Fire

Rating:
Summary: Deepa Mehta's Fire--A Beautiful Film
Review: I saw this movie for the first time almost two years ago, it was a chance rental at my local big chain video store and what had caught my eye was the banner on the box which exclaimed "The film that has been BANNED in India!" I wondered to myself, what could be so controversial in this film that it would cause an entire country to ban its existense? I rented it and do you know what? It turned out that the threat was new ideas that challenged traditional culture and probably one of the greatest portrayals of female empowerment I have ever seen! This is NOT a male bashing lesbian film Mr. Maltin---and if you had looked a little harder you would have seen that the men in the film are trapped in tradition just as much as the women. This film is wonderful, beautiful, and a credit to Ms. Mehta and the women she dedicated it to! By the way, anyone who wants to know more about Deepa Mehta can find information at: http://www.zeitgeistfilm.com/current/fire/firedeepa.html

Rating:
Summary: Fire, fire burning bright...
Review: When I went to see this film at the cinema I was uncertain as to what I was letting myself in for. However I am glad that my friend persuaded me to give it a chance. This is a beautiful film, about a taboo subject in India, and it is handled magnificently by the director and cast alike. It follows the story of two sister-in-laws (Azmi and Das) who dare to fall in love with each other. Not only do they fall in love but they conspire to leave their inadequate husbands. Azmi is married to a man who is unable to consummate their marriage, and Das' husband is unfaithful to her, desiring his Chinese mistress over his chosen bride. Azmi and Das are living in an unforgiving world. The path they have chosen to follow is fraught with intolerance and danger and they have no allies save each other. As their relationship deepens so does the need for escape. This is not just an artsy movie, it is funny, sad and genuinely moving. It also has some darkly funny moments, watch the scene with the family servant, and the porno movies, it has to be seen to be believed. Leonard Maltin saw this film as a male bashing Lesbian chick flick, claiming that the male characters in the film were nothing more than "simplistic chauvinist pig[s]." It is obvious that Mr. Maltin has not lived in India where more often than not men rule and women obey and should you want to be different then God help you because no one else will. This film is ultimately about love, hope, redemption and purification; fire being a purifier and therefore when Azmi survives her husband's attempt to burn her to death she proves to the viewer that she is pure, and the Gods do not disapprove of her sexuality. This is a wonderful film, well acted and superbly directed. It's worth seeing especially now as you will be able to buy or rent it on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: this is such a beautiful and poignant movie
Review: This movie had me glued to the screen. The casting of Shabana Azmi as a distinctly old-school actress playing such a controversial role is an inspiration to young asian lesbians everywhere. There was more eroticism and chemistry in one glance between azmi and das than in entire hollywood movies. Maybe we should take a leaf out of Deepak Mehtas book. He sure knows how to make a film. This is aptly titled as it leaves a burning imprint on the mind. Unmissable and truly unforgettable.

Rating:
Summary: Kudos to the cast and director
Review: "The film is a thought provoking masala of subjects, subtle, yet lush. Open your mind to the

Rating:
Summary: Fire is the perfect word for this movie!
Review: I really enjoyed this movie. I had to force myself to move at one point as I became aware that I had been watching so intently; afraid I would miss the important nuances mixed with the sometimes painfully obvious. This movie, like fire, was full of warmth and passion. The spark that desire creates among the same-sex relationship in this movie is like an all consuming flame and finally purifying and alive- like the love they could finally express and survive. I loved the fact that all the characters in the movie were having to deal with patriarchy on different levels...Some embracing the culture and faith fully and denying any desire and others doing quite the opposite. Everyone in this movie was finding their own way. Isn't that what life should be? Wonderful movie!

Rating:
Summary: An amazing film
Review: This was an amazing, beautifully told story. Should we pass a collection basket so as to purchase the clue gift certificate Mr. Maltin so desperately needs?

Rating:
Summary: The scope of this film goes beyond just "lesbian genre."
Review: This film was an absolute masterpiece. It didn't just focus on the feelings and the quirks of a same-sex relationship. It also addressed the cultural and patriarchal structure that formed the bedrock for each character's behavior and interactions. The women were definitely central to the film but all of the characters were portrayed in a way that was sensitive and realistic. Leonard Maltin's review reveals more about his prejudices, insecurities, and the axe he's grinding than it does about the film. This was fabulous.

Rating:
Summary: Full of thought and sensitive care
Review: I disagree with the first reviewer. This film portrayed the male characters with great sensitivity. The servant man is especially well developed, full of context. The younger brother (newly married)is also given a full portrayal that looks at his life complexities with sympathy. This movie, while being at its heart anti-patriarchal, also looks at other types of hierarchies besides gender--national origin, class, sibling placement, religious--and paints a complex picture of what it means (and what are the costs) to be truly devoted.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: For those who understand Eastern culture, this movie is one of a kind. Controversial and sensitive, it conveys its message to those who want to hear it. Symbolic of the fire that Sita of the Ramayana stands in to prove her purity, this movie portrays the struggles of the dutiful wives who sacrifice themselves for love and duty.

Rating:
Summary: ONE DAMN GORGEOUS MOVIE!!!!
Review: FIRE... It's one of THOSE movies, you know...one of those movies you've been waiting your whole life to see, that leave you weak for hours after, that you simply cannot stop talking about, and that end up changing the way you look at life, love, everything.