Wonder Women (2022) User Reviews

I haven't learnt film-making to write this review, but here's an attempt! [+41%]

[arungeorge13 · 4/10 · 18 November 2022]

Anjali Menon hires an incredible ensemble of actors for Wonder Women, a film that attempts to perceive the pregnancy phase a little differently. Some pregnant women from various walks of life have gathered at Sumana, a pregnancy care center run by Nandita (Nadiya Moidu) to address their feelings, anxieties, and struggles. It's a pertinent, poignant theme, of course, and in the able, feel-good hands of Anjali Menon. But at just 75 minutes, the film lacks a definite flow to it. Scenes are simply stitched together without connective tissue, and it's just the warm performances that keep it afloat. Nithya Menen and Padmapriya look dashing and offer some solace in a largely inept and cursory screenplay.

Parvathy Thiruvothu felt wasted in an emotionless role which probably could have been impactful in a longer film. Amruta Subhash puts up a good act, but the predictable writing renders her a mere unifying device in the rushed climax. Nadiya Moidu is lovely, and I wish her character too had better emotional payoffs. The men are conceived more kindly through Menon's eyes, and while that's a breath of fresh air, they end up being mostly inconsequential and forgettable, with generic problems and generic solutions. Noone's questioning the intent of hope yet it's hard to see why a writer like Anjali Menon chose this specific storytelling style for this subject. Govind Vasantha's music and Manesh Madhavan's cinematography also don't do much to elevate the film.

Boring movie

[dijeeshevoor · 1/10 · 19 November 2022]

I still don't know why it's called a malayalam movie. The subject is significant but the director has misinterpreted it. I guess only those who speak English can have pregnancy. Utter waste of time. All different characters gathered under a roof. And it is not clear how they are managing to reduce their stress and getting ready to welcome their new guest. Parvati and padmapriya proved once again their talents. Nadia also performed well. But the matter doesn't have the support of a story line. It could have categorized under a documentary. Never watch a movie with much expectations regarding its director or script writer.

A film that could be watched by any gender but the essence of movie will be perceived only by women, because, it is made for women

[kavyayash · 10/10 · 28 November 2022]

This movie got me in tears, beautiful acting by all the actors, Parvathy is really a good actress, Nithya is the cutie pie she had my heart. This is not about a movie with exciting plot or it doesn't even preach anything, it's just to feel, exactly how the nature is to be felt. Great effort by the actors to make the movie an emotional affair and experience for the viewers. I have nothing critical to say about the movie, neither am I here to be a critic, I'm just here to express my gratitude for making such a movie to the makers and team. Women, watch this one, it's made for you.

Feminism

[sgodbole-34425 · 10/10 · 30 November 2022]

If you really want to see feminism in Indian cinema, this is the movie to watch. Men supporting women, women being fearless and women supporting women. Please take the time to watch it. Any Indian language + English speaker should try to watch it :)

The acting is really superb, specially Amruta Subhash and Nadiya Moidu. The men who have been cast with the women are also great. Along with this, the plot moves quickly as it tells the stories of several different women. The lighting and design is also fabulous. There is room for improvement in terms of the cinematography. I am very excited to see what Anjali Menon works on next.

Amazing performances

[kashmiras-34232 · 10/10 · 4 December 2022]

I just finished watching Wonder Women on Sony- super star Nadiya's new movie.

I have no words to describe it.. It's so wonderful.. Just simple yet deeply emotional.

I felt a surge of emotions and that feeling of being surrounded by loving sisterhood.

It's beautiful to be with people in similar situations..you relate, empathize, evolve! May it be for pregnancy or menopause!

I could sense that belonging The narrative is so genuine n simple What to say of Nadiya and the other actors...brilliant natural performances by all where you can actually feel one with their vulnerability. I recommend everyone to go watch this and feel the lump in the throat like I did.

Bold Attempt!

[livepakki · 9/10 · 4 March 2023]

Whether a film works for a person or not depends on various factors. I respect the filmmaker attempting such a topic for a fiction film in Malayalam language. Big time Salute for trying something unusual. Parvathy's solitude scene in cafe is my favourite. The way she behaves, the way she eats - minute details worked beautifully there, what a fabulous actor she is. The road sequence between the maid Grace and husband Kannan was quite good, it was pleasure watching their screen chemistry and the naturality involved. Nadiya Moidu, Nithya Menen, Padmapriya etc - they have all done justice to their roles. The Tamil Husband, Gypsy Guy, Nithya's partner etc - the men in the film. Interestingly they made their presence well too among the women gang.

Wonder Women is a lite movie with a very insightful suggestion.

[knharidas · 10/10 · 29 November 2022]

Wonder Women is a lite movie with a very insightful suggestion that is worth giving a serious thought. Transition from 'married' to a 'parent' and then on; demands a lot of effort and planning unlike may be the early days. Nuclear family, changes that took place in the society over a period, sacrifice of individual dreams and careers etc, the contributing factors are plenty.

May not be a fool proof solution but certainly a collective helps in getting over many hurdles when you are expecting to be a parent and once you are a parent as well.

Lite, simple narration, 'for the story' visuals and extending a thoughtful suggestion that many may/will connect with..

Good one, catch it on SonyLiv.

Beautiful and soulful journey

[rjyothi-63798 · 10/10 · 21 November 2022]

A beautiful and soulful journey for all the women who have gone through amazing 9 months of pregnancy. All the characters have done justice to their role, but Parvathi and Amrutha has merged to the role of Mini and Jaya. For film lovers Anjali Menon's movies are always like a gentle shower of rain, it always carries warmth and love, you feel you have seen or experienced these characters in your life. It is good the Director has thought through this and made it in English. I really wish it gets a good reach. I personally was able to connect to each character of the movie.

A must watch for all.

Wonder Women

[sumabalan · 9/10 · 22 November 2022]

English based multilingual film from Malayalam cinema!

SonyLiv

Director- Anjali Menon

No surprises here, am a fan girl. There are very few directors who have never disappointed- Mira Nair & Anjali Menon. All others are waveforms.

If I had a first day first show craving it would be for Anjali Menon's films. And sitting in a departure lounge with a long wait for boarding was the perfect setup to watch on SonyLiv this film that had released straight onto OTT just hours ago.

A powerhouse cast- of pregnant women. There's the arty Nora( Nitya Menen), the bubbly Veni ( PadmaPriya) the bindaas Saya( Sayanora), the simple Gracy( Archana Padmini) , the anxious Jaya( Amrita Subhash) and the sourpuss Mini( Parvathy Thiruvothu)and their antenatal class conductor Nanditha, the evergreen Nadia Moidu.

And with this retinue of women come mothers in law, husbands, boyfriends- anxious, uncomfortable, excited , absent .

Anjali Menon weaves a beautiful script through the lives and moments of these women from different backgrounds, outlooks, expectations bonding together as they course through antenatal classes familiarising themselves with their bodies in pregnancy, what's to come and responsibility of the baby ahead. This could have easily come off as scripted, tacky, pretentious and so fake - but that's the Anjali difference. Every woman brings in her own persona of realities, of her insecurities and her foibles all of which are so relatable. And the wonder and strength of female camaderie is so relatable as well. As well as the insecurities of the men involved.

She has you smiling, laughing, misting up - and for a brief hour and a half - lost in wonder with the Wonder Women.

This one isn't just for women , it's for everyone. Relatable to all. As for me, I will see it again on my home screen and wonder again!

Demystifying birthing and parenthood

[swapnainbox · 10/10 · 22 November 2022]

The closest film to touch on an often neglected aspect of being a mother. Motherhood is not always an idealistic role thats all roses and "acceptance" brewed under perfect circumstances, so often depicted and brushed off through beautifully sung lullabies in indian cinema. It's refreshing to have a consciously humble movie like Wonder Women deal with a topic that takes a pause and ponders on the little stories and scenes during the journey of motherhood that a woman and those by her side go through. So often this journey gets neglected in commercial cinema as just another expected benchmark . Very rarely has the non ideal scenario of motherhood been handled so sensitively in recent cinema. And it goes to the credit of the director and the ensemble cast consisting of some of the most talented artists indian cinema has to offer- to underplay their star value, to get under the skin of characters that could have just been me and my bunch of friends.

I loved the portrayal of not just the diverse depiction of different moms-to-be and situations , but also the men and their diverse reactions to parenthood stemming from their life experiences. Kudos to Anjali Menon and the cast and crew , for potraying parenting cinematically beyond gender and class levels and bringing it to us at its most basic raw human level , just as any of us would experience it in real life...

Absolutely in love with the movie- a Must watch.

[aashatmathew · 10/10 · 21 November 2022]

It's a story that is happening around us everyday and often is taken for granted. It's a story that needed much attention and Anjali menon has done an amazing job narrating and giving the user a beautiful experience as always. I loved loved the movie. My heart was filled with mixed emotions every minute throughout the entire time. A real feel good movie. The sequence of flow of events, the diversity of cultures that was brought in, the story of each women depicting many around us, how women often stay and portray as strong and yet have a volcano within them....was all very well crafted together. The highly talented cast who I felt was handpicked for those roles was yet another highlight of the movie I would like to see a version 2 as the kids grow and about the support system. It does indeed take a village to raise a child and the thought and feelings of the mother is often ignored. I watched it twice already!

Every women creates wonders!!!

A must watch!!

What a Good Movie

[faizalism · 8/10 · 15 February 2023]

Watch If you Love your Mother..Wife..Sister... Every woman... You should respect the motherhood

Its a very good movie in malayalam with good bgm wonderful dialogues

sheer poem good Movie.

Watch If you Love your Mother..Wife..Sister... Every woman... You should respect the motherhood

Its a very good movie in malayalam with good bgm wonderful dialogues

sheer poem good Movie.

Watch If you Love your Mother..Wife..Sister... Every woman... You should respect the motherhood

Its a very good movie in malayalam with good bgm wonderful dialogues

sheer poem good Movie.

Watch If you Love your Mother..Wife..Sister... Every woman... You should respect the motherhood

Its a very good movie in malayalam with good bgm wonderful dialogues

sheer poem good Movie.

Boldly Beautiful..

[prasadinbox · 10/10 · 22 November 2022]

Let me start by saying that there were few times that I could not control my tears...but most of the time I was watching with a smile on my face and eyes.

This is a must watch for all. While the movie centers around the journey of the pregnant women, it does not ignore the role of men. It beautifully depicts the range of emotions that are at times so different for the different characters but also very similar at times.

The casting is perfect - and the movie moves effortlessly from one character to another and gets you involved with all of their stories.

I think Anjali Menon should collaborate with a Brazilian Writer/Director and work on Wonder Women in Brazil...There is enough ethnic and socio-economic diversity in Brazil to make for a wonderful new movie...

Novel Experiment. I enjoyed.

[thisiskathakali · 9/10 · 22 March 2023]

Of course, Wonder Women is not in the same line in comparison with what Anjali Menon has done earlier. This 'short film' is made exclusively for OTT and this is also a movie made during Covid tough times. The subject is fresh, never seen before as a fictional film. Amazing bunch of actors. It was lovely watching Nadia Moidu on screen after a while. Individual performances helped in pulling off the film. Parvathy, Nithya, Padmapriya, Sayanora, Marathi actor Amrutha Subhash etc are all great. Archana Padmini - I love what she has done. A bunch of unknown actors also made the film fresh like in the case of mother in law.

A feel-good film

[artofcinema400059 · 10/10 · 3 May 2023]

Wonder women captures the nuances of female friendship and encapsulate it in a 1 hour and 20 mins timeframe. It's short and sweet at the same time thought provoking. Sumana is not just a birthing class but also a space where women from different section of the society ensemble and embrace sisterhood!

Nadiya Moidu's energy in the film is commendable at the same time subtleness of character played by Amruta Subhash make us wonder the choices women would opt to have a family. Nithya is bubbly and eye candy to watch ! Parvathy's mini was in a lot of turmoil which could have been detailed more. I had my teary eyed moment when Mini was not able to let go of the doll baby. Gracy was representation of a larger section of society and Archana Padmini did justice to the role. Sayanora was very comfortable playing Saya and as a debutant performer she has potential. Padma Priya's Veni was I think which was difficult to perform where she has to be soft & polite but at the same time strong and to the point.

A gentle feel good film it is.