Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway is a movie that draws inspiration from a real-life incident, and it tells the story of a mother's relentless fight to reclaim custody of her children from the Norwegian childcare services. The movie portrays the struggles of an Indian immigrant in Norway, who is deemed unfit to raise her children because of her aversion to the Norwegian way of life.
Rani Mukerji plays the lead character, Debika, a young Bengali housewife, who prefers to retain her Indian roots and customs, which is looked upon as bad parenting by the corrupt officers in the Norwegian childcare services. Her children are taken away from her, and she vows to use any means necessary to rescue them. However, her imprudent behaviour only helps to legitimize the abduction of her children under the guise of social work.
The movie raises some valid arguments on patriarchy and domestic violence being normalized in most Indian families, but it barely scratches the surface. Most characters are one-dimensional caricatures that don't go beyond their story's Wikipedia phase of research. Rani Mukerji, who has the potential to be effortless on camera, goes theatrical and excessive in the first half, but gets the tone of her character right in the second half.
Jim Sarbh gives the film its finest moments and uplifts it with his restrained portrayal of a lawyer of Indian origin in Norway, who questions the notion that adoptive parents. Amit Trivedi's music embodies the spirit of a fearless mother, but the movie's populist approach and dramatic execution undermine its impact.
Overall, Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway is an engaging watch that highlights the struggles of a mother fighting for the custody of her children, but it could have been a far more nuanced and effective portrayal with a solid actor like Rani Mukerji at hand.
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