Monsoon Wedding
| Year: | 2001 |
| Production Co: | IFC Productions |
| Director: | Mira Nair |
| Producer: | Mira Nair |
On the crest of world interest in Bollywood, Mira Nair cemented herself as the Indian Baz Luhrmann, crafting song and dance extravaganzas that appealed universally, and Monsoon Wedding is the best example of them.
It's about the chaos that descend on the Verma family as they prepare to give away eldest daughter Aditi in marriage.
The film charts the engagement party, meeting of the families, wedding planning and the wedding itself, weaving so many dramatic and comic subplots throughout it feels much longer than it is.
Aditi is having an affair with a popular TV presenter and dreads the thought of marrying another man for family honour rather than passion. Ria is sceptical of the kindly Uncle benefactor until she explodes to the defence of a young sister in the movie's most shocking development.
Virtually invisible younger sister Alice has a crush on the obnoxious event manager, and when he finally notices her he'll fall as head over heels, but not before a comedy-of-errors twist of fate almost thwarts them.
You've never seen a more beautiful collection of Indian women, from the classically pretty Aditi to the earthy sexiness of Ria and the damselish, Cinderella-like beauty of Alice.
It's also nice to see a film made by a director who knows her subject. A Hollywood movie about India would feature maharajas riding elephants beside the Taj Mahal. Nair show us the amazing contradictions and melting pot of all facets of Indian society, from the high tech middle class to the strong family ties to the teeming streets of the cities.
It's about the chaos that descend on the Verma family as they prepare to give away eldest daughter Aditi in marriage.
The film charts the engagement party, meeting of the families, wedding planning and the wedding itself, weaving so many dramatic and comic subplots throughout it feels much longer than it is.
Aditi is having an affair with a popular TV presenter and dreads the thought of marrying another man for family honour rather than passion. Ria is sceptical of the kindly Uncle benefactor until she explodes to the defence of a young sister in the movie's most shocking development.
Virtually invisible younger sister Alice has a crush on the obnoxious event manager, and when he finally notices her he'll fall as head over heels, but not before a comedy-of-errors twist of fate almost thwarts them.
You've never seen a more beautiful collection of Indian women, from the classically pretty Aditi to the earthy sexiness of Ria and the damselish, Cinderella-like beauty of Alice.
It's also nice to see a film made by a director who knows her subject. A Hollywood movie about India would feature maharajas riding elephants beside the Taj Mahal. Nair show us the amazing contradictions and melting pot of all facets of Indian society, from the high tech middle class to the strong family ties to the teeming streets of the cities.