Max, Min & Meowzaki Review: Adil Hussain, Mandira Bedi Star In A Purrfect Relationship Drama
· Free Press Journal
Title: Max, Min & Meowzaki
Visit saltysenoritaaz.org for more information.
Director: Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy
Cast: Adil Hussain, Mandira Bedi, Nasser, Nafisa Ali, Medha Shankr, Siddharth Menon, Vidhatri Bandi and Radha
Where To Watch: In theatres near you
Rating: 3.5 stars
Bollywood filmmakers have seldom featured a cat as a titular character in Hindi films (hello kaali billi in Ramsay’s horror flicks, a cat bhoot in RGV’s Raat {1992}, a kitten who’s killed in RGV’s Kaun {1999}). So, it was refreshing to see Radha the cat get a full fledged role as Meowzaki in Max, Min & Meowzaki. The film, which also pays a sweet tribute to legendary Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, will finally be available to Indian audiences this Friday. Read on to find out if it offers a bang for your buck.
Actors Performances
Adil Hussain as the strict and troubled Ramesh Mahadevan is very impressive. He has picked up the small nuances of Tamilian accent with elan. There are times when the sessions between Dhaara (Mandira Bedi) and Ramesh feel stretched but that’s purely because sometimes Mandira acts and there are times when she comes across as natural. Siddharth Menon (as Max) and Vidhatri Bandi (as Carol) have crackling chemistry. Both of them are good actors and emote joy, sorrow, loss and love beautifully. One ends up rooting for them to get together right from the very first scene. Medha Shankr as Min is wooden and very annoying. Her character (even though highlighted in the film’s title), lacks depth and probably is the weakest link in the story. She just comes and disappears every few minutes. Nasser and Nafisa Ali light up the screen even in their limited roles. The film explores themes of relationship dynamics, loss, love, fidelity, domestic violence, sexuality, conflict across three generations, ideologies, mental health issues and so much more and without a solid cast, it would not have been as effective as it is. Their performances save the film from feeling like the issues are cramed in just for the sake of it. Special mention to Radha the cat for lighting up the screen in every scene!
Music
This film has surprisingly good music. The songs Suhaana and Shree Maha Ganapataye are memorable. The background score elevates the mood and is well done.
FPJ Verdict
Max, Min & Meowzaki is a film that moves the soul. The cinematography and lighting are done tastefully. Sets, costumes and make up are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The editing could have been slightly tighter. The dialogues evoke a range of emotions. Though not seeti-maar types, they are memorable. Every time one thinks that they ‘know’ a character, director-writer Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy very cleverly introduces a conflict or twist that is bound to tease the mind and in certain scenes shock the viewers. Be it the Japanese element, how Meowzaki plays an important role in bringing people together, the references to “Voxapp University”, “Tender” or “Groogle”, the overall feel of the film is entertaining. One wishes Meowzaki got more screen time, but for a film industry that barely makes films revolving around felines, this one is sure to tug at your heartstrings.