Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love

Rating:
Summary: Tapestry come to life
Review: Visually entrancing, spectacular colors, exotic scenery. The nudity is so closely woven into the narrative that it does not even appear erotic, just natural. For all it's splendor, the movie lacked that kick-in-the-gut level of denouement that I look for in a truly great movie, or it would have been a five.
If you are looking for a movie on sexual positions, this is not for you, but if you are "open-minded" you will be rewarded in other ways. :)

Rating:
Summary: A tale of love about the art of love
Review: Hotter than "Fire", but without the same depth of emotion and not much of a story line, Kama Sutra comes over as a beautiful art movie, with magnificent scenery, brilliant color, and maximum use of nature, light and texture. Yes, there are also love scenes that are not for the prudish, and some full frontal female nudity and bare backsides, but in essence it is a story of love and loss and debauchery and death.

Indira Varma is captivating as the servant girl Maya, portraying her as young, flirtatious and resilient, while at the same time, regal and vulnerable. Her lovely eyes speak volumes, and there are entire scenes that are conveyed without the need for dialogue.

Sarita Choudhury plays a major supporting role as Tara, the intended bride of Raj Singh (Naveen Andrews). Although a lifelong friend of Maya, she turns on her in a fit of jealousy when the Raj lets his gaze wander to Maya on their very first meeting, and her reaction causes Maya to flee the room in shame.

Seeking revenge, Maya makes a pre-marital visit to the Raj, and gives herself to him in a performance that he never forgets.

She however forgets that people who live in transparent tents shouldn't fool around, and when the night's events are disclosed by Tara's humpbacked peeping tom of a brother, whom Maya has rejected outright as a husband, she has no choice but to leave her home as a fallen woman.

Unlike the popular advertisement however, she is able to get up, and thanks to the artistic skill of a stone carver Jai Kumar (Ramon Tikaram) and the friendship and teaching of Rasa Devi, (Screen legend Rehka) teacher of the Kama Sutra, she finds new confidence and a whole new attitude. She falls for Jai big time, but unfortunately for him, he doesn't react well to unconditional love and chases her straight into the open arms of Raj Singh as his #1 favorite courtesan.

Tara is now living the life of the neglected wife of a debauched husband, and has a disastrous wedding night when he calls her another woman's name. Her unhappiness is aggravated when she discovers Maya lolling off in a hot tub at the palace, and unable to cope with her situation decides on a drastic course of action.

Raj is by now totally obsessed with Maya, and when he discovers that his stone carver friend and his number one girl have not only rekindled the flames, but are busy fanning them when he's not around, he goes berserk, and orders the appropriate punishment for Jai.

To close things off, while Raj has been partying, his kingdom has been falling, and you don't need a fat lady singing to tell you that it's over for him.

Excellent performances by Indira Varma, Sarita Choudhury and Rekha make this movie worthwhile, and the attention to detail by Mira Nair makes for beautiful watching.

Amanda Richards, December 29, 2004


Rating:
Summary: about the movie Karma Sutra........
Review: The story is basically about a guru telling his diciples that it is a normal oor natural issue for sexual issue between man and woman. The word Karma Sutra comes from the Ancient folklore of India means SEX which one can find the word Karma Sutra on the fromt cover of Anna Hooper's pocket book of Karma Sutra by DK (Dorlington Kin...) reference guide for couples. Playboy site also contains films that follow Anna Hooper's book especially the education sex section in playboy website which is passed by MPAA (Motion Picture Association Of America). This film is talking about the terms Karma Sutra and hope that buyers whom are interested in this films will find it useful. This film, what I can say, is nothing very sexual about it and it is more informative, that's all. I hope the recommendation could help the sale of this DVD and at the same time let interested buyers know what they want and what they are looking for. Enjoy...


Rating:
Summary: A lot better than expected
Review: Although some of the Indian references are not accurate, this movie is indeed a lot better than I expected. The story line is typical for romantic tragedies. The story is about a girl who is poor but friends with a rich girl and her struggle to find love and lead a normal life.
Though many references are made to the Kama Sutra, the producers should have probably stuck with the title Tara and Maya or at least Maya since that is who the movie is really about. The book is just a side note to the deeper issues that she faces to not be treated as a servant.
There is some sex in this movie, but not much more than what you will see in your typical R rated movie today. The cinematography is great as well as the use of nature lighting. The acting is good as well as the use of the camera angles. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a good romance story.


Rating:
Summary: Entertaining but Not Great
Review: This movie, set in 16th century India, is a tragic love story. The movie actually centers around the character Maya (not played by Sarita Choudhury) who grows up as a servant and playmate of Tara (who is played by Sarita Choudhury). Both are somewhat jealous of the other - Maya because she gets Tara's hand me downs and is indeed treated like the servant she is - and Tara because Maya is more beautiful and accomplished than she is. On the night of Tara's wedding to a Raj, Maya slaps Tara during an argument, who gets revenge by sleeping with Maya's husband to be. Needless to say, Maya is driven from the house in shame. Forced into difficult circumstances she becomes the courtesan of Maya's new husband, and takes every opportunity to rub this fact in Maya's face. However, in the meantime she falls in love with a commoner and tries to re-forge a bond of friendship with Tara who quickly discovers being the wife of a Prince is not quite what she imagined it to be. As the tale unfolds, and the Prince finds out of Tara's betrayal, bad things ensue for all involved.

Overall this movie is a well-told story and the scenery is fantastic. Overall an entertaining if not great movie.