This movie ends in a group hug. This can only lead to a backwards journey downhill. In consonance with the environmentalism inspired recycling paradigm of Indian movie making, all I shall do is rest briefly on certain themes that are encountered most frequently in the recent deluge on expat focused movies. This movie is no exception. It doesn’t matter if it’s the highly toxic Poo in the lavish and lamentable ‘ Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gam’ (mostly ‘Gam’, I’d say with the conviction of a valiant survivor of cinematic torture) or the rather blotchy skinned brat in this movie, Divya.
Both these dislikable and air headed characters with their frighteningly focused adoption of maladaptive ‘ Western Values’ were reprogrammed to Doordarshan time near the middle of the movie. It’s easy to spot because both took to draping the modest dupatta over their previously brazen bosoms. Look out for the lajja vastra and ull be able to fill in what happened while u were scavenging for snacks in between sobs. Bitch got smacked up a bit and learned the value of staying in her place and this is now symbolically expressed in the diaphanous fashion accessory floating around her torso. Keep this in mind as a useful heuristic technique.
There are enough reviews in this forum telling you about the movie so I’ll spare you the repetition. But dammit, I need catharsis. I hate Nasir Abdullah’s character and his obnoxious white posterior kissing accent and demeanor. Me am white boy too please. Shobhana is hot and I like the way she retains her Indian nod (side to side instead of up and down). The daughter is quite horrid but it would have pleased feminists like me more had she been walloped with serious consequences by her mom instead of by the warned against unsuitable boyfriend. I have little patience with the poetically just experiences of martyrs. The movie is trite, contrived and …sniffle…maybe I’ll watch it just once more… for idiots by idiots and with idiots in it. Embrace me O other 10 reviewers…I loved it too. Did I just earn myself a metaphorical dupatta?