Baby and Baby review: An unengaging mishmash of outdated conflicts and emotions

Stories that are set around baby mix-ups are as old as hills; several films have milked the theme to the hilt. Prathap’s Baby and Baby is the latest to join the bandwagon.

Billed as a family drama, its promo videos did not provide anything new, but the ensemble cast and humour were more than enough for movie lovers to look forward to the film.

After all, despite being a done-to-death subject, it offers ample scope for entertainment. Have the makers delivered a fun-filled drama?

Synopsis

Two families that uphold traditional and conservative values expect the arrival of a newborn. Little do they know that a weird mix-up would make the lives of the babies’ parents terrible in one way or the other.

The baby boy of one family being announced as the sole heir to its valuable assets makes things further complicated. This leaves a couple of cunning and greedy family members dejected. They plan a crime to stop the baby from becoming the heir to their wealth.

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Highlights and Drawbacks

Though the introduction of a few central characters happens in a jiffy, the premise of Baby and Baby is established without wasting much time. This helps the audience relate to the prime conflict, despite some of the scenes being staged in just an okayish manner.

The background of the two families and the details of various characters are presented quite enjoyably. Some of the situations and one-liners evoke laughter, keeping the conflict lively till the end.

The presence of a few seasoned actors helps some of the below-average scenes. The emotional angle attached to the mix-up, too, is likeable and convincing.

As far as the shortcomings are concerned, the film’s conflicts and poorly staged sequences remind you of the daily soaps. The predictability factor dilutes the intriguing nature of many scenes. The fight sequences and songs are unappealing and come across as fillers.

The background score is jarring and we wonder how to relate to some of the crucial moments in the film. A few one-liners fall flat and the jokes that appear during tense moments leave us scratching our heads. The film unsuccessfully attempts to follow some of the templates that were popular in the 90s.

The pop culture references do not land properly and the lack of cohesiveness is evident throughout the film.

Performances

The veterans Sathyaraj, Ravi, Ilavarasu and Anandraj give their best though their roles are underwritten. Ilavarasu stands out among them with his engaging histrionics.

Jai, who plays one of the leads in Baby and Baby, looks confused in many scenes as he essays a character without much detailing to it.

Yogi Babu depicts a role that he has played numerous times and manages to entertain us in parts. Pragya Nagra and Sai Dhanya deliver neat performances, but their scope to come up with a better outcome is spoiled owing to shallow writing.

Sriman makes his presence felt while the likes of Redin Kingsley, Thangadurai and Motta Rajendran are wasted.

Final take

Baby and Baby relies on the same old formula with a stellar cast, but fails to deliver because of the lack of depth in characters and outdated treatment.

The predictable screenplay and absence of high moments required in such a genre rub salt into the wound.

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(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)