Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse story: Former police officer Dominic, who runs his own detective agency, is tasked with finding the owner of a purse by his landlady. What starts out as a ‘simple case’ soon leads him to probe the whereabouts of two missing people.

Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse review: Malayalam audiences are known for their discerning taste, especially when it comes to the authenticity of Malayalam accents, whether from actors or singers. Improper enunciation often stands out, detracting from the overall experience of a story or song. In Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Malayalam directorial debut, this issue also surfaces. The film’s dramatic tone and moments of childishness, particularly when Gokul Suresh’s character reacts with wide-eyed wonder whenever Dominic (Mammootty) deciphers something, disrupt the flow of the narrative. This contrast between serious moments and more naive ones creates an uneven viewing experience at times.

The film, written by Gautham alongside Dr. Neeraj Rajan and Dr. Sooraj Rajan, centres on an investigation conducted by Dominic, a former cop turned detective. Initially, the case – finding the owner of a purse – seems too simple for someone of his calibre. However, as his investigation deepens, it unravels a much larger and more sinister mystery.

While the filmmakers haven’t strayed far from the traditional investigative formula, what sets Dominic and the Ladies' Purse apart is its lead character, who brings a unique set of quirks and methods to the table. However, don’t expect anything extraordinary from him. Dominic isn’t your typical Sherlock Holmes; while he employs sharp observation skills, his character also feels more like your approachable, endearing next-door neighbor.

On the surface, this investigative thriller offers a breezy watch but quickly becomes forgettable, as neither the protagonist nor the investigation truly captivates the audience throughout its 2-hour 32-minute runtime. The final stretch, which reveals the mystery, is the film’s saving grace, but the resolution feels somewhat predictable and reinforces familiar stereotypes.

Despite the director’s earlier mention of writing the dialogues in Tamil first before translating them into Malayalam, some characters, including those portrayed by Wafa Khatheeja and Viji Venkatesh, deliver their lines with a heavy, distracting accent. On the other hand, Sushmitha Bhat, who plays dancer Nanditha, justifies her accent and impresses in her debut performance.

Mammootty shines as Dominic, subtly toning down the heroics to fit the script remains effortlessly compelling, especially during the film's final stretch when focus shifts to another character. Gokul Suresh, Vineeth, and Vijay Babu have limited roles – with the former being more of a cheerleader than a true sidekick to Dominic, while the latter two play pivotal roles in solving the mystery.

The cinematography by Vishnu Dev complements the 'private-eye' narrative, with static frames that allow the characters to be observed without their knowledge, letting the actors take centre stage with their performances. However, the music by Darbuk Siva falls short for most of the film, only gaining momentum in the final 15 minutes, where it builds to a satisfying crescendo.

Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse verdict: Mammootty and Gautham Vasudev Menon’s investigative thriller has its moments, but it does feel like a missed opportunity, considering the talents involved and the potential that such a subject had.

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