Cert PG
153 mins
BBFC advice: Contains mild bad language, violence
Second up of the Indian cinema double bill on Sunday involved a drive for my debut at Mansfield Odeon and Jibu Jacob's Malayalam family comedy hit, Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol.
According to Jacob, this was a film which was tailor-made for superstar Mohanlal who plays a disenchanted father-of-two who is bored with his job, journey to work and, mostly, his wife (Meena).
Therefore, he strops around, sneering at people on the bus and at work and is tetchy towards his unhappy spouse.
In fact, their relationship has degenerated to her sleeping with the children and him going out and seeking solace in a glass of whisky with his friends.
Indeed, he and his mates come across as uncaring male chauvinists who have become lost in their own self-pity.
Suddenly, however, there is a moment which makes him realise that he needs not only to get his act together but also appreciate his wife.
In fact, the penny drops that she the best woman around and he can achieve fulfillment from family life.
This could be an opportunity for me to condemn the schmaltz of Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol but, as readers will know, I already think my wife is a saint for putting up with my vast array of idiosyncrasies.
So, in principle, I rather liked a movie where the wife is the heroine and it takes a jolt for the miserable hubby to realise it.
However, I have a bit of a problem with Mohanlal. I know he is a superstar in India but I am never convinced by his screen charisma.
I have often complained about Indian male leads being too old but at least Salman Khan, SRK and Akshay Kumar have looked after themselves. This time, Mohanlal doesn't even shave the hair on his back!
And he is always partnered with women who are a lot younger. In the case, Meena is 16 years his junior.
Therefore, instead of empathising with his performance, I just became distracted by him. This became worse when he tried to play lover-boy. I just wanted to cringe.
But what do I know? This bloke has won more acting awards than I have had hot dinners.
Reasons to watch: it rightly makes the wife the subject of devotion
Reasons to avoid: Mohanlal's back hair!
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 5.5/10
Star tweet
Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol crossed 50 crores. Thanks to all who made this happen