MAHAPURUSH
Cert PG
151 mins
BBFC advice: Contains mild bad language, sex references, brief threat, upsetting scenes
I love trying to watch every UK film release because it allows me to embroil myself in so many different cultures.
On Saturday evening, I shared Birmingham Cineworld's screen 2 with one other person as we watched a rare Nepali movie.
My only knowledge about Nepal has centred on movies about life in the mountains and expeditions to Everest.
However, Mahapurush revealed how family and community relationships work in the city.
It stars Hari Bansha Acharya as a father who has spent much of his life bringing up his two sons (Arun Chhetri and Rabindra Singh Baniya) following the death of their mother.
They revere him but don't seem to understand that he has become lonely now they have grown up.
No surprise that he finds companionship with a woman (Gauri Malla) of similar age and interests but the sons are outraged.
This is partially down to their own self-interest - one believes any scandal could threaten his forthcoming wedding and the other fears it will jeopardise sales of his book.
Anyway, the poor dad is involved in an emotional tug-of-war, wanting some company and maybe love while his sons want him to think of them.
Meanwhile, it is interesting to see that some of the residents of his neighbourhood also condemn his actions as scandalous.
Sitting in Britain, it is hard to imagine how a widower finding love can cause such a ruckus but it is the subject of Pradip Bhattarai's entire film.
Acharya is pitch-perfect throughout. He portrays a lovely chap who is feeling the pressure of trying to please everyone and actually pleasing nobody.
But, I have to say, that I found the other characters, especially his sons, just plain irritating.
And, while this was an interesting cultural immersion, it was too slow to sustain a movie of two and a half hours.
Reasons to watch: Immersion in a different culture
Reasons to avoid: Quite slow
Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: Yes
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 6.5/10
Did you know? Pradip Bhattarai is one of the judges of the first Nepali comedy-reality TV show Comedy Champion.
The final word. Pradeep Bhattarai: "We have brought in our hero Arun Chhetri and I believe, after watching our song, trailer and movie, you will say, 'Nepali cinema has got a good man."
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