I enjoyed entering into the world of this film. Watching a movie within a movie is always interesting to me. And especially when the setting is India. That the characters were shallow and yet fascinating was in itself fascinating.
Merchant/Ivory bring such a complex texture to all of their films. That's what, to me, makes them such great filmmakers And their sensibility is very much present here also.
I also liked getting some insight into the Indian culture. Ever since watching Monsoon Wedding, I seem to have an affection for it. The coloring of the people is so beautiful. The dark hair and the dark eyes. And the clothes, especially the beautiful saris the women wear. I know it is the guru/savants that draw many to the culture but I seem to find it very easy to control my enthusiasm for them. The aesthetic beauty, however, is very compelling. And the spirit of the people.
This film is worth seeing, imo. Merely to set forth the plot would not really do it justice. It's one of those instances where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Merchant/Ivory bring such a complex texture to all of their films. That's what, to me, makes them such great filmmakers And their sensibility is very much present here also.
I also liked getting some insight into the Indian culture. Ever since watching Monsoon Wedding, I seem to have an affection for it. The coloring of the people is so beautiful. The dark hair and the dark eyes. And the clothes, especially the beautiful saris the women wear. I know it is the guru/savants that draw many to the culture but I seem to find it very easy to control my enthusiasm for them. The aesthetic beauty, however, is very compelling. And the spirit of the people.
This film is worth seeing, imo. Merely to set forth the plot would not really do it justice. It's one of those instances where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.