FILM REVIEW: WATER (2005) Director: Deepa Mehta Starring: Seema Biswas, Lisa Ray, John Abraham and Waheeda Rehman
When thinking about the significance of the title towards Deepa Mehta's third and final film in her elemental trilogy, one can come to mind that Water represents a shift and something that never stands still. This symbolism is come to be represented through the mind of Shakuntala (Seema Biswas) who's change in ideology is representative of the larger change that was sweeping India in the pre-Gandhiji movement. One of the attitudes, of which the film explores, is that of the treatment of Widows. Holy texts dictate that a wife has only three options upon the death of her husband: She must either burn with his remains, remarry his younger brother, or live the remainder of her life in self-denial. Set in Colonial-era India inside a house for spurned widows, Water continues the trilogy's exploration of the culture's historically unspoken and unchallenged hypocrisies. The film is viewed through the eyes of Chuyia (child actress Sarala), representative of Earth, as she is lead to the Widow house, and as she meets different characters, notably Madhumati, the leader of the house, Kalyani (Lisa Ray), Bhagavati (Waheeda Rehman) and Shakuntala (Seema Biswas). The story also features a Romeo & Juliet romantic angle between Narayan (John Abraham) and Kalyani, the latter causes a controversy within the Widow house as she wishes to turn against the rules of re- marriage. The result of this story would forever change the way that Chuyia lives, and meet with the sweeping tides of Change that were rolling through India at that point. Mehta deserves high marks for challenging a strikingly fundamental ideology in India that, even today, exists. The subtle imagery that she places through her characters, especially Chuyia and Shakuntala, along with the challenge that is made in regards to the rights of the individual against the interests of society is something striking. It created an environment for people to critically reflect and come to an understanding about their own religion and their relationship with it. There are not many movies that can move us to question our own selves, and lead us to think about the state of what exists, politically, and how it can be used towards society. Other than the story and screenplay, the film is made memorable through the performances of Seema Biswas (Shakuntala) and Sarala (Chuyia). It is through their eyes that we see a fundamental shift in attitudes and in their own minds. Biswas embodies the role. Without her, Water would not have been effective as it is. Sarala makes a revelation of a film debut. Her innocence, yet her growing awareness of what her life has become, make for a heartbreaking yet hope-embodying individual. It is her that embodies hope in the film, and will only get stronger with time. Lisa Ray (Kalyani) embodies her role. It is through the significance of her character and moral obligations that move to the forefront, as she breaks the norm of the widow house and leaves to seek marriage to John Abraham. Although she may not have the strongest character of the lot, she gives her all in the performance, and that translates onto the screen. Perhaps the least interesting character was Narayan, played by John Abraham, mostly used to move the story forward. However, whatever was given to the young star, he rose to the challenge. The music, by AR Rahman, adds a level of class but also serves as moving the storyline further. It features lighter moments, such as the romantic interactions between Kalyani and Narayan, but also to highlight the human aspect in the characters. It is in this manner that the songs seamlessly work within the screenplay, and add a dimension that would otherwise have left the screenplay incomplete. Intellectual and thought provoking, Deepa Mehta's WATER shakes up audiences with its point about widows and the general treatment of women in the pre-Gandhiji era. Further, it introduces a thoughtful yet controversial point in regards to the clash between religion and conscience. It is simply a must see, and is one of the finest films in years. RS Rating: 8/10 ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/iyUplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Explore, Experience, Enjoy A.R.Rahman - The Man, The Music, The Magic. Only at arrahmanfans.com - The definitive A.R.Rahman e-community. Homepage: http://www.arrahmanfans.com Admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arrahmanfans/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
