Ordered this film through Netflix because there is a large Indian population here, and I thought maybe this film might give me some insight into their culture and the transition to ours from theirs. I never expected the film to be this good.
Although it is set around Indian (Bengali) culture, it's really a film that transcends culture. It's about anyone who longs to branch out of the culture they grew up in, whether that culture be ethnically based or socially based or any other culture of our society. That said, it shows some wonderful insight into Indian culture with some gorgeous images (gosh, the women are just so . . . feminine). There are also some wonderful shots, and the director, Mira Nair is female and very talented. (Have to support those female filmmakers.) The acting is great, the shots beautiful, the characters well defined (with the exception of one stereotyped character that you'll pick out in a millisecond); it's really a very nice film.
The trailer is below, and the film is better than the trailer. Though the trailer suggests that the events of the film center on one event, that is actually not a very important part of the film and the film is much deeper than that. It's a good thing when a movie is better than its trailer--because this is one decent trailer.
It's about leaving your home, spiritually and physically. Having moved 2500 miles away from family, this film resonated powerfully for me, and this film has many very important things to say. I highly recommend it. This is an overlooked, and good, film.
1 comment:
I remember seeing it on the billboard at a local theater but unfortunately didn't see it. I like the films of Mira Nair, too. One of (if not her first) films is one of my favorites, called Salaam Bombay! (Exclamation point is part of title, I didn't add it.)
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