Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse Movie Review: A Predictable and Overstretched Thriller
Duration: 02 Hr 32 Mins
Genre: Mystery Comedy Thriller
Release Date: 24 January 2025
Cast:
- Mammootty
- Gokul Suresh
- Sushmitha Bhatt
- Lena
- Viji Venkatesh
- Shine Tom Chacko
- Meenakshi Unnikrishnan
- Vineeth
- Saiju Kurup
Director: Gautham Vasudev Menon
Producer: Mammootty
Banner: Wayfarer Films & Mammootty Kampany
Music: Darbuka Siva
Plot Summary
The story revolves around C.I. Dominic (Mammootty), an ex-cop turned detective, who reluctantly takes up the task of finding the owner of an unattended ladies’ purse. The request comes from his landlord, Mrs. Madhuri (Viji Venkatesh), who discovers the purse during a visit to a hospital. What seems like a simple case of lost and found turns into a deeper investigation as Dominic uncovers the mystery behind the purse. Who owns the purse? Why was it left behind? And what secrets does it hold? These questions drive the narrative.
Performances
- Mammootty: Delivers a stellar performance, effortlessly blending subtle humor with his detective persona. His portrayal of Dominic is the saving grace of the film, holding the audience’s attention through its slow-paced sequences.
- Sushmitha Bhatt: Impresses in her debut as Nandita, bringing confidence and depth to her role.
- Viji Venkatesh: Excels as Mrs. Madhuri, with her character playing a pivotal role in the narrative.
- Vineeth: Makes a welcome comeback and does justice to his role.
- Gokul Suresh: Generates a few laughs as Dominic’s assistant, Vignesh, though his role is limited.
- Shine Tom Chacko: Appears in an insignificant role that fails to leave an impact.
Technical Aspects
- Direction & Screenplay: Gautham Vasudev Menon falters with a weak screenplay that lacks intrigue and excitement. While the pre-climax and climax showcase glimpses of his brilliance, the rest of the film is painfully slow and predictable.
- Music: Darbuka Siva delivers an underwhelming soundtrack and background score, failing to elevate the film.
- Editing: Anthony’s editing leaves much to be desired. At least 30 minutes could have been trimmed, especially irrelevant subplots that drag the narrative.
- Cinematography: Vishnu Dev’s work is decent, capturing the essence of the locations and adding some visual appeal.
- Production Values: The film maintains reasonable production quality, but it doesn’t compensate for the lack of engaging content.
Positives
- Mammootty’s effortless performance.
- The pre-climax and climax sequences.
- Viji Venkatesh and Sushmitha Bhatt’s supporting performances.
Negatives
- Predictable and unoriginal plot.
- Boring and stretched first two hours.
- Lack of tight screenplay.
- Weak music and background score.
- Poor editing with unnecessary subplots.
Analysis
Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse promises to be a unique blend of mystery, comedy, and thriller but ultimately fails to deliver on any of these fronts. The film’s biggest flaw is its predictability—most viewers will figure out the culprit’s identity early on, leaving little to look forward to apart from the “why.”
While the final act redeems the film to an extent, the journey to get there is tedious, with dragged-out investigative sequences that lack creativity or excitement. The lack of twists and the absence of a gripping narrative make the film feel much longer than its runtime.
Mammootty’s performance is the only reason to sit through the film, as he brings charm and subtle humor to an otherwise dull script. Unfortunately, even his efforts can’t save a film bogged down by uninspired writing and direction.
Verdict
Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse is a disappointing attempt at a mystery thriller, weighed down by a predictable plot, slow pacing, and uninspired technical work. While Mammootty shines in his role, the lack of a tight screenplay and engaging twists makes this film a forgettable experience. It’s best saved for a casual watch on OTT platforms.
Bottomline: Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse – Predictable, Slow, and Underwhelming
Rating: ⭐⭐¼ (2.25/5)
