Mr. Perfect Review

Big-ticket big-hero Telugu flicks have 2 guaranteed audiences-breaking-into-hysterical-raptures moments: 1. when the hero makes his entry; 2. when Brahmanandam/Ali makes his entry. And the one battle that most of these movies fight (and lose) is the one to sustain these mood-elevating spikes a while - even minutes - after they set in.

But sometimes, just sometimes, in walks a film that sticks to the basics. Which works just fine in dealing with that increasingly sad, futile battle.

Mr. Perfect fits into your traditional love triangle template, and its only claim to being contemporary happens to be its cast's wardrobe, and some well-meaning parental gyan that seeks to gently counsel "this generation". Yet, it's a flick that is as summer-y as the day is long, and while it might not make you 2 notches smarter, it manages to keep you well-fed and contented for as long as you remember having watched it.

Vicky (Prabhas) is this headstrong and ambitious guy who is convinced that living for oneself is the only way to remain happy, and more importantly, sane. And when Miss Goody Two-Shoes Priya (Kajal Aggarwal) willingly changes her tastes and habits because she's smitten by him, he can't take it.

Enter the woman Vicky thinks is great for him - Maggi (Taapsee) - thanks to their matching-matching tastes and beliefs. Will Vicky and Maggi stick? Will Priya be left the quietly-sacrificing Betty to an Archie smitten by his monomaniacal ways of thought?

Mr. Perfect is frothy family (yes, you can take the kids along and not wince) fare. Despite the fact that you can see things hurtling towards you light years before the characters on screen seem to, the film is put together well, and lets you savour the little delights it sprinkles in your path.

Vicky and Priya hate each other (yawn) initially, but after the juvenile pranks are done with, they end up bonding over some good ol'fashioned pelli-sandadi, amidst bouncy banthipuvvulu, bustling wedding preparations and charming village vignettes.

Overall, Mr. Perfect has lively banter, a good dose of melodrama, and a rather straightforward emotional tangle to deal with. Plus, there's Brahmanandam's Jalsa Kishore occasionally doling out some base-level comedy, that might work for you if you're willing to let it.

Prabhas is a star, and is one throughout the film. Having managed to keep his lazy drawl and even turn it into a personal style of acting, he's also an eyeful, and is now a force on equal footing with the other biggies.

Kajal Aggarwal comes across as warm and cute, in a part that is an immense improvement over her role in her last on-screen outing with Prabhas. And as for Taapsee, this is her sanest appearance in Tollywood so far - plus, she happens to be good.

Needless to say, Prakash Raj, Nasseer, Murali Mohan, Brahmanandam, Sayaji Shinde and Raghu Babu put in some effortless genius as usual.

The film also looks and sounds good, with pleasant music and visuals. What's more, the air-conditioning in these theatres generally never fails. Go for it - it's likely to stick around for some time.