport since childhood. The narrative is fast and bang-on esp. in the first half. The second half, however, is too cut-short and emotional, lacking thrill-element (which is a must in a sports movie). In fact, the movie would have been crisper without an intermission considering its short length. However, it does manage to highlight the bleak side of Indian sports management and dirty politics involved. It borrows its coach-trainee relationship from MDB. Most importantly, it underlines the efforts and sacrifices of Onler (Mary's husband). The world forgets those heroes behind the heroes we know! This one is a salute to such support-systems. National anthem at the end does manage to give patriotic goose bumps!
Cast: It was supposed to be, and definitely is, an all Priyanka film. PC has tried her best to step into Mary's shoes be it the body language or rigorous physical training and exudes the vulnerability and dilemma of 'mother-boxer' Mary impeccably. However, she could not take out the glamorous Chopra from her character which she ably did in 'Barfi'. May be, her physical attributes went against her playing a North-Eastern girl. All this should not demean her otherwise stellar performance. Fortunately, all other (regional) actors appear more believable. Darshan Kumar as the underplayed Onler performs well while Nepali actor Sunil Thapa as the coconut (tough outside, soft inside) coach is brilliant.
Music: Music by Shashi-Shivam is a letdown. Barring "Ziddi dil", no other song impresses much. As I always say, songs in realistic movies are a bane, so does happen with 'Mary Kom'. "Salaam India" could have been come at end while "Ziddi Dil" could have been repeated in second half.
Flaws: Lot many things stopped 'Mary Kom' from becoming an epic viz.: - A less impressive climax - Too many brand-endorsements intertwined (steal away credibility of a biopic) - Lack of entertainment quotient (majorly due to no other star except PC)
Despite these flaws, Mary Kom wins due to its honest intent to narrate the story of a living legend and good performances by most star-cast. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Viacom movies deserve accolade for choosing to make movie on a non- glitzy subject like this. This magnificent Mary might not win gold (at box-office and award- ceremonies) but does manage to strike silver and wins hearts to quite an extent.
Plot: Being a sports biopic, comparison with last released same genre flick 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' is inevitable. Parallely, being based on woman boxer's struggle to pinnacle, comparison with Oscar winning 'Million dollar baby' (MDB) is not unjustified. However, Mary fails to match the glory of either. The movie, as expected, takes you through the life and struggle of a Manipuri girl who nurtures the burning desire of playing this male-dominated sport since childhood. The narrative is fast and bang-on esp. in the first half. The second half, however, is too cut-short and emotional, lacking thrill-element (which is a must in a sports movie). In fact, the movie would have been crisper without an intermission considering its short length. However, it does manage to highlight the bleak side of Indian sports management and dirty politics involved. It borrows its coach-trainee relationship from MDB. Most importantly, it underlines the efforts and sacrifices of Onler (Mary's husband). The world forgets those heroes behind the heroes we know! This one is a salute to such support-systems. National anthem at the end does manage to give patriotic goose bumps!
Cast: It was supposed to be, and definitely is, an all Priyanka film. PC has tried her best to step into Mary's shoes be it the body language or rigorous physical training and exudes the vulnerability and dilemma of 'mother-boxer' Mary impeccably. However, she could not take out the glamorous Chopra from her character which she ably did in 'Barfi'. May be, her physical attributes went against her playing a North-Eastern girl. All this should not demean her otherwise stellar performance. Fortunately, all other (regional) actors appear more believable. Darshan Kumar as the underplayed Onler performs well while Nepali actor Sunil Thapa as the coconut (tough outside, soft inside) coach is brilliant.
Music: Music by Shashi-Shivam is a letdown. Barring "Ziddi dil", no other song impresses much. As I always say, songs in realistic movies are a bane, so does happen with 'Mary Kom'. "Salaam India" could have been come at end while "Ziddi Dil" could have been repeated in second half.
Flaws: Lot many things stopped 'Mary Kom' from becoming an epic viz.: - A less impressive climax - Too many brand-endorsements intertwined (steal away credibility of a biopic) - Lack of entertainment quotient (majorly due to no other star except PC)
Despite these flaws, Mary Kom wins due to its honest intent to narrate the story of a living legend and good performances by most star-cast. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Viacom movies deserve accolade for choosing to make movie on a non- glitzy subject like this. This magnificent Mary might not win gold (at box-office and award- ceremonies) but does manage to strike silver and wins hearts to quite an extent.