LGM Review: Cricketer MS Dhoni's Maiden Production Dents His Brand Value
Cast: Harish Kalyan, Nadhiya, Ivana, Yogi Babu and others
Director: Ramesh Tamilmani
Rating: 2 stars
Ace cricketer M S Dhoni steps into film production with Tamil film LGM (Let’s Get Married) and it is dubbed into Telugu with the same name. However, the tame and lackluster romantic comedy dents his hard-earned image on the cricket ground. He is known for pulling off even close encounters with his swashbuckling knocks and sixers’ but no such luck for the audience this time. As his director, Ramesh completely lets him down with an amateurish screenplay. No doubt, the basic plot of a young woman Meera (Ivana), resolving to get married to his boyfriend(Harish Kalyan), only after she finds compatibility with his future mother-in-law (Nadhiya) is contemporary, but the director couldn’t sustain the audience interests beyond a point on this ‘idea’. He tries to blend loads of fun moments into the narrative but it mars the show rather than enhancing it.
Ivana also suggests that both families go on a trip together, so she can gauge her compatibility with her future mother–in–law. This premise is rooted in the topics of patriarchy and sexism and how ‘tolerance’ is expected only from women and stuff to eventually trample over promising premise.
It is the story of two youngsters who are in love for two years. One day, when Harris proposes to Ivana, she agrees on one condition that she should find compatibility with his mother(Nadhiya) to avoid any problems post-marriage.
Besotted in love, Harish plans a trip to Coorg with the hope that his lover and mother would strike a chord and understand each other while staying in a holiday resort as they get time to spend together. Will Harris's hopes be dashed or two important persons of his life-mother and ladylove- will find compatibility? Check out in theatres.
There’s one scene in the film in which Meera tells Gowtham that she never imagined living with anyone else except him and how the idea of his mother living with them causes her great discomfort. It’s a sensitive plea, but the performances and the dialogue-writing don’t help. The premise needed more sensitive eyes and way more emotional insight—and the film has neither.
Harish and Ivana perform their roles with ease and Nadhiya stands out as a mother who has certain views about life. Popular comedian Yogi Babu evokes a few laughs but it is not enough. Director's dreary and slow-paced narration pushes the audience into slumber. Mirchi Vijay and Venkat Prabhu are just ok. The songs are just passable, while the cinematography is eye-pleasing in a few places.
No doubt, we need more producers like Dhoni who have a massive brand value but he needs to find the right script to play his helicopter shot and emerge a winner in a new arena too.
