Mummy and Me Movie Review
Mummy and Me, directed by Jithu Joseph is a sensible film with lots of genuine things and facts in it. With some good moments and instances, the film catches the attention of the audience that indeed shares a message too.
Jeethu Joseph’s Mummy and Me takes a closer look at the differences in outlook and values that exist between generations. Clara (Urvasi) has trouble giving in to the rebellious ways of her teenaged daughter Jewel (Archana Kavi) and often it’s her husband Jo (Mukesh) who gets caught in between the two. Life isn’t exactly heaven for the family of four, especially with Jewel’s younger brother Jokuttan (Jeevan) forever fanning the flames. There are a few moments at least in the first half of the film that delivers the stuff. And thanks to that younger brother who is forever lingering around, it delivers a few smiles too. Having established its premise about a battling mother-daughter duo who are forever at their wits’ ends because of each other, the film introduces a new character – an unseen chat friend of Jewel’s – into the story.
The other characters who pad up the story are Jewel’s younger brother (Master Jeevan), who spies on his sister and reports to their mother; Rahul (Kunchako Boban), son of Joseph’s childhood friend (Lalu Alex), who acts as Jewel’s local guardian and secretly likes her. The twist in the tale comes, when the bad guys in college try to get even with Jewel and Rahul saves her. Jewel’s parents seek out a psychologist (Anoop Menon) to help them deal with her, and Jewel finds an Agony Uncle in her online friend Ameer (Suresh Gopi). In the process, we get to hear a few scholarly sermons on new-age parenting and what kids should do to understand and appreciate their parents.
Not long before, a few months back in fact, I V Sasi had spoken at length about this very phenomenon in his Vellathooval that has Nithya and Seema doing the mom – daughter roles. It’s quite different from Mummy and Me, but the core issue remains the same. Urvasi needs no further praise for the amazing performer that she is, and she literally carries the film through. Mukesh is charmingly mellow; Jeevan is another splendid actor who we would be seeing a lot more in the days ahead. Archana Kavi badly needs to get someone to take a look at her wardrobe and looks quite odd often standing beside a chicly dressed Chackochan.
With regard to performances, all have done quite well but Urvashi’s performance is the most applauded one. Archana Kavi has tried to portray the frustrations of a teenager but is not that impressive. Kunchacko has done well but feels quite uncomfortable seeing him as a student. Mukesh as always is impressive. Sejo John’s music is very good and melodious. Vipin Mohan’s visuals are okay. The director has taken every effective step to make the film impressive and he is successful to an extent. The film is interesting in the first two hours. Though the matter is told in an old manner, the film is a relief from all the masala and unnatural concepts.
The cast saves the movie from being a total disaster. Urvasi takes to the role as a fish would take to water. Archana should consider herself lucky to get such an author-backed role so early in her career and that too opposite Urvasi. She has screen presence, but needs to hone down the histrionics. Kunchako Boban shaves off his moustache to look like a college student and succeeds in doing so to a large extent. Veterans like Mukesh and Lalu Alex had done their part well. Mummy and Me, overall is a watchable film with a good storyline. It won’t make you feel bored but don’t expect too much.