Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway: A Melodramatic Struggle that Falters
Director: Ashima Chibber
Cast: Rani Mukerji, Anirban Bhattacharya, Neena Gupta, Jim Sarbh, Tiina Tauraite
Rating: 2
Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, directed by Ashima Chibber, begins with noble intentions, but the film's execution falls flat. Despite a central theme centered around a mother's fight against an alien foster care system, the film struggles with overwrought melodrama and inconsistent character portrayals.
The plot revolves around Debika Chatterjee (Rani Mukerji), a mother separated from her two young children in Norway due to a misunderstanding with the local Child Welfare Services. The film attempts to paint the entire foster care system as malicious, using brazenly broad strokes that oversimplify the complexities of such situations. Unfortunately, the film's strident and unsubtle approach undermines the genuine emotional core of the story.
While based on a true story, Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway fails to ring true due to its heavy-handed treatment of the character's ordeal. Debika's despair, instead of being a genuine cry from the heart, transforms into a shrill spectacle. The clash of cultures, a common theme for immigrants in adopted countries, is portrayed without nuance, turning the character's struggle into a melodramatic showcase.
Rani Mukerji, a performer of proven ability, is let down by the writing. Her portrayal of Debika oscillates between being rattled and raucous, preventing the essence of the character from shining through. The film's unrestrained melodrama, especially in courtroom scenes, further distances the audience from Debika's plight.
The screenplay, adapted from a Kolkata woman's published account of her experiences with Norway's child protection system, is erratic and fails to capitalize on the emotional depth of the story. The film's preferred mode of melodrama prevents it from fully embracing the persuasive real-life narrative.
Despite moments where Mukerji finds her stride in the second half, the damage inflicted in the first half leaves little for the film to salvage towards the climax. Supporting actors like Anirban Bhattacharya and Jim Sarbh deliver more refined performances, but the film revolves around Mukerji, making others appear insignificant.
Inconsistencies in character development, especially with Debika's husband and the lawyer representing her, contribute to the film's overall lack of cohesion. The portrayal of other women in the story, including Neena Gupta's fleeting cameo, is disappointing, providing little depth to the supporting characters.
In the end, Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway is an overheated affair that fails to do justice to an intrinsically moving story. The film's excesses overshadow its noble intentions, resulting in a disappointing cinematic experience.
