MARY KOM MOVIE REVIEW

Sports movies are a rarity in the Indian cinema sphere. But the few that fall in this category such as Chak De India, Lagaan, Iqbal, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Apne, Lahore etc. have turned out to be memorable films for the viewer, more often that not. This being the case, director Omung Kumar's decision to bring to screen the story of decorated Indian female pugilist Mary Kom, deserves a round of applause straightaway. In a nation where sportspeople other than cricketers aren't accorded the deserving status and recognition, a film on Mary Kom's decorated career is definitely a step in the right direction. She is after-all a multiple World champion, multiple Asian champion and an Olympic medalist as well.

 

Omung seems to be in a hurry in the non-linearly structured first half and the film races to the interval point, when a married Mary gives birth to twins and is staring at an uncertain future as a boxer despite being an international champion. There aren't many scenes to establish Mary's struggles, hardships and training regimen as a boxer, and more screen time is allotted to her relationship with her father and boyfriend.

 

After the interval, Mary works her way back to the top in her comeback as a mother, and the film ends on a highly populist note with the real Mary Kom's pictures and achievements splashed on the screen. Though the melodrama in the climax bout is undeniable, almost the entire theater stood up for the Indian National Anthem played towards the end, thanks to the resultant positive sentiment and the respect that Mary Kom commands as a character.

 

Priyanka Chopra rises again as a performer and has put her heart and soul into the film. The spots on her face are authentic, the work done on her physique is evident and the accent changes are noticeable. Her intensity shines through in the mandatory training montage sequence (in her 2nd half comeback), in her boxing bouts and during her run-ins with a boxing federation official. When she exhibits her maternal instincts towards her twin babies, Priyanka is again A-Rate. This is another feather in her cap, which is already decorated with films such as Fashion, 7 Khoon Maaf, Kaminey and Barfi.

 

Mary Kom's biggest plus point is undoubtedly its casting with totally unknown faces (other than of course Priyanka) lending the much-needed authenticity and charm. Darshan Kumar as the supportive and sweet husband, Sunil Thapa as the taskmaster coach and the actors who play Mary's parents make a solid imprint on the overall product. There are some real-life boxers too, in the supporting cast.

 

Among the songs, the anthemic and fast-paced 'Ziddi Dil' is the best of the lot. Most of the songs are used to take the movie forward without being standalone segments, and consequently the movie's running time is just over 2 hours. The production design for the boxing gym is authentic and some of the outdoor shots are scenic. But the boxing bouts don't make the required impact as we are never shown the boxer's all-important footwork and most of the focus is only on the face and upper body.

 

To sum up, Mary Kom follows all the templates of a typical sports movie with all the Indian cinematic elements thrown in, but the personality in question and the feel-good factor make it a worthy film.