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By Janani K Six pregnant women, at different stages of gestation, arrive at Sumana, apre-natal class, run by Nandita( Nadiya Moidu). As Nora( Nithya Menen), Mini( Parvathy Thiruvothu), Veni( Padmapriya), Saya( Sayanora Philip), Gracy( Archana Padmini) and Jaya( Amruta Subhash) introduce themselves, Anjali Menon addresses the hot content, which is Hindi duty. Jaya asks Nandita to explain in Hindi as she does n’t know English. Soon, Nora, Saya, Veni and Gracy jump into the picture, saying that this is Kerala, a South Indian state,
where Hindi is n’t common. Jaya says Hindi is our public language and adds that she does n’t knowMadrasi.However, Jaya would have been destroyed by now, If this was passing on social media. But, this is where Anjali Menon comes in with empathy. She does n’t smear Jaya. rather, she calls Jaya assertive as she explains her situation. Soon, Nandita addresses about empathy and the women understand her point. This is exactly what defines Wonder Women. It reflects reality.
Director Anjali Menon’s Wonder Women is just a film about six pregnant women learning about parturition. It’s a film that talks about empathy, questions patriarchy, allows people to evolve without judgment and teaches couples to be oral. In short, Wonder Women isn’t just a film. It’s a well- informed take on the issues anguishing society.
Nora, Mini, Veni, Gracy, Jaya and Saya meet at the class for two weeks to bandy different aspects of gestation. Throughout the course, we get to learn their backstories and feel for the characters. Jaya and her hubby have been trying for a baby for a long time and failed thrice. Through treatment, Jaya is now pregnant. Nora is in a happy marriage,
but after gestation, she feels she and her hubby are drifting piecemeal. Mini is going through a divorce, while Saya is in a live- in relationship with a caring and sweet swain. Gracy, who comes from an economically weak background, is upset about making ends meet with the new baby. Veni is accompanied by her hypercritical mama – in- law and her hubby is always absent.
These are women we see and hear about every day. Wonder Women puts across the point of sisterhood explosively through these six women. When they form a Whatsapp group, one of them asks why women have to give birth lying down. A bit of exploration tells us that the position is comfortable for a croakerEveryone is shocked and so are we.
Wonder Women is instructional and yet engaging. In a scene, Jaya’s hubby pours his heart out and says that his womanhas gone through several treatments for a baby. He realises her pain and says that she’s his first precedence. also, Saya’s swain is agitated to be a father and calls her a goddess.
Saya says she’s just a temperamental and perverse woman. She’s also in denial because she ca n’t believe that her swain is sensitive and caring. These little bits show us the stark reality. From handling motifs like patriarchy, divorce and single parenthood, Wonder Women does its stylish to put across its politically correct opinions in the public sphere.
Wonder Women could fluently be labelled as a ‘ feminist ’ film. But, Anjali Menon makes it a point to include scenes that express how men aren’t entirely to be criticized. For illustration, Veni’s hubby says that he’s spooked to raise a child as it’s his first time. Veni says she’s there for him. Thepre-natal class opens a line of communication for the couple, who generally steer down from exchanges like these.
Nithya Menen and Padmapriya are excellent as Nora and Veni. So is Parvathy, who plays a single mama . But, it was Amruta Subhash who stole the show with her exceptional amusement. Sayanora Philip, Nadiya and Archana Padmini were perfect for their places as well.
Govind Vasantha’s music was apt for the film and created a sense-good atmosphere. Photographer Manesh Madhavan and editor Praveen Prabhakar helped in bringing together this awful film.Wonder Women is an informed film that addresses several pressing issues. It’s an ode to fatherhood, sisterhood and fellowship( in any form).
