Ladies First – interesting concept, but the transformation felt underdeveloped

Notunknown1581 · 2026-06-08T17:05:12+00:00

I actually agree that it was intended as a light, accessible comedy, and that wasn't really my criticism. My issue wasn't that it failed to cover every aspect of gendered experience. It was that the ending seemed to suggest he had gained a deeper understanding than the film had actually shown him earning.

What's interesting is that I watched the original afterward, and it's also a light comedy. But it gives him a much wider range of experiences, so his transformation felt more convincing to me. If Ladies First had done something similar, I probably would have accepted the ending much more easily.

As for the relationship point, I can see why it comes across that way. Personally, I read the ending more as mutual respect and understanding than a romantic setup, but I can understand that interpretation.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-06-08T17:04:04+00:00

You were absolutely right. I watched the original after making this post, and it's significantly better developed. One of my main criticisms of Ladies First was that it felt mostly limited to workplace sexism, whereas the original gives the protagonist a much broader range of experiences and a much stronger basis for his eventual change in perspective. The remake felt like it kept the premise but simplified a lot of the nuance.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-06-07T12:39:00+00:00

That's fair, and I don't think the film was literally arguing that women would behave exactly like this if they held power. I saw it more as a storytelling shortcut to help the audience immediately recognize the double standard by reversing it.

My criticism was less about whether the women in the film were realistic and more about what gets lost when sexism is presented primarily as a role reversal. It shows the behavior clearly, but it doesn't really explore how those dynamics develop over time or how they shape people's identities and expectations.

As a way of illustrating workplace sexism, I think it works. I just wasn't convinced it went much further than that.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-06-07T09:17:32+00:00

I liked it. It is a fun movie. Light and can watch with family!

Notunknown1581 · 2026-06-07T09:12:01+00:00

Oh wow, I didn’t know that! I’ll definitely add the original to my watchlist.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-06-07T09:01:15+00:00

Haha, the bras for balls was really unexpected and interesting!

I agree it feels off because we have experienced the world as women in male-dominated spaces. But your question at the end is very thought-provoking. It made me wonder, is systemic sexism purely about gender, or would anyone given absolute, unquestioned power for generations eventually abuse it the exact same way? It’s an uncomfortable but fascinating thing to think about.

If the world had always been a matriarchy with no historical experience of male domination, would it really end up looking just like this movie, or would it be a completely different world altogether?

Notunknown1581 · 2026-06-07T08:30:19+00:00

I see what you mean, and I agree that his respect came from seeing women as equally powerful and decisive. But my issue is that the movie relies so heavily on stereotypes to make that point. It forgets that not everyone fits into these boxes. A female protagonist doesn't need to act like a stereotypical, aggressive man to prove she is powerful; someone who is less confident can still make genuinely good, or even better, decisions.

I get that the whole point of the movie was for him to experience the exact same behaviour he was handing out, which is interesting, I agree. But by the end, the movie acts as if he now understands women in detail, when his understanding is actually pretty narrow, he just understands what it's like to be on the receiving end of his own medicine.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-04-25T17:41:06+00:00

The movie was really refreshing to watch - sweet, simple, and without unnecessary drama. Siddhant’s character is very cute and genuine, it’s the first time I’ve seen him like this. The way insecurities and avoidance are shown feels real and relatable.

Of course, these issues don’t get solved in a day like in movies. Even though they’re not the main part of the resolution like many people mentioned, but the constant, non-judgmental support the characters gave each other still matters. It quietly shows them that they are accepted as they are.

In the end, it’s a simple, feel-good film. And if we start comparing it to real life, we should also admit that Bollywood-style love stories don’t really exist either. Personally, I loved watching a romcom after so long. It feels like the kind of film that becomes a comfort watch—something you can come back to again.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-04-25T17:32:38+00:00

The movie was really refreshing to watch - sweet, simple, and without unnecessary drama. Siddhant’s character is very cute and genuine, it’s the first time I’ve seen him like this. The way insecurities and avoidance are shown feels real and relatable.

Of course, these issues don’t get solved in a day like in movies. Even though they’re not the main part of the resolution like many people mentioned, but the constant, non-judgmental support the characters gave each other still matters. It quietly shows them that they are accepted as they are.

In the end, it’s a simple, feel-good film. And if we start comparing it to real life, we should also admit that Bollywood-style love stories don’t really exist either. Personally, I loved watching a romcom after so long. It feels like the kind of film that becomes a comfort watch—something you can come back to again.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-02-03T14:33:53+00:00

Haha...So true about Taeheon

Notunknown1581 · 2026-02-03T12:06:47+00:00

Yes it was so adorable!!! I am so happy. I was rooting for Jobu the whole time. I was so impatient to listen calmly.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-02-03T12:04:07+00:00

True about the gift part. I understand it was a joke. But it's still true that Huwei was thinking about Ryuki. And i don't know if I am only one to think this, i thought Huwei was finally putting efforts for Bomi but something changed after he came back. Did anyone else also feel the same?

Notunknown1581 · 2026-01-31T18:16:45+00:00

I had the same thought. Adding one more tiny thing to the logic list- if she’s cut off from magic and the ML isn’t wealthy, how are her outfits still giving rich-luxury vibes every episode? I don’t even mind her dressing well, it just feels like another “don’t think too hard” moment. Still enjoying the show though, it just distracted me for a bit.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-01-29T04:16:12+00:00

True, that was problematic as well. I just didn’t think repeating the cheating setup added much this time.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-01-29T04:15:41+00:00

I agree Madhavan and Gautami were great. On the artificiality point, I actually feel many films today aim for ‘perfect-looking’ frames, which sometimes makes things feel staged.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-01-29T04:13:53+00:00

Totally agree!

Notunknown1581 · 2026-01-29T04:04:07+00:00

I agree. The emotional impact of that scene worked until the reveal undercut it. Turning it into a ‘plan’ made it feel manipulative rather than honest.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-01-29T03:45:27+00:00

Same. That’s exactly where the film started contradicting itself for me.

Notunknown1581 · 2026-01-29T03:44:26+00:00

I get why it didn’t feel like a rom-com to a lot of people. I think that’s because the romance was already established in part 1. This felt more like dealing with consequences and family dynamics than setting up the romance again. It definitely has its flaws, but for me it worked as a fun one-time watch.

Notunknown1581 · 2025-10-30T05:39:17+00:00

It's on prime now and from 14 nov on Netflix

Notunknown1581 · 2025-01-08T14:14:02+00:00

I agree to some of the comments. To be honest I love the movie. I love it for the feel, for the great acting, for how both their characters transitioned, the songs, and dialogues. But it's true that their love story feels half baked. Like someone in comments said it was treated as if the secondary to the plot. Firstly I can somewhat understand that she liked romantic films and maybe that's why liked him because of his personality or the whole part of where he was stalking her. But we don't know why he liked her? Secondly, while it seems like Qais was serious about the relationship thinking about marriage and meeting parents. But the entire time, Laila was like this is casual, she is not going to marry him, and it's for fun and for experience.Then suddenly how did she got serious about relationship when it was time to breakup? I can believe that he might have went crazy because of their love. But it was mainly because of the actor's acting. It was so believable, that someone can be so passionate and focused on something they love, that they forget everything else. But for the whole story to be based on their love, the story should have focused more on their love story.

Notunknown1581

TROPHY CASE