MIMI REVIEW AND ANALYSIS - A PREDICTABLE JOURNEY INTO MOTHERHOOD ?

Source: NDTV.com

Laxman Utekar's Mimi starring Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi, and Sai Tamhankar was set to release on the 30th of July on Netflix and Jio Studios. The movie was mistakenly released early by Jio Studios due to which it became leaked on Torrent sites. So, the filmmakers had to release it four days prior. (Wikipedia)

Mimi Summary (Spoiler Free)

Mimi is a remake of the 2010 Marathi Film 'Mala Aai Vhhaychy!' An American couple who is looking for a surrogate mother for their baby comes across Mimi through Bhanu (Taxi driver). Mimi is an aspiring Bollywood actress who does stage performance in a hotel in Bikaner along with her friend Shama who sings for her. Mimi agrees to become a surrogate as she would get a handsome amount in return. When the couple finds out that the baby would be born disabled, they run away asking Mimi through Bhanu to abort the child. This decision of them brings Mimi to helplessness.

Mimi Review and Analysis (Includes Spoilers)

The story of Mimi is nothing unpredictable. If you've seen the trailer, you know 90% of the plot. You can easily predict the later part of the movie too. 

The movie does show the conservative ideas of small-town parents who are initially reluctant to embrace Mimi's pregnancy. However, they do shift immediately which sort of inspires an initiation of acceptance because in the end she is your daughter and she needs to be taken care of. Unlike other typical grandmothers, Mimi's dadi becomes the first one to accept the child and forgive all of Mimi's lies. 

The makers also put forth Anti-Abortion ideology. Mimi says, 'The child is alive inside the womb too. If it is a crime to kill it outside, why is it not a crime to kill it inside?' Besides, none of her family members or friends consider abortion as an option.

The movie also shows the emptiness of a childless life. Even after 12 years of marriage, Bhanu and his wife are childless. Shama too is a childless divorcee. The birth of Mimi's child brings happiness in all of their lives. All of these supportive people do not let the child feel the need of a Father.

Just like any other Bollywood movie, Mimi has one song for every situation. However, all the songs are related to the plot which makes it fair. One song that will remain with you even after the movie is 'Rihaayi De' with A.R. Rahman's voice.

The first part of the movie will make you laugh hard while the second part will make you cry.

Weak Points

The movie has failed to express more through the point of couples who opt for surrogacy. The movie could have been enriched by addressing why couples choose surrogacy over adoption. It could also have been better if it included legalities in detail.

Mimi had taken the decision for the sake of money. It is later when she realizes the beauty of motherhood and decides to raise it. The movie completely ignores the part where Mimi should have identified her decision of being a mother 'for money' as 'wrong' or 'right'. 

You'll be very upset to see the character Shama of less importance, who is casted only to provide a home for Mimi during her pregnancy. When Mimi is hesitant to accept the baby initially, Shama promises to take care of the child. Later, when she gives birth, there is no any such conversation between the two.

Performances (Spoiler Free)

Pankaj-Kriti duo has already given us a laughter riot in Bareily Ki Barfi. The small-town character of Kriti as Mimi is somewhat similar to Bitti in Bareily ki Barfi. So, you can't really say that Mimi as a person is something new for Kriti but the emotions she goes through are absolutely new and not less than a roller coaster ride. The effort of Kriti Sanon is clearly visible as she has played so intensely on camera which she has never done before. She has even gained some weight for it. She has nicely portrayed herself through helplessness, realizations, happiness, motherhood, sacrifices, and surprises. She proved herself as one of the very few actors who can actually 'cry' realistically and make you cry too. 

Pankaj Tripathi as usual has given an incredible performance. Pankaj as Bhanu is one such figure who we all wish to have in life, who seeing us go through a lot would not leave us behind after business. Sai Tamhankar as Shama has also done everything a good friend would. However, she could have been giving a lot more to do. You'll also get to see Manoj Pahwa and Supriya Pathak in the role of Mimi's parents.

In conclusion, Mimi is a mediocre movie that could have been better if written more detailly. Filmmakers these days show half the movie in the trailer itself. Maybe the makers tried to focus more on the emotions than the story. But still, it is better to keep some story behind the curtain and gift the audience with surprises. Having said that the story is predictable, it is still something that is real and happens to so many surrogates which is why it is still recommended to watch.

Mimi is now streaming on Netflix.