Movie Review: Mary Kom

By Sandipan Dalal

Genre: Biopic, Drama

Rating: ****

Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Sunil Thapa, Darshan Kumaar

Director: Omung Kumar

Language: Hindi

This is one of those boxing movies which is much more than boxing. It takes you to a place which is beyond ruptured cheeks, cracked jaws and fractured ribs of the protagonist— Olympic bronze-winning pugilist, MC Mary Kom (Chopra).

The movie gets down to business almost immediately when Mary, who, in a state of painful labour, begins to get visions of her obstacle-filled journey to the top as the country’s best female boxer.

The first half of the film largely documents her humble background (in the back of beyond Manipur) and her single-minded focus to become a boxer. In the second half, the film plunges headlong into her internal struggle when she is faced with the challenges of motherhood and a strong urge to excel in her career — bringing heartbreak and joy at the same time. Chopra's earthy charm, as well as assured and intelligent performance make good use of her reserves of talent and range as an actor.

While she deserves more than a pat on the back for having shadowed Mary Kom weeks before she got down to filming, kudos to her makeup and prosthetic team for having made her look the part. No doubt Chopra is the soul of the film, but co-star Darshan Kumaar also gives a wonderful performance as Onler Kom (Mary's husband).

Director Omung Kumar and creative director-cum-producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali have got a good grip over the narrative threads of the film, except for over-dramatisation of a few scenes and enthusiastic product placements (which had us gnashing our teeth). But overall, the film manages to be poignantly felt. Mary Kom is well on its way to being one of the most praised sports-based films since Chak De India and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

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