Due to financial reasons, Gautham Vasudev had stayed away from direction for a while. After a brief hiatus, he debuted in Malayalam cinema with the film Dominic and the Ladies Purse. Notably, the movie was produced by Mammootty, who also played the titular role. Now, the question is whether Gautham Vasudev proved his mettle as a director with this Malayalam debut. Let’s have a look now!
Dominic and the Ladies Purse Movie Story: C.I. Dominic (Mammootty) loses his police job due to a fake certificate. He then starts a private detective agency, taking on small cases to make ends meet. He is joined by Vignesh (Gokul Suresh), an assistant who works without a salary. Together, they handle blackmail cases and get by.
One day, Dominic takes on a case at the request of his landlady Madhuri to investigate a lady’s purse found in a hospital. He discovers the purse belongs to Pooja (Meenakshi Unnikrishnan) and assumes the case is closed. However, he learns that Pooja has been missing for four days.
As Dominic starts digging into Pooja’s disappearance, a mysterious woman named Nanditha (Sushmitha Bhatt) becomes a puzzle he can’t solve.
Who is Nanditha? What happened to Pooja? What shocking truths does Dominic uncover during his investigation? How does he solve the “Ladies Purse” case? To find all the answers watch the movie.
Performances: In most movies, when Mammootty is present, other characters rarely get elevated. However, Sushmitha Bhatt’s screen presence in this film is so strong that even Mammootty fades into the background at times. Her portrayal of the character Nanditha is pivotal to the story, and its importance becomes clear as the movie unfolds. Sushmitha’s ability to bring out the character’s different shades through her eyes and expressions stands out as a major highlight of the film.
Mammootty’s timing is another key aspect of the movie. The role suits his age perfectly, and the character is portrayed very realistically. Even the action sequences are designed to be simple, making it less demanding for Mammootty.
Venkatesh, as the house owner, and Gokul Suresh, as the assistant, seamlessly fit into their roles with impressive performances. Seeing Vineeth on screen after a long time is refreshing, although his character doesn’t have much prominence in the story.
Technical Aspects: Gautham Menon’s films are typically known for a slight lag, and this being a Malayalam movie, the pace feels even slower. Since the story was written by another writer, Gautham’s signature storytelling was missing in parts. However, his touch was evident in the climax, where he creatively compared a small fight sequence to a dance performance.
While this may not be a full-fledged comeback film for Gautham Menon, it serves as a reminder that the filmmaker in him is still very much alive. There were minor flaws in technical aspects like editing, coloring, and DI, but the production design and artwork compensated for them. The cinematography was decent, and while Darbuka Shiva’s songs were average, the background score left a stronger impression.
Analysis: In thrillers of this kind, screenplay plays a crucial role. However, the narrative crafted by Gautham Vasudev Menon, along with Neeraj and Suraj, lacks both pace and intrigue. Audiences can guess the twists even before they are revealed. If more care had been taken in this aspect, it could have turned into a solid thriller.
That said, the film is still worth watching in theaters for its stylish execution, Mammootty’s impeccable timing, and Sushmitha Bhatt’s standout performance in Dominic and the Ladies Purse.
Verdict: Dominic and the Ladies Purse delivers a mixed experience. While the screenplay lacks the sharpness needed for a gripping thriller, the film compensates with its stylish direction, Mammootty’s charm, and Sushmitha Bhatt’s remarkable performance. It’s worth a watch for its unique moments, but it falls short of being a standout thriller.
Bottom Line: Watch it for Mammootty’s charm and Sushmitha Bhatt’s standout presence!
Rating: 2.5/5
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