I don’t get how well this movie has been received. Is it because audiences have been so charmed by the beauty of the two female leads that they’re blinded by how sappy and poorly directed this whole steaming pile of poo is?
I felt so sorry for some of the South African actors in this who were playing archetypes of the people who were either victims or perpetrators of the apartheid system. I was cringing for them it was awful to watch.
I couldn't agree more. The story is a pastiche of better movies/stories, the so-called characters are walking, talking clichees, and the dialogue is downright embarassing. I haven't read any of Sarif's novels, but if this film is a faithful adaptation of her work she should consider doing something else - because if the story told here, and the manner in which it is told, isn't the very definition of creative bankruptcy, I don't know what is.
If you want a period piece about two (arguably lesbian) women defying the social status quo and liberating one another, watch Fried Green Tomatoes. It's even set around a cafe, if that's the detail that caught your eye with this film ;-)
If it's the minority aspect that you're interested in (getting an inside look at another culture and all that), might I suggest Saving Face? It's also fairly by the numbers, but at least puts some sort of spin on the familiar elements.
And if it absolutely has to be the Indian community, there's always Bend It Like Beckham. No lesbians in that one, but we can always pretend that John Rhys Meyers doesn't exist...
But whatever you do, don't waste your time on this.
And if it absolutely has to be the Indian community, there's always Bend It Like Beckham. No lesbians in that one, but we can always pretend that John Rhys Meyers doesn't exist...I'm surprised that none of you have ever heard of Deepa Mehta's "Fire".
Well, since it's set in India proper, and not in an Indian immigrant community in another country, it doesn't really fit with the theme. But I'm not going to pretend I knew that before checking wikipedia ;-) Thanks for the tip!
As for Jules and Jess' "lesbian past", that's what I was alluding to - well, trying to, anyway. I understand why Chadha changed the script, and I actually agree with her reasoning, but still... damn.
I actually liked it, I don't how authetic the setting was, but the storyline itself while slow was good to watch.
They're full of words, of how I want you...how...I love you
I've found this film worth watching and very realistic. Maybe that is what bothers some people. It's not a fairytale, its outcome is what would probably happen in the real world. I suppose if it had some sort of violent or otherwise tragical ending, people would have rated the film great but this way they are a bit disapponted. I simply find it true and deeply humane.
The South African scenery and nature sights are very beautiful, actors are good, picture, camera very skillfull, so is the directing.
And the story about apartheid differs from previous apartheid movies I've seen, in a way that is less political but more humane.
I absolutely agree with you.
shareYes, I am sure the audience was charmed by the simple beauty of both the female lead actors... but I do not understand how you or anyone who did not like the movie, NOT see their acting as being tremendously expressive. The movie was focused on the simple, cornered but oppressed life of one woman... I don't think the director aimed to expand the storyline much further. I felt, the movie was very touching, realistic and warm (in a way)! I think you should try watching the movie again with a more open-mind and less expectations. We all aundience can't agree with every director's work (and vice-versa)... but we can be less CAPTIOUS about it. I loved the movie and the efforts of the maker & performers. Great work! I would advice everyone to watch it once, gives you a perspective of it's own, in a light but deeper manner :)
shareThis movie is amazing and not because of the attractiveness of the leads or the scenery or the history... the whole story is so unique but so usual. It's not a massive, dramatic and different story. It's a normal story of normal people and it is realistic. Its not trying to be anything it's not. It's not gone Hollywood and tried to make everything bigger than life and twice of volumptuous. It's deeply sad and depressing but that's not something that's openly shown. It's subtle, and the characters are so real and so true. There's nothing fake or dramatic or over the top about them. They're real and this story is so real. It's not trying to cover up past atrocities and pretend they didn't happen. It's showing it as it is- something that is rarely done in film today and the reason that I now will generally choose to watch only festival films... They just have that sense of being so real about them, that Hollywood and big-budget blockbusters don't have.
It's so hard to explain until you've seen it... it astounded me how real it is. And for the people who don't see it, well we don't all see things in the same way. I think you have to know hardship to be able to see it in things like this. You have to have felt and known what the characters have to be able to feel them. There's a reason these films aren't blockbusters but festivals. They're not meant to appeal to everyone.
Was a bad movie about a very bad time in history re: racist whites (apartheid) and crappy indian actors/actresses. 4/10
"The pain only reminds us that we are alive."