‘Padu’ (2024) Netflix Movie Review - Delayed, Not Denied

Padu is a Malaysian film covering how the Malaysian women's team has bagged the maximum number of golds at the SEA Championship. This story highlights the lives of the players while also showcasing their hardships. The film starts with the Malaysian women's basketball team losing at SEA and this was mainly attributed to Izzati’s missed shot. Had she placed it correctly, the team might have gone home with gold and not bronze. But, the question that remains here is that even if Izzati had placed the shot right, couldn't there be other reasons for losing the game? If a team wins, it wins collectively and even when it loses, the blame has to be shared equally. Unaware of the fact that the film is a tribute to these famous players, I watched it as a film. In the end, it's shown that the movie is a tribute and that's when the injustice hits you.

If I'm watching a film which has been made in honor of great basketball players then, what's the point or motive behind inculcating useless dramatic effects? The audience would be more interested in how the team turned things in their favor, not in who did drugs or outed their own teammates. This is now how Padu should have been made. The writers have picked up various storylines, kept them hanging, and suddenly at the end, everything is made to appear perfect. Dangal, a Bollywood film, would serve as an ideal example of how every ingredient needs to be in the right proportion. It's only in the last twenty minutes where patriotism has been shown.

All except for Mulan, Chantelle, and Izzati's casting seem to be a misfit. The energy charts portrayed don't match the ones required. The actors are hyperactive in all the scenes which makes the scenes have vague energies. Also, the order in which the story unfolds feels chaotic once you reach the end. Kalai’s plot came up with a lot of expectations and somehow they ruined it too. If you look at Mulan’s story, you get to learn to value family. The same goes for Izzati however she also taught us how to never leave anything in the middle. Kalai’s lesson was fighting against the family to achieve her dream. Ana’s was how one shouldn't let go of one's beliefs. Just like these four players, you get to learn little things from the coach as well as other team members.

In all, Padu could be better if it wasn't a tribute. I liked the film and disliked how it was forced to be something that it isn't. It's a good one-time watch and this 97-minute film didn't show sportsmanship (which had to be the core). The first half of the movie is far better and more focused than the second part. Having a balance is a tricky thing and the movie fell off it at the most crucial stages. There are many inspiring dialogues written which will motivate the audience to do something for their country.

Final Score – [6/10]
Reviewed by - Riya Singh
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Publisher at Midgard Times