Dominic and the Lady’s Purse review: Mammootty, Gautham Menon entangled in film parts
Dominic and the Lady’s Purse Movie Review: Director Gautham Menon’s Dominic and the Lady’s Purse, starring Mammootty, Gokul Suresh and Lena, is a slow-burning investigative drama. The film has a lot of potential but doesn’t quite translate.

Release date: January 23, 2025
Malayalam superstar Mammootty and his film choices over the years have been incredible and eye-opening. From doing A Kaathal to Brahmayugam, the actor is all for experimental films and is giving all his choices to his fans. And when he chooses to join hands with Tamil filmmaker Gautham Menon, it definitely excites every film buff who has followed his career paths. Has Dominic and Ladies Purse lived up to expectations? Let’s find out!
Dominic (Mammootty) is a former police officer who now runs a detective agency. He is a laid-back man with a quirky sense of humor. As he goes through some financial issues, his landlady gives him a task to find the owner of a purse. In return, she will waive the rent. Dominic and his colleague (Gokul Suresh) go on a mission to find the owner of the purse.
Although it sounds like a simple investigative thriller, clues from the misplaced purse open up an unsolved case about two missing people. Who is the owner of the purse? Who are the missing people? How does Dominic solve the case? All queries are answered in approximately two hours and 30 minutes.
Here is the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9TAHGLAHHS
Director Gautham Menon’s last few films and their success have been quite on and off. With Dominic, he has entered Malayalam cinema with a Mammootty-starrer. Malayalam cinema has given audiences many slick thrillers that stand the test of time. And with Gautham Menon being an investigative thriller, it adds a mysterious tone to the film. However, Gautham Menon goes for a simple and traditional thriller that relies more on Mammootty’s quirky character.
However, the simplicity of the story is a great danger. It became too simple for its own good. Gautham Menon’s choice to break the fourth wall in certain moments is refreshing to see, but it may act as a distraction in the larger scheme of things. Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse come together in its final act, where the film springs a surprise.
While Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse had great elements that could have played out in an intriguing whodunit thriller, Gautham Menon’s approach doesn’t quite mesh well. It is actor Mammootty who carries this film with his effortless performance. His character and its quirks make Dominic an interesting character.
Gokul Suresh and his support to Mammootty’s Dominic is enough for the film. Vijay Venkatesh and Shushmita Bhatt’s Malayalam slang is not on point. That said, Veena Nair gives a standout performance. An investigative thriller, it also relies heavily on its surprises and music. Here, Darbuka Shiva provided an Indian version of the Sherlock Holmes music, which was a nice addition to the film, which is a thriller.
That said, Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse is a neat effort that could have used more surprises to keep the proceedings interesting.