What Is It?
For those of you who don't know, if you look at the number of movies made, Bolly India would be the movie capital of the world.
Lately, America has been getting a taste of Bollywood as MerMax has imported films such as "Bend It Like Beckham" and this film. Both were directed by Gurinder Chadha who will be directing Kate Hudson in the up coming re-make of the "I Dream of Jeannie" tv show.
Now that you are up to speed, "Bride and Prejudice" is an Indian re-make of the Jane Austin book. It is a musical, where most the numbers sound like a cross between traditional Indian music and N'Sync style pop. (Actualy some of it sounded like TobyMac's new album, but would that mean anything to anyone?)
How Was It?
It was defiantly entertaining. It came off like a live action Disny cartoon for adults. There were lots of colors, different cultures, and even two "Singing in the street while groups of people like bakers and such, run out to sing a part of your song" musical numbers.
If you have read Jane Ausin's wonderful book, or seen the great adaptation done by A&E, you may be wondering how this holds up. It's not the treasure that those are. It is a fun homage though. If you are a fan of the originals, you will enjoy seeing how they encorperated parts, and the story will seem deeper as you have spent so much time in the past getting to know these intricate characters.
If you have not experienced Pride and Prejudice, I think you will find this a fun little ditty through the streets of India, LA and New York.
Is It Good For Kids?
I can see kids, especially girls, enjoying this film. Though there are many of the characters who are dressed with less than they should be. This is often minimized by the camera, but it is still very visible. The main character, Lalitha Bakshi (Aishwarya Rai) intentionally dresses modestly and comments that she does not want a man who is just interested in her looks.
There is one "show" going on with a seductive and scantily clad singer. Other than that, the only time the camera seems to shoot for sex appeal, is when the topless character is a man.
Oddly enough, there is no kissing in this film. Even when people get married. I don't know if that is an artistic choice, or just the sensibilities of the culture, but it's interesting.
You can check www.ScreenIt.com for a complete break down of elements shown on the screen.
How about Spiritual Issues?
Religion is just looked at cultural. Though there is one song with a quick line about love being for God, the film is much more interested in tradition and cultural ceremony than faith or theology.
The down part is that many of the characters we are supposed to like misuse God's name.
What Is Your Recommendation?
I'm not sure.
It's deftly a fun movie. The things to think about would be the spiritual issues as well as the issues of modesty, though the expressed message is correct, the images on the screen may present a stronger case in the opposite direction.
I will, though, take this opportunity to recommend three other Jane Austin adaptations, The A&E "Pride and Prejudice" with Colin Firth, "Emma" with Guenith Paltro, and my favorite, Emma Thomson's "Sense and Sensibility" with Hugh Grant.
