Reviews (149)

Extravaganza!
"Monsoon Wedding" is unlike any other wedding movie you have ever seen -- funny, sad, romantic, sexy, and full of whirling music and color. With superb acting and a lovingly fragmented storyline, this is an amazing movie. You'll feel all warm and fuzzy after seeing it. Love is in the air in Delhi!

An extended Verma family is overjoyed when Aditi, the daughter of the house, agrees to an arranged marriage with a young man now living in Texas. Unfortunately, she is only doing this because she doesn't believe her married lover will get divorced and marry her. As the wedding preparations swirl around her, she wobbles on the line of rebellion -- especially when she begins to really like her future husband.

Like the charming "Waking Ned Devine," this is one of those great movies that doesn't use a single stereotype; you could imagine these people in any part of the world. And like "Waking," the main plot isn't the only one: There is a charmingly hesitant romance between the harried, marigold-munching wedding planner and a shy young maid, a frustrated young boy's hopes to become a chef, a young woman trying to keep her niece safe, and a budding attraction between a pair of very photogenic teenagers. Of course, there are the staples of a wedding movie -- first everyone is giddy and love-obsessed, then they're freaking out because the tents aren't waterproofed. One of the funniest scenes has Aditi's frazzled mom going out shopping with curlers in her hair.

The direction in this movie is exquisite. Nair manages to capture actions as small as a girl tucking a flower in her hair, and makes it a vital element in the plot; at the same time, there is the camera swooping and ducking as a girl does a sexy, rollicking dance for the wedding crowd, cutting between a sweet, intimate wedding ceremony and the bouncing, joyous bigger ceremony. The colors of the movie are dazzling without ever being garish. The biggest problem is that often handheld cameras are used, and the result was making me dizzy. And English, Hindi and Punjabi are all spoken, sometimes shifting in mid-sentence, so keep your eye on the subtitles.

The actors are one of the best elements of "Monsoon Wedding." You don't get acting like this in most movies. The actors often will go through a scene with only one or two words, but their faces and eyes eloquently show what the characters are feeling. Vasundhara Das is pretty good as the conflicted Aditi, although she is probably the weakest performance of the film; Parvin Dabbas is charming and sensitive as her very tolerant fiancee; Naseerudin Shah is wonderful as Aditi's father, who is put in a horribly difficult position while under wedding stress; and Shefali Shetty crackles with repressed emotion as Ria. Tilotamma Shome is adorable as the maid Alice, and Vijay Raaz is delightful as her suitor.

There is some profanity, not really any violence. There is a bit of smut, but nothing too substantial -- the most disturbing element is a serial child molester going after Aditi's young cousin, and former victim Ria speaking out against him. These scenes are the only ones without a trace of humor or sweetness, and it makes them all the more intensely sad and powerful. And the soundtrack is outstanding, a mix of traditional Indian music and rollicking pop that had me bouncing in my seat.

"Monsoon Wedding" is a charming, delightful romantic comedy that makes the whole tired "wedding fiasco" plot seem fresh and charming again. So bring out the marigolds!

Awesome Movie- at last on DVD
This movie is awesome. Story line is funny, but not in a Jerry Seinfeld way- it's more sophisticated in nature. A superb love story between a soon-to-be-married girl, who's also scoring her ex-bf when the wedding procedure is going on, with a US returned handsome young man. They had their respect for this arranged marriage, and the groom decided he'll continue with the marriage even though he gets quite upset knowing that the bride still had relationship with her ex. When he bursts into emotions, she bursts into cry- perfect indian emotional outburst that leads the guy to let go all wrong of her soon-to-be bride. There is also a love thingie going on between the maid and the wedding planner- a very touchy poor class love story. There's also mention of a paedophile, which definitely is the reason why it was rated R, apart from some sexual situations. With traditional hindi wedding songs, and some western-minded views, this movie is definitely a milestone in indian film making. Thanks to Mira Nair, people from all over the world came to know about modern Indians once again. Recommended: Asoka (Quite like BraveHeart of India), DevDas (great emotional lovestory based on a Bengali classic novel), Salam Bombay (another movie by Mira Nair) and finally Maya Memsahib.

Once is Not Enough...
I rented this movie and enjoyed it so much that I immediately rewound it and watched it again; now THAT'S a first! And it was even better the second time around, as I didn't have to concentrate so hard for fear of missing something.

Cross-cultural/generational and traditional vs. modern themes have always been a favorite of mine, but here these ideas are explored in layered levels, w/ all of their subtle complexities. There is nothing hackneyed in this presentation. There are various subplots weaving throughout, carrying the viewer through many twists and turns at a perfect pace. Observing the wedding planner Dubey (Vijay Raaz) as he falls in love is especially sweet and charming and funny. Yet this film is by no means a frivolous fluff piece. It has its dramatic and unexpected moments, which serve to enrich one's understanding and empathy for the characters involved.

Oh, and did I mention that the music is delightful? Can't wait to get my copy of the soundtrack (it's on order) to play in the car. I'm also eager to view some of Mira Nair's other films, since she certainly did a superb job with "Monsoon Wedding".

one of the best
one of best movies I have seen

Great Movie
I watched this without any ideas about the script and actors/director. Probably have just read somewhere that it was a pretty good film. It started out slow, had my usual convictions about "ah..an Indian film, with people dancing and singing, and with funny accents when trying to speak English". But the film was funny, sweet, sexy & romantic, serious, dramatic and poignant all at different times. It turned out to be a most remarkable film, one of the best film ever produced. And best of all, the film was made in only thirty days, and was hit with things like actors' last minute withdrawals and casting of many first time actors/actresses. I'd never noticed!!! Better than most films Hollywood had produced since with budgets ten or a hundred times its size. You must watch this if you have the chance. Not to be missed. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you're looking for a deep, intelligently romantic movie with complex characters and a richly rewarding plot, don't bother with Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love. On the other hand, if you're feeling sexy and in the mood for a lush, seductive, and visually stunning film set in 16th-century India, this one will please you like the best foreplay you've ever experienced. Or it will relax you like a full treatment at a pampering spa--either way, you're gonna feel pretty fantastic. Okay, okay... maybe we're getting a little carried away, but there's no denying that director Mira Nair (best known for her acclaimed film Salaam Bombay!) has crafted a sumptuous film for the eyes if not the head. Its melodramatic plot is involving enough to elevate the movie high above soft-core adult fare, so you won't feel guilty after watching it.

Kama Sutra is the story of a young woman named Maya (the stunning Indira Varma) who has always been lower on the social scale than her well-born friend Tara (Sarita Choudhury), and has always lived in Tara's shadow, wearing her used clothes and being made to feel inferior. When Tara is betrothed to the handsome King Raj Singh (Naveen Andrews, from The English Patient), Tara sneaks into the king's tent on the eve of the wedding and seduces him. Later, after being trained to master the Kama Sutra's many "lessons of love," Maya will be the king's courtesan, and emotions will run high between the former best friends. But the plot is of secondary importance here (a fact that resulted in many mixed reviews), and so Kama Sutra works best as a colorful and irresistibly sexy story that is worth seeing just for the startling beauty of the film and its cast.--Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (78)

Kama for you.

KAMA SUTRA: A TALE OF LOVE
Indira Varma, Sarita Choudhury, Ramon Tikaram, Naveen Andrews 1996

Synopsis
Set in 16th Century India KAMA SUTRA is the tale of two girls, Maya - a lowly servant, and Tara - a noble princess, both raised together as children. Because of Tara's striking beauty and her skills of seduction learnt through the Kama Sutra, the Indian book of love, that Maya exacts her revenge on Tara by seducing her husband on her wedding day thus beginning a destructive struggle for power where revenge is the goal, but tragedy the outcome.

My Review
This movie really lacks any real substance. Could have been done a lot better. Disappointing.

In the best traditions of "1000 and 1 nights"!
This is, indeed, a Tale, a tale for adults... For in the East, it has always been known that adults NEED and enjoy tales no less than any child would.

This story is about LOVE (of course), true love broken by the society and its "powerful ones". In this case, the powerful one is a Prince, evil yet very sexy Naveen Andrews (Kip in "The English Patient"). The object of his desire is Maya, who is forced to become courtesan, after some unfortunate events. But, Maya was brought up as a princess...

Indeed, Maya grew up with the evil Prince's future wife-to-be, Tara, so it gets very complicated: Prince has beautiful Tara, but he desires beautiful Maya (they are both so beautiful, why not have them both?...Prince manages to do that for quite some time).

There is another amazingly beautiful woman in this film, whom I enjoyed seeing on screen once again: famous Indian actress, Rasa Devi, playing Rekha-- older courtesan and Maya's mentor, and what a wonderful mentor she is!

In short, Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love, is one of the most beautiful and most sensuous films in years. It is entertaining and at the same time philosophical!

It was nice to see "making love"-scenes, as oppose to random and mostly meaningless sex-scenes that seem to dominate today's cinema.

I only regret that there wasn't more dancing in this film. I also regret over-using the word "beautiful" in my review:)....but, in this case, it is more than appropriate.

Entertaining but Not Great
This movie, set in 16th century India, is a tragic love story. The movie actually centers around the character Maya (not played by Sarita Choudhury) who grows up as a servant and playmate of Tara (who is played by Sarita Choudhury). Both are somewhat jealous of the other - Maya because she gets Tara's hand me downs and is indeed treated like the servant she is - and Tara because Maya is more beautiful and accomplished than she is. On the night of Tara's wedding to a Raj, Maya slaps Tara during an argument, who gets revenge by sleeping with Maya's husband to be. Needless to say, Maya is driven from the house in shame. Forced into difficult circumstances she becomes the courtesan of Maya's new husband, and takes every opportunity to rub this fact in Maya's face. However, in the meantime she falls in love with a commoner and tries to re-forge a bond of friendship with Tara who quickly discovers being the wife of a Prince is not quite what she imagined it to be. As the tale unfolds, and the Prince finds out of Tara's betrayal, bad things ensue for all involved.

Overall this movie is a well-told story and the scenery is fantastic. Overall an entertaining if not great movie.

From a woman's point of view
This film's imagery is powerful and sensual...so rich and vivid that it seemed as though I could feel and smell the lush and exotic scenes. Throughout, the film is infused with light-hearted, but nevertheless heated, eroticism informed by female sensibilities. What is most surprising is that it does have a message; one might say that despite being set in 16th century India, it is a modern morality play told more than a little tongue-in-cheek.

Maya, born into a servant caste, and thereby relegated to a powerless situation in a rigid society, manages with daring, intelligence, and humor to live an authentic life. She acts boldly, at times, to shape her destiny; but she also accepts with equanimity the turns of fate that she cannot control. I think I can say without giving away anything that I love the final scene where, on the metaphorical path of life, she walks serenely out of the chaos and madness created by powerful men into the peace of her own future. Oh, that one might do as well in the madness of the 21st century.

Kama Sutra Plus more
This movie was beyond exceptional. It had beautiful people, costumes as well as scenary. I like it For this Movie and more visit us online for lingerire, kama sutra books games and online community. http://karmasutraexpress.com/enter.htm ... Read more

Amazon.com

Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding) adds her angry voice to the cinema offorgotten children in this wrenching drama of an 11-year-old boy (real-lifestreet kid Shafiq Syed) who heads to the big city and joins a sea of homelesskids and down-and-out adults scrambling to survive the pitiless streets. Thefantasy of Bollywood dreams hangs just out of reach in posters, movies, andradio tunes, momentary respites from the hard reality of a world ruled by brutalpimps and drug dealers. In the tradition of Los Olvidados andPixote, former documentarian Nair's feature debut is shot entirely in theslums of Bombay with a largely nonprofessional cast from the same streets.Though the drama is at times misty and melodramatic, her clear-eyed look at themercenary world around these ultimately fragile forgotten children earned herthe Caméra D'Or at Cannes in 1988. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The best film of all time!
I couldn't believe my eyes when I happened to be browsing through the foreign film DVD's and pulled out Salaam Bombay by surprise. I love this film! This is my favorite film in the whole world and in my opinion one of the best films ever made. After searching for such a long time for this film in which I finally found one used copy on VHS, having this film on DVD is a reale prize. Not only do you get the film itself and the quality of the picture is fantastic, but you get so many special features. A major highlight of this DVD is that you get special features with several of the actors that acted in the film. The features present recent interviews with Shafiq Syed the lead character in the film as well as with the other actors. These feastures are nice because you see the child actors in what they look like now and what became of their lives. You also get footage on a brief history on how the actors were recruited off the streets and the making of the film. The features also present footage with director Mira Nair and other production crew of the film. This is a really great film and the way Mira Nair shot and directed the film was very clever. This film has a documentary type quality to it and filming was done entirely on the streets of Mumbai(Bombay)so you get an upclose reality of what some of the streets of Bombay look like and the lives of the poor and the street children. This is an excellent film and I am grateful to have this DVD, may favorite film of all time!

A FILM NOT SOON FORGOTTEN...
This is a superb film that gives the viewer a bird's-eye view into the plight of India's urban street children. It is done through the experience of young Krishna, an illiterate, country bumpkin of a boy, who is abandoned by his mother at a circus and told not to come home until he has five hundred rupees for having broken something that belonged to his brother. While Krishna is on an errand, the circus packs up and leaves town, and he is left alone to fend for himself.

Krishna uses his last few rupees to travel to a city, which by luck of the draw turns out to be Bombay. Thrust into the life of the street children of Bombay, living among the pimps, hustlers, drug addicts, prostitutes, and throw away children that proliferate in India's urban settlements, a modern day jungle, Krishna struggles to survive. His resourcefulness holds him in good stead. He quickly develops some street smarts and forms attachments. He struggles to earn and save money, so that he can return home to his mother and the family whom he misses, only to be duped in the end by one in whom he had trusted. His story breaks one's heart, as he learns some hard lessons in life.

This is a gritty look into the underbelly and plight of Bombay's poor street children, who call the gutters of its filthy urban streets home. It is filled with the sights and sounds of this urban nightmare. An Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, this highly acclaimed film allows the viewer a peek at another culture, only to find that basic human needs and desires are universal.

Still the best!
This was my introduction to Mira Nair. I assumed it was her first full-length feature. She takes you into the streets of Bombay through the eyes of homeless children. It is kind of an "Oliver Twist" in India, but Nair provides a gritty perspective that has been lacking in her films since her international debut. The camera work is fantastic. You really get the sense of the teaming masses of people and the vulnerbility of these children. The Fagan-like overlord of this brood feels real, making it seem like Mira did her research. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Uma Thurman is painful to watch in Hysterical Blindness--and that's a compliment. Thurman completely gives herself over to her trashy character, a pathetically self-deluding good-time girl who hangs out in a tavern in Bayonne, New Jersey, circa 1987. She occupies the bar stool next to her best bud (a dead-on Juliette Lewis), willing herself to believe that an obviously indifferent pick-up is Mr. Right. Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding) directed this familiar but nicely-rendered HBO production; her visual style, full of obscured sightlines and opaque glass, emphasizes the heroine's inability to see clearly. Gena Rowlands and Ben Gazzara, as Thurman's mom and her gentleman suitor, add an echo of Cassavetes realism. But it's Thurman's tour de force, capturing the kind of lost soul whose idea of first-date chat is to break an awkward silence by boasting about her best sexual skill. She will make you cringe. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (10)

great performances
5 stars just because the performances in this movie are so good. Uma Thurman especially. She plays it soooo well. Juliette Lewis has a boring part but still she makes it look interesting. The mother character (whoops whats her name?) Is really good too. The story is of two women trying to find love in bars in New Jersey, set in the 80s. Uma is really screwed in the head and has a habit of hurting those who care about her. Shes really high strung. Juliette Lewis is her sweet friend. Uma lives with her mother (?) Who is also sweet and sensible.

BRILLIANT...
This movie was unsettling and hard to watch...I mean that in the best way. Uma Thurman in particular was so pathetic, so clueless and vulnerable....just desperate for acceptance...it was hearbreaking. Watching her character feign happiness and mold herself and her ideals to whatever man happened to be paying attention to her at the moment had me riveted. I have never been so impressed with Uma Thurman...FABULOUS STORY...watch it.

A Major Bummer
Hysterical Blindness centers around three New Jersey women's search for love. Deb Miller (Uma Thurman) has major insecurity issues because her father abandoned her and her mother when she was thirteen, which made her really needy, neurotic and loose. Beth (Julliette Lewis) is a high school dropout and became an unwed mother at sixteen. Deb and Beth hang out at Ollies Bar, a seedy meat market where the guys are only out for one thing. They foolishly think that the man of their dreams with walk through its door. Beth's daughter Amber is more adult that she is and clearly the kid cramps her style. Deb's mother Virginia (Gena Rowlands), a waitress at Skyways Restaurant, finally finds love with Nick Piccolo (Ben Gazzara) only to loose it when Nick dies of a heart attack.

Director Mira Nair claims that this movie was a dark comedy however I found nothing comedic about it though it certainly was dark and very depressing. It ends with no real climax the characters just go with their lives as before. The best part of the movie was the romance between Gena Rowlands and Ben Gazzara. I think the actors did a good job in their roles but the director just didn't come across with the story. If you must, rent it don't buy it!

Quiet Desperation.....
The performances in this movie are brilliant, but, it also gave me the creeps. I say this because it was so dead-on accurate in portraying the neighborhood I grew up in, and, the lives of "quiet desperation" that many there lived. At the time in which this movie takes place, I was working in a factory in upstate New York. The mentality displayed in this picture, of "you're born, ya work, ya party...." is how most of the people I was around at that time unquestioningly and comformingly lived their lives. I am not crazy about most actors today, but, Uma Thurman and Juliette Lewis have always been two of the few exceptions. In this made for HBO film, they immerse themselves so totally in their co-dependant characters that there is not a sign of a *star*, nor that they are performing...they simply "are" the two lost, searching souls with nowhere to go, and no way to get there if they did. The '80's were such a tacky decade, and these girls have it all "down". Watching them flounder, knowing that they want more out of life than their circumstances have thus far allowed, but not having a clue as to how to begin change, is painful to behold. As are their sad attempts at intimacy and self validation with disinterested men who want nothing more than quick sex. Watching Uma Thurman almost beg a creepy, cavalier one night stand who's just using her to "talk to me..." is heartbreaking. When she asks the bartender "what's wrong with me?", it is not a casual comment, but, a cry from the depths. Gena Rowlands is wonderful also as Thurman's waitress mom, who probably was an early training ground for her daughters bad habits, and lack of self esteem. These are not bad people, but, they want desperately to connect, and just don't know how. Also watching Thurman's character, after another night of rejection, crawl into bed with her mother in a desperate and pained reaching out for unconditional comfort, is a very emotional moment. This movie is about depressing lives, but, is ultimately hopeful, and shows that change, growth, and possibilities can sometimes begin with something as simple as a new living room set. And, the slow realization that, while we're all vulnerable, true happiness begins from within, and, with knowing thyself. I happened upon this movie by chance, and it surprisingly and completely cast its spell on me. A wonderful character study, made into something very special because of the portrayals of Uma Thurman and Juliette Lewis. Watching actors like this is almost an honor. If this sounds like a too extravagant appraisal, it is also because it is so rare. A wonderful experience.

Just great
If you grew up in the 80s and want a little nostalgia this movie is it.The girls in this story makes you feel ashmed to be watching them they are so out of touch with anybody else in this world.We all know people like this and wonder how they keep existing.The acting is excellant.The story gets a little slow at times but you won't be able to stop watching. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

"Home is Where the Heart is"
I've been a fan of Mira Nair's "Mississippi Masala" since seeing it's original theatrical release in the early '90s. I was very dissapointed, when for a good period of time it was out of print.Now to my great surprise and delight the movie has been released to DVD."Mississippi Masala" is a wonderful comedy/drama about coming of age, race relations and ruminations of home and the heart.Director, Mira Nair has deftly told the story of a transplanted Indian family, who has uneasily settled in rural Mississippi.We learn (in a series of backflashes) how the family had to sadly leave their native country of Uganda, under a mass expulsion ordered by dictator,General Idi Amin in the early '70s. The family's father, Jaye (well played by Roshan Seth) loses everything including his property, his best friend, his country and his self respect.Fast forward eighteen years later. The immigrant family's daughter, Mina (Sarita Choudury) has grown into a beautiful young women and is the 'Masala' of the film's title (a hot & spicey mixture of exotic ingrediants). Through a series of comical incidents she meets and falls in love with an pesonable, African American man named Demitrious (Denzel Washington), who runs his own carpet cleaning business.Sparks fly as the area's two minority communities (African-American & Indian) react with both hostlity and humor to the lover's interacial romance.This is a story about discovering one's place in life. About finding out where you belong and being with the one you love. Eventually the main characters learn the lesson that "home is where the heart is".This is wonderful moving film that touches both the heart and the funnybone.I highly recommend it!

BACK WHEN MIRA NAIR WAS STILL A TRUE FILMMAKER
What a brilliant piece of low-key, realistic movie making, from the days when Mira Nair was making in your face movies such as Salaam Bombay and Mississipi Masala.

The first thing admirable about it is Nair's ability to merge three cultures (Uganda, India, & Southern American) into an enchanting love story. An Indian family of a man, his wife and their young daughter Mina are expelled from Uganda under the reign of dictator Amin. The family eventually moves to the U.S. When Mina grows up she finds herself caught in a curious cultural twist and considers herself a mix "masala". She later falls in love with a black carpet cleaner (played immaculately by Denzil) only to stir up a hornet's nest in her family, culture and community.

The movie is from 1992, so the mild racism undercurrent may be a bit tired but wasn't when it came out, in fact most of the ironies (e.g., both the lovers are "colored" in different shades) are shown in a light-hearted and dignified manner.

The movie has a clutch of hilarious moments as well, which make it an all round fun movie to watch. Both the protagonists, Denzil as the southern man and Sarita Chaudhari as the Indian woman, are actually quite likeable characters and you end up caring about both of them.

A very wholesome treat to watch!

Love this film
I love this film. I saw this film when I was a young. My aunt had free tickets to the first showing at the Ritz, in Philly (The Ritz only shows movies that are not well known, such as independent films, documentaries, etc.) This movie stayed in my mind and now I own it on DVD. It is excellent. I loved Denzel in it and Charles S. Dutton is funny also. If you are a Denzel fan, you must have this one in your collection.

magnificent film!
If you aren't familiar with Mira Nair, the brilliant Indian filmmaker who has brought us magnificent (and more recent films) like Monsoon Wedding, this is a great introduction to her genius. I happen to be a Denzel Washington fan, and wanted to see his earlier work, which led me to rent this film.

It is set in the South, and is centered on Meena (Sarita Chudhury), an young, ethnically-Indian, Ugandan national who immigrated to the Southern United States with her parents after the uprising of Idi Amin (Ugandan president) who decided that the way to rid the nation of the "Asian problem" was to expel them from the country to begin with. She settles in the States, cleaning hotel bathrooms with her Mum, and living with her parents as a 24 year old woman. Demetrius (Denzel Washington) is a young African-American man who cleans carpets and helps support his family and stays out of trouble. What initially starts out as a "rebound" relationship turns into something more--which upsets both sets of families. Though, Meena and Demetrius are outcast in a White culture, there are still divisions between their races that are reinforced by their parents and relatives. It also is an interesting juxtaposition of Meena's family and their experiences with Black Ugandans (ethnic Indians as the ultimate "untouchables" in the African nation), and how Indians in the U.S. South are viewed in comparison with African-Americans who endured White racism, and, before that, slavery and great oppression for many years.

The acting is beautiful in this film, and the love story of the interracial couple is engaging, funny, and touching. For Mira Nair buffs---she makes an appearance in the wedding scene, early on, as one of the gossipy guests! Hint: She has short black hair.......
Don't miss this beautiful, heartfelt and thoughtful film.

A Singular, Lasting, and Still Necessary Achievement
What a wonderful film. Kudos to Mira Nair, all of the actors and crewpeople, the producers, and the extras. This little gem of a film has not only stood the test of time, but is quietly growing in stature. Certainly one of the better efforts in Denzel Washington's body of work.

Other commentators have noted how good of job Nair does in making this film a "Masala" at many levels. Everything from the story, to the actors, the sets, the lighting and much else besides communicates and celebrates the vibrancy of life and of culture. Another sometimes overlooked aspect of the film's appeal is that this story is emblematic; we all KNOW and can relate to these characters, because we sense that they are based on real people.

This is a dignified story, told with passion and humor and spice. In short, this film is exactly what the title says it is. In short it's a wonderful slice of life.

Job well done. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

COOL SHORTS
FULL FRAME DOCUMENTARY SHORTS is a terrific collection of seven documentary films. My favorites include the weirdly haunting Mojave Mirage, about that Mojave telephone booth in the middle of nowhere that became a cult destination (its number rang constantly from callers worldwide) and The Sunshine, an intimate and non-judgemental look at the eccentric, colorful and resiliant residents of one of the Bowery's last flop houses. Laughing Club of India is about people who religiously gather in groups to laugh themselves silly. Weird and wonderful stuff here. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Marisa Tomei releases her inner spitfire in The Perez Family.Dottie Perez (Tomei) comes to the U.S. from Cuba, along with a mixed lotof criminals, lunatics, and political prisoners--including Juan Perez(Alfred Molina), who hopes to be reunited with his wife after 20 years. Towork around the bureaucratic politics of the refugee camps, Dottiepersuades Juan to pretend that they're married, and drafts a few otherPerezes to create a family. Meanwhile, Juan's wife Carmella believes thatJuan never arrived and is finally letting go of his memory, helped by theattentions of a Miami police detective (Chazz Palmintieri). Tomei's sexypassion sometimes spills over into silliness and the story unfoldserratically, but the examination of how love grows and how love fades issincere and affecting. The actors are charismatic, the music's fantastic,and Tomei wears many skimpy outfits. Directed by Mira Nair (MonsoonWedding). --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A sexy, energetic, lighthearted, romantic comedy. Loved it!
Dottie Perez (Marisa Tomei) shines in this highly entertaining film. Both Juan Perez (Alfred Molina) and Dottie (strangers to one another) leave Cuba in a boatlift to come to the USA. Though they have separate agendas, they both become entangled in a creative plot that would convince immigration to boost their names to the top of the list for families to be sponsored. In the meantime, Juan searches for his wife and child who he hasn't seen for 20 years. Dottie, on the other hand, floats around with naivety about life in the Americas. Unaware that her beloved movie star is dead, she lights up with the anticipation of finally seeing John Wayne after she spots a sign for Hollywood some miles away. I was almost rolling on the floor when both Dottie and Juan realized the status of Elvis Presley and John Wayne.

I like that the film catches sincere moments; for instance, we see Tomei heating up the screen in her sexy dresses and unshaved underarm, and Juan even expresses that he's been in prison so long, his teeth are no good to kiss his beloved wife. All the characters add warmth and humor to this highly charged movie. Definitely a keeper. Don't miss it!

One of the most enjoyable movies I have seen!
Marisa Tomei does a fantastic job on this one. This is a must see. I was surprised to note that this was another Mira Nair (of Monsoon Wedding fame) film. She weaves a sensitive and delicate plot with fire and passion and humor.

Excellent Cast, Brilliant Acting!
Rarely does a film move me to actual expressions of emotion, but this one did. The conditions under which the Cuban immigrants lived in this film broke my heart. Alfred Molina and Marisa Tomei were excellent in their portrayals of Cuban immigrants who were simply trying to flee oppression and make better lives for themselves. (I must confess, I didn't have much respect for Marisa Tomei as an actress until I saw her in this film.) There is one scene in particular that I found to be especially heartwrenching: Tomei's character, freshly arrived from Cuba and still living in a refugee facility, meets a police officer. The man takes an interest in her and asks her out on a date. Feeling excited and elated, she accepts, believing the man to be a decent man who will treat her well. On the night of the date, however, the man tries to force himself on her, even offering her money. She manages to get away from him and flees his apartment, in tears.
There are moments of tragedy and triumph in this film. You will laugh and cry many times before the final credits roll. (For example, I laughed out loud at the "grandfather" who repeatedly continued to wander off in the nude.) Anyone who appreciates a finely crafted film that will make them think should watch this film.
My only complaint is that the ending seemed a bit too "Hollywood" for my taste. But that is a minor point. We all need a dose of "happily ever after" every now and then, I suppose.

My applause to all those who were involved in the making of this film. The DVD, which has thankfully been released now, has been made a permanent part of my film library.

An Excellent Movie By Mira Nair!
It's a shame this movie never did very well at the box office, because it's a movie with great performances by Marisa Tomei and Alfred Molina. It's also directed by one of the least recognized and gifted directors of our time, Mira Nair.

Nair is best known for movies dealing with Indian culture like "Mississippi Masala" and last year's "Monsoon Wedding," but here she strays from her normal interests and makes a movie about Cubans who come to the United States seeking political asylum. Specifically, the movie centers around Dottie Perez (Tomei) and Juan Raul Perez (Molina), who are of no relation to each other except for the fact that they come to the United States with a heart full of dreams which are quickly shattered. Dottie is smitten by John Wayne and comes with the hopes of someday sleeping with him. Juan was incarcerated in a Cuban prison for 20 years and comes hoping to find the wife and daughter he has not seen in that time. They both come to Miami on the same boat, and circumstances force them to act as if they were a "family". This arrangement soon becomes more than just a strategic plan, as they quickly develop romantic feelings for each other.

The acting in this movie is surprisingly good. I had gotten so used to seeing Marisa Tomei doing her New York accent in "My Cousin Vinny" that I didn't think she'd be able to be convincing as a Cuban refugee. I was pleasantly surprised. Alfred Molina was also very good, and so was Anjelica Huston who played his estranged wife. I also thought the movie had a great musical score.

I would have given this movie five stars if it wasn't for the fact that I wasn't really satisfied with the way the movie ended. Though I won't give away the ending, I'll say that it was entirely too simplistic. Though, that's just a minor flaw. This movie is definitely worth watching.

Where's the DVD
This is one of the best movies I've ever seen. It is as good as "Cool Hand Luck" and "The Sweet Hereafter." It's hard to believe the DVD doesn't exist. ... Read more