Earth

Pros: Excellent performances and cinematography, personal stories in the context of a cataclysmic time in India
Cons: Somewhat clichéd dialog and symbolism

With the passing of Satyajit Ray, the mantle of leadership for Indian cinema will inevitably pass to a younger generation of directors. One of those perched to assume a portion of that leadership is Deepa Mehta. Historical Background: Deepa ...

Pros: powerful story set in turbulent times; superb acting and directing
Cons: a few disturbing (but relevant) scenes

Based upon the novel Cracking India by Bapsi Sidhwa, Earth is the second instalment in Deepa Mehta’s thematically linked but dramatically unrelated ‘Elemental Trilogy’. Earth is set against the backdrop of ...

Pros: Compelling characters, good story, based on issues (racial, political) which evoke strong reactions
Cons: May be difficult to get into if you know nothing of India and have little interest in learning anything about it. Certainly not for people with short attention spans (two hour movie).

In The English Patient we have an Indian character from Lehore, Kip, who was actually the central character in Ondaatje's book, The English Patient. The book explored not only the effect of war and politics on those lovers caught within its tangled...