Sharaf U Dheen’s ‘Pet Detective’ Revives Slapstick Comedy, But Falters on Story | Movie Review

KOCHI: Sharaf U Dheen’s latest film, “Pet Detective,” is lighting up theaters with collective laughter, aiming to revive the classic slapstick comedy genre once dominant in Malayalam cinema. The film, which draws comparisons to iconic Priyadarshan and Siddique-Lal movies, delivers a high dose of spontaneous humor but struggles with a weak and repetitive script.

“Pet Detective” follows a struggling detective’s desperate attempts to solve at least one case to prove his worth. The plot kicks into gear when a mysterious object falls into his hands, setting off a chaotic and comical chain of events involving multiple groups. The film culminates in a grand, confusing, and hilarious climax set in an amusement park.

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While Sharaf U Dheen shines in his lead role, showcasing his signature comedic timing, the standout performance comes from Jomon Jyothir, whose impeccable counter-dialogues steal the show. The film also features strong supporting performances from veteran actors like Ranji Panicker and Vijayaraghavan.

However, the film is not without its flaws. The first half is criticized for its slow pace and repetitive plot points, which make the narrative feel tedious. According to the review, the screenplay has numerous loopholes and lacks a cohesive structure.

Despite its narrative weaknesses, the film’s relentless comedy largely succeeds in covering up the script’s shortcomings. Technically, the movie is well-crafted, with praise for Abhinav Sunder Nayak’s editing, Anand C. Chandran’s cinematography, and Rajesh Murugesan’s music.

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The final verdict is that while “Pet Detective” fails to be a consistently brilliant entertainer due to its flawed script, it serves as a fun, one-time watch for audiences seeking a pure, laugh-out-loud comedy in an industry currently saturated with thrillers.