Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining and thoughtful
Review: This film is a wonderfully acted, directed and scripted parable on the power of love to overcome racial and ethnic divisions, filled with humor, insight, pathos and inspiration, and which completely avoids the trap of becoming preachy.
One of its particularly interesting insights for me was its take on the polarizing nature of black-white racial divisions in this country. This is shown not only by the negative reaction of the local Indian community in this small Mississippi town to the romance of one of its women by a black man, but, even more revealingly, by the response of the local whites, which results in the bank calling in its loan on Denzel Washington's carpet cleaning business, along with the loss of his white clientele. Even though the relationship in question is between two dark skinned people, the whites react to this as though the Indian woman is white. In otherwords, for the whites, if you are not black you are white, or, at least, the equivalent of white.
I strongly recommend this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Bittersweet
Review: This is a sweet and poignant movie about an interracial relationship. Whites barely enter the picture in this one though; the forbidden relationship is between a black (Denzel Washington) and Indian Mina (Sarita Choudhury), both beautiful people and with onscreen chemistry between them. It's interesting that before their romance, members of each family agreed that Indians and Blacks needed to stick together, because "anyone who isn't white in America is colored", yet after the romance was discovered, Mina's father discourged her, saying that she needed to stick with "her own kind". The theme of racism is brought to fore right at the beginning of the movie, with the banishment of Mina's Indian family from Uganda, a reminder that racism exists in many parts of the world. The family finds safety and economic opportunity in America, yet they never feel quite at home, or quite accepted in American society. However, we also are reminded in the film that as slow as America has been to change in accepting minorities, and even more, interracial relationships, change is occurring. When the couple finds a way to go forward in their life and their relationship, they must make a decision that affects their families. The movie, though it has many delightful moments, shows us that overcoming racial barriers is still a bittersweet process.
Rating:
Summary: BACK WHEN MIRA NAIR WAS STILL A TRUE FILMMAKER
Review: What a brilliant piece of low-key, realistic movie making, from the days when Mira Nair was making in your face movies such as Salaam Bombay and Mississipi Masala. The first thing admirable about it is Nair's ability to merge three cultures (Uganda, India, & Southern American) into an enchanting love story. An Indian family of a man, his wife and their young daughter Mina are expelled from Uganda under the reign of dictator Amin. The family eventually moves to the U.S. When Mina grows up she finds herself caught in a curious cultural twist and considers herself a mix "masala". She later falls in love with a black carpet cleaner (played immaculately by Denzil) only to stir up a hornet's nest in her family, culture and community. The movie is from 1992, so the mild racism undercurrent may be a bit tired but wasn't when it came out, in fact most of the ironies (e.g., both the lovers are "colored" in different shades) are shown in a light-hearted and dignified manner. The movie has a clutch of hilarious moments as well, which make it an all round fun movie to watch. Both the protagonists, Denzil as the southern man and Sarita Chaudhari as the Indian woman, are actually quite likeable characters and you end up caring about both of them. A very wholesome treat to watch!
Rating:
Summary: A Singular, Lasting, and Still Necessary Achievement
Review: What a wonderful film. Kudos to Mira Nair, all of the actors and crewpeople, the producers, and the extras. This little gem of a film has not only stood the test of time, but is quietly growing in stature. Certainly one of the better efforts in Denzel Washington's body of work. Other commentators have noted how good of job Nair does in making this film a "Masala" at many levels. Everything from the story, to the actors, the sets, the lighting and much else besides communicates and celebrates the vibrancy of life and of culture. Another sometimes overlooked aspect of the film's appeal is that this story is emblematic; we all KNOW and can relate to these characters, because we sense that they are based on real people. This is a dignified story, told with passion and humor and spice. In short, this film is exactly what the title says it is. In short it's a wonderful slice of life. Job well done.
Rating:
Summary: A Singular, Lasting, and Still Necessary Achievement
Review: What a wonderful film. Kudos to Mira Nair, all of the actors and crewpeople, the producers, and the extras. This little gem of a film has not only stood the test of time, but is quietly growing in stature. Certainly one of the better efforts in Denzel Washington's body of work. Other commentators have noted how good of job Nair does in making this film a "Masala" at many levels. Everything from the story, to the actors, the sets, the lighting and much else besides communicates and celebrates the vibrancy of life and of culture. Another sometimes overlooked aspect of the film's appeal is that this story is emblematic; we all KNOW and can relate to these characters, because we sense that they are based on real people. This is a dignified story, told with passion and humor and spice. In short, this film is exactly what the title says it is. In short it's a wonderful slice of life. Job well done.
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