It took me a little bit to get into this film, but ultimately -- except for the ending -- I really liked it.
First off, no one can accuse these filmmakers of using only handsome actors and beautiful actresses. The film is full of pretty common looking people.
In terms of the ending -- I generally dislike films where the conclusion is left up in the air and where there is not some justice (where appropriate). This film failed me in both instances, but I still liked what came before the conclusion.
Having said that, there are a number of things that make this film rather interesting: 1. A different take on the Indian people wanting the British out of India back in the day.
2. Some striking scenery.
3. 2 men trapped between 2 cultures.
4. Old Indian folklore.
5. No reluctance for the directors to show the abuse of Indian women by their husbands (not in a gratuitous sense).
6. A couple of plot twists that surprised me, but were logical.
Linus Roache plays the Brit managing a spice plantation who falls in love with an married Indian woman; I was not particularly impressed, although he did his job. Nandita Das plays the Indian woman that is the central character in the film; she does very nicely here. Rahul Bose plays the Indian man caught between 2 cultures who becomes the ultimate victim of the film; not an actor I would want to see a lot of, though he plays his part well, particularly later in the film. Jennifer Ehle plays the British wife.
If you're not "into" Indian films, you may not like this, but if you do, you'll find this one a bit different and worthwhile.
First off, no one can accuse these filmmakers of using only handsome actors and beautiful actresses. The film is full of pretty common looking people.
In terms of the ending -- I generally dislike films where the conclusion is left up in the air and where there is not some justice (where appropriate). This film failed me in both instances, but I still liked what came before the conclusion.
Having said that, there are a number of things that make this film rather interesting: 1. A different take on the Indian people wanting the British out of India back in the day.
2. Some striking scenery.
3. 2 men trapped between 2 cultures.
4. Old Indian folklore.
5. No reluctance for the directors to show the abuse of Indian women by their husbands (not in a gratuitous sense).
6. A couple of plot twists that surprised me, but were logical.
Linus Roache plays the Brit managing a spice plantation who falls in love with an married Indian woman; I was not particularly impressed, although he did his job. Nandita Das plays the Indian woman that is the central character in the film; she does very nicely here. Rahul Bose plays the Indian man caught between 2 cultures who becomes the ultimate victim of the film; not an actor I would want to see a lot of, though he plays his part well, particularly later in the film. Jennifer Ehle plays the British wife.
If you're not "into" Indian films, you may not like this, but if you do, you'll find this one a bit different and worthwhile.