Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse review: Investigative thrillers are a common genre in Malayalam cinema. Mammootty has starred in several successful films within this category, including Utharam, Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, and Kannur Squad. In his latest project, he collaborates with director Gautham Vasudev Menon, marking Menon's debut in Malayalam direction with the film Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse. Notably, Mammootty embraces a more experimental approach in this role, portraying an ordinary man with a poignant backstory who continues to navigate life despite his challenges. In the character of CI Dominic, a private investigator who was allegedly dismissed from the police force due to bribery, Mammootty, affectionately known as Mammukka, embodies the role with remarkable ease and authenticity.

The plot of Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse

Dominic's service advertisements are prominently displayed throughout Kochi, reminiscent of the widespread posters of magician P James that once adorned Chennai. Residing in a dilapidated and poorly maintained apartment, the private investigator is in arrears with his rent to his landlady, Mrs Madhuri (Viji Venkatesh), highlighting the financial struggles that compel him to take on various cases, including those involving unfaithful spouses. He perceives himself as a skilled investigator and condescendingly instructs his new assistant, Vignesh (Gokul Suresh), on the importance of 'observation and concentration.' However, on Vignesh's inaugural day, while imparting these techniques, Dominic himself misjudges his observations and concedes that there is a potential error margin of 20% in his deductions.

One day, Mrs Madhuri discovers a woman's purse at the hospital and persuades Dominic to investigate the matter, promising to forgive the rent he owes her. Enticed by this offer, he and Vignesh embark on the investigation, only to discover that the purse belongs to a girl named Pooja, who is currently missing. As Dominic relentlessly follows the leads, traversing both Kerala and Tamil Nadu, more intricate elements of the case begin to surface, pulling him further into the mystery. What has happened to Pooja? What is the complete narrative? Will Dominic be able to unravel this intricate case?

Mammootty is nearly flawless

Mammootty's portrayal of the character is exceptionally accurate, reflecting the considerable effort invested by Gautham Menon and Dr. Neeraj Rajan in capturing every subtlety and eccentricity. Dominic's sarcasm, dry humour, imperfections, and the underlying sadness of his seemingly casual demeanour are effectively conveyed in his interactions with other characters, particularly Vignesh and Mrs. Madhuri. The private investigator is depicted as an ordinary individual, making it easy for the audience to relate to him; he is a man grappling with job loss, divorce, financial difficulties, and the responsibility of caring for a dog. However, while Dominic demonstrates his ability to solve the cases presented to him, he struggles to manage his own life, both literally and metaphorically.

The shortcomings of the film stem from its writing and narrative structure, particularly in the development of the subplots. The attempt to establish a Holmes-Watson dynamic between Dominic and Vignesh falls short, as Vignesh is portrayed more as a wealthy admirer lacking any detective acumen or independent thought. The film's pacing is notably sluggish, testing the audience's patience at times, especially during unnecessary musical interludes or poorly choreographed fight scenes. One might wish for the director to expedite the investigative process. Although there are some red herrings and unexpected twists introduced through various characters, many of these scenes feel laborious.

An investigative thriller should be captivating and maintain the viewer's interest throughout, a quality that is lacking in this film. Nevertheless, there are moments of brilliance interspersed throughout, and the final twist is commendable, albeit perhaps too late to fully compensate for the film's shortcomings.

The character of Nandita is also well-crafted, with Sushmitha Bhat delivering a strong performance, particularly in her scenes with Mammootty during the latter half of the film. However, the performances of other actors, such as Siddique, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Lena, and Shine Tom Chacko, lack the necessary depth, appearing merely to advance the plot. Viji Venkatesh, who portrays Mrs. Madhuri, also seems somewhat out of place in this narrative.

The editing by Anthony is uneven, contributing to the film's overall disjointed feel.

Read Also: "Dominic and the Ladies' Purse" Twitter Reactions: Mammootty's Film Marks Gautham Menon's Comeback

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