Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-22 22:29:02

A Modern Twist to a Classic Tale

This adaptation revolves around Mr & Mrs Bakshi & their daughters Lakhi (Lydia), Lalita (Lizzie), Jaya (Jane) & Maya (Mary). Think Pride & Prejudice; now think Bollywood. An Exceptional script with vibrant music! Voila! an instant hit. The casting is exceptional; especially the brilliant Aishwarya Rai as Lalita -besides you know she's got something if Julia Roberts calls her "The Most Beautiful Woman In the World"- Martin Henderson is an appalling pick for the role of Darcy. His acting often leaves much to be desired, and he occasionally looks out of place in the movie. Him & Aishwarya don't quite share an on-screen chemistry; which is a shame, but it's not enough to ruin the movie.In conclusion the movie is well written -of course it has to be; its Jane Austin's Classic- & well directed, most of the performances are impressive -except that of Henderson & the musical numbers add to the inspiration of the movie. Overall its quite an enjoyable, colorful, lively and entertaining movie that has stayed true to the original story. And if Aishwarya Rai doesn't make it in Hollywood after this, then there's no justice in the world after all. I also can't wait to see her opposite Meryl Streep in her next big movie "Chaos", directed by "3 Men and a Little Lady" director Coline Serreau.

2012-05-22 04:43:53

My first and so lovely Bollywood style movie!!

Great! I adored this movie based on "Pride and Prejudice" but now we have an Indian family with four beautiful marriageable daughters! Mr. Darcy this time is owner of an international hotel chain and is American! The couple, Aishwaria Rai and Martin Henderson are delightful together, even when they argue!... And their moments together are so tender and romantic and believe me, with a breathtaking sunset behind them! The film is very colourful and makes your body shakes with the lively Indian music! Watch it and be happy!!

2012-05-20 00:27:30

Terrific film

This film has magic that doesn't get worn away with multiple watchings. You watch it over and over again and each time you hear something new. It's charming, fun, and entertaining plus it has great songs and good acting.

Biswajit Tripathy 2012-05-19 12:20:51

Truly Indian Culture

I never wanted to watch this movie. Don't know why. But then I wouldhave missed something If I would not have. Last night on Zoomtelevision I watched the movie & enjoyed every moment of it. This is byfar ONE of the best performance of Aishwarya.This is the story of NRIs who are coming to India looking for brides.This is the story of a desperate mother looking to marry of her fourdaughters. This is the story of four sisters who are brought along bytheir parents.It has always been known that Indian culture are the richest in theworld. Even peoples from other culture and tradition most often fallfor Indian girls also. A NRI from US comes to attend the marriage ofhis closest friend with his sister and his best friend who is aforeigner. They meet this family of four daughters. The NRI falls forthe elder daughter (Namrata) while the foreigner falls for the second(Aishwarya). Aishwarya develops a negative feeling for this foreigneras some words told by him were not upto her taste. She felt that thisperson has no respect for Indian culture. But then slowly sheunderstands him better.Scenes from the marriage, scenes in Goa are presented veryrealistically. Gurinder Chaddha has made some nice movies before thisand this too is no exception. The kissing scene of Aishwarya was a bitcontroversial. But apart from that, there is no other contradiction inthe movie.

2012-05-16 14:57:50

2 different versions . . . .

I absolutely loved this movie after I saw it. At first I thought I would not because of the music. I really do not like musicals too much, but this movie and its music is great. I love to listen to the songs on this movie. The plot is good also and was pretty close to the general ideas of the Jane Austen novel!The only thing that disappointed me and that I am still trying to figure out is why there are 2 different versions of the movie. When I rented the movie and saw it the first time, it had all of the song full lenght and it had various extra scenes when they were in Goa, including one where Kiran slights the neighborhood where Jaya's and Lahlita's aunt and uncle live in London. Luckily I taped this version because when I went to buy the movie it turns out that the movie I bought had cut a lot of the songs and cut alot of the Goa scenes including the one I mentioned above. This is unfortunate because the movie that I bought is collecting dust while I keep watching what I call, the full version from what I taped!

syntax1973 2012-05-16 04:29:13

From Bollyto Holly

I first have to say that despite all the hype about being the mostbeautiful woman in the world is a total joke. She is lovely but any guythat walks the streets of New York can find much better quality atleast 50 times a day. The film all in all was very good despite beinganother of many takes on Pride and Prejudice and the obvioslip-sinking. It is very uplifting and fun but the lack of completeoriginality keeps this film from being great. It is going to takeBollywood a long time to compete against such great films like TheGodfather and The shawshank Redemption. This honestly is as unlikely asit is the lead actress being the most beautiful woman on earth.

newsjunkie356-1 2012-05-14 09:44:40

A pleasant and fun surprise...

Not being a big fan of musicals in general, especially those of a laarch-schmaltzmeister Andrew Lloyd Webber, and having never seen a"Bollywood" film I didn't expect much. However, I was impressed with"Bend it Like Beckham" so I decided to give this movie a chance.This movie is a very good time. The song/dance numbers are infectiousand downright fun, the bright colors and unabashed embrace of Indiancolor make it little short of dazzling. And seeing Naveen Andrews(Balraj) doing "his Indian MC Hammer" number is a treat--showing thisAnglo-Indian actor's versatility and range.The real treat is Ashwarya Rai, a stunning beauty with a sweet voiceand good acting chops as well. I saw her in a Cover Girl commerciallast night. It would seem that Rai is poised to conquer the US as shehas South Asia.I'm glad I overcame my usual distaste for musicals. I like this movieso much I've actually bought the DVD. If you are a fan of musicals Iwould definitely recommend this. If you aren't, give it a try anyway.Director and co-writer Charinder Chadra breathes new life into the JaneAusten's tired cliché of a novel, adding culture clash to theoriginal's mix of class conflict and les affaires de coeur.If Bollywood soon finds an audience in the US, this movie, andespecially Ashwarya Rai, may well be looked upon as the catalysts whichopened the door.

2012-05-13 22:11:13

A delightful slice of India

As I'm a big fan of Pride and Prejudice, I like to watch movie versions of it. I heard reviews of this film and thought, "Uh-oh. I won't like it." But, it turns out, I did enjoy it!This movie is really a musical sent in India which might be enough to send some of you running for the drama section at Blockbuster. I thought so as well. It irritates me to have characters in movies burst into song at vital moments of the plot. Thankfully, these musical numbers don't interfere with the plot but provide an entertaining glimpse of India and what they can do with choreography and some jazzy music. I liked one song and dance scene so well that I watched it twice. (The one at the party--women are like kites...) Plus, the main characters never sing a love song to each other, which always feels a bit sappy. (There are only five or six songs in the movie. Don't expect the format of Chicago!)The story line is that of Pride and Prejudice except everyone has Indian names (of which I do not know the correct spelling, so I'll refer to characters by their Austen names). The characters are the same, except there is no "Kitty." Also "Catherine de Bourgh" is Darcy's mom. But, it all fits well.This film is pretty mild compared to other PG-13 films I've seen. Unless there were suggestive lyrics in some of the songs which I just didn't catch, the only objectionble parts occured when her sisters are teasing "Lizzy" about "Mr. Collins." They sing about reasons why he might be worth marrying and one line is "Wonder if he's good in bed?" Then there is a five-second shot of "Mr. Collins" in tight undies and a shirt lying on a bed letting out a growl. Also, "Lizzy" sings that she wants a man who will look at her intelligence and not "at her rack." If you think you'd enjoy a funny movie with excellent choreography and some traditional Indian dancing or if you are a big fan of Pride and Prejudice and don't mind whatever vehichle it inhabits, then I highly recommend the film to you!

2012-05-10 01:37:42

Good clean romance for the whole family

I love this version of Jane Austin's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.What a great twist to the classic story retold in contemporary time, in another country, with the same sweet moral of Jane Austin's work.They kept most of the original characters and their names or a slight deviation of their names.The music was fun and lively, and adapted to the India culture, and the changes were not offensive, although some may object to some innuendos depending on your audience's age. Like the silly scene of "no wife, no life" for Mr. Colins.On the other hand I did not like Bend It Like Beckham'. I thought this was a much better film displaying a whole lot more talent.Great job Bollywood!

2012-05-09 12:34:28

Jane Austen meets Bollywood

It was so much fun to watch a Bollywood adaptation of a Jane Austen classic. I really enjoyed the dancing scenes. The actors were all great. The clothing was very beautiful. I just love how colorful Indian sari's are. Simply, this movie was just good fun!The only thing I was dissapointed in was the special features section of the dvd. It wasn't very good in my opinion.I rented the dvd that I watched but I liked this movie so much I'm going to buy my own copy. I'll be watching this one over and over again, especially when I need a little pick-me-up.

fauxfur5 2012-05-05 16:14:12

Painfully horrible

I just don't understand how the woman who brought us Bend it LikeBeckham could be behind such an excruciatingly terrible film as Brideand Prejudice. The acting is either trite and campy or nearlynon-existent, the songs are terrible and go on forever, and theplot/narrative is forced, jumpy, and often hard to follow with nocharacter development whatsoever. My friend turned to me after 40minutes in the theater and said "When is this going to end?" I loveBollywood and have enjoyed so many other recent films by Indiandirectors so this stands out as an enormous let down. Enjoy thecostumes, enormous well-choreographed dance numbers and looking at thepretty Indian ladies, because that is all this film has to offer.

2012-05-05 06:48:38

A fun cultural twist on Austen AND Bollywood

This is a very Western movie with some distinct Bollywood-style elements. Some of these Bollywood elements will be helpful to keep in mind: obvious lip synching as most Bollywood stars aren't using their own voices; very chaste love scenes-no kissing involved!; very old fashioned sense of storytelling-ala musicals from the 50's, NOT like musicals like Chicago...heavy on the slapstick, light on the ironic wit. With that said, Ms. Gurinder takes these Bollywood elements and then transplants them in Western settings like Los Angeles....where you get break-out-in-song sequences that include Mariachi musicians, bartenders, surfers, life guards, and a gospel choir! It's clever to see Ms. Gurinder transpose these bollywood style dance sequences, which seem "natural" when in India, in a different cultural context like LA, with culturally appropriate "indigenous" participants!As for the love story-the only thing I'd change is that Mr. Darcy deserved some more zippy comebacks to Lalita's stinging comments to show he is her equal. That's where Austen's story works so well-the bickering between Darcy and Elizabeth is really a sort of seductive dance between two headstrong people. And Lalita deserved to be shown more playful and light hearted as well like the original story. Of course Lalita is the "prejudice" in P&P, but she should lighten up a little still. Other than that, Ms. Rai is a gorgeous and mesmerizing star and Martin Henderson compliments her nicely as a more boyish but charming Mr. Darcy to Colin Firth's more imposing, rigid Darcy.This is a great movie that puts alot of cultural twists on various things-Austen, bollywood, parental expectations on marriage,musicals,etc. I think it was put together in a clever way, and it's very entertaining. The music is great, I really enjoy all the Amritsar dance sequences, and everyone in this movie is seriously beautiful, men and women! And Mr. Kholi---he is so hilarious!Even my husband, a man who tends to only watch really macho movies and boxing and ultimate fighting, liked it! That's saying something... I'm totally buying this movie for everyone for Christmas.....

2012-04-29 22:43:10

"no life - without wife...ooooh yah yah yah"

This review is from: Bride and Prejudice (DVD) I first saw this on cable while channel surfing and was almost immediately hooked. I got on the Amazon site and ordered it as soon as the movie ended (no lie). Like some reviewers here, I had no idea what I was in for (Holy Smokes, Batman, folks are Singing and Cavorting!); but it very quickly won me over. I'd read and enjoyed Austen's Pride and Prejudice and had seen the Greer Garson,as well as the Colin Firth, movie renderings. Bride and Prejudice is a refreshing take, slanted towards a different culture. I'm sure I've missed some nuances that only those of Indian heritage could properly take in and appreciate, but I still got bang for my buck. The absolute star of 'Bride' is Aishwarya Rai, who has a blend of exotic beauty and down-to-earth personality that enchanted the hell out of me. The director, Gurinder Chadha (Kick It Like Beckham), uses exuberant colors in this flick like Americans must've used liquor the day Prohibition was abolished; and the music and dancing harken back to the days of Busby Berkeley, with a decidedly Bombay flavor. I wish I could go to Vons or Ralph's and witness a full-on Bollywood song & dance break out. Someone who'd posted earlier used the word "good natured" in reviewing this movie and that is the perfect description; this is an innately cheerful flick and I guarantee that you, movie fan, will end up humming the "No Life - Without Wife" number all day. And, lastly, o verily yea, Aishwarya Rai is undoubtedly the most beautiful woman in the universe.

ylimenna 2012-04-29 13:27:49

Awesome Adapation

You don't have to be a fan of Bollywood movies to love this film, butit helps. I thought nothing could come close to the Jennifer Ehle /Colin Firth smoldering chemistry in the BBC version. Aishwarya Rai andMartin Henderson have so much chemistry without ever locking lips! Thesongs are fun and entertaining, and I appreciated all the differentstyles of music for the different settings. This movie will make itinto my "romance fix" rotation of movies like the original Pride andPrejudice, Emma, A Room With a View, et al. I had only seen MartinHenderson in one other movie before (The Ring) and was unimpressed, butthis movie convinced me he's got more than what it takes to be aleading man. Move over Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt! The supporting castwas great as well, there was never a wrong note hit with the adaptedcharacters. Even if you don't care for Bollywood, give this movie achance, you won't be disappointed.

Ram-4 2012-04-29 00:52:40

WORST MOVIE MASQUERADING as "BOLLYWOOD" "MUSICAL"

Of late, the cheesy Bombay Hindi movies have come to be recognized as"Musicals" in the West. I think Bombay film industry, shamelessly callsitself Bollywood which itself indicates its scope of creativity, have alot to thank the Western critics/audience for seeing them through sucha positive lens and categorizing them that way. Because these moviesare nothing but senseless song-and-dance sequences with all-color andlittle narration. These almost border on narcissist andself-congratulating. And "Bride and Prejudice" is not different. Andthe subject of Western vs Indian culture has been beaten to deathalready. Some examples are "Hearing heroine talk about more divorces inUS", "hero confused and starry-eyed about heroine", "rich NRI from UScoming to India for marriage depicted naturally as an Idiot". I went tothis movie based on the earlier movie made by this director "Bend Itlike Beckham". This is a bad film from a Good director. Don't wasteyour money and time on this.

2012-04-28 16:04:46

Getting Tired

Why is everyone suddingly starting to make Austens book diffrent?It would be just fine if you left the story alone, like Simon Langton(Directed), Andrew Davies(Screenplay), and Sue Birtwistle (Produced)did with the 1995 virson. If you want to see a classic virson of Pride And Prejudice [The REALL title] you should watchthat one. Otherwise, if you never read the book, or not an Jane Austen fan, go ahead and watch it. You might like it.

tsm-1 2012-04-27 05:56:33

BRILLIANT!!!

I must admit I had been as skeptical of this film as Don Quixote ofgiants being windmills(though I do like Bollywood films). I Went to mylocal (cinema that is), I saw and I was conquered. I think it wasgreatly to do with the sense of wondrous Joy that Ms Chadha manages toevoke. Something that we here at The Dreamer Pictures had done with myfirst short film 'The Best Dreamers' sometime ago, perhaps Ms Chadhasaw that and was inspired(anyway enough of my humility)...BRIDE ANDPREJUDICE IS A HAPPY FILM! forget the hybridisation, forget the fear,forget Bollywood, forget Hollywood; go see it! It is a fun loudlyjoyous (literally) film, from the opening set piece right through tothe end...Purists need not fear I'm already going down to the videoshop to grab a video/DVD of pride and prejudice (I'm sure I'll like it;obviously in a different way) Kudos to you Gurinder Chadha also to thecast who were all without exception absolutely Superb! Nitin Ganatra inparticular (as Mr Kholi)..was delightful; sort of like a young Woodyallen,Peter Sellars...those of you that are waiting for it to come outon DVD, I say to you go and see it where it deserves to be seen, on thebig screen. Take your family and friends (a friendly stranger on thebus) any one...I can assure you they'll thank you for it!

starpossum 2012-04-26 12:20:01

Goes downhill from the start.

***MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*** I saw this movie today. It came acrosssomewhat promising at the start, but as the movie progressed it justgot worse. All of the dancing is excellent, and I loved some of thesongs, but the rest of the songs were irritating and tiring. Someseemed to go forever, like the one the four sisters sing at night intheir pajamas. The colors and costumes are beautiful, and the actorsand actresses all put up a wonderful performance (yes, that's includingthe Indian drag queens!), but it's the fact that it just gets sillierand sillier that lets the whole thing down. Especially the bit whenLalita and Darcy are walking on the beach - romantic at first, but thencomes the church choir, the dancing surf guys and the Baywatch-esquirecouple. *cough*. 6/10.

2012-04-23 05:59:35

FUN, Musical Movie

Me and my daughter have watched this movie probably a hundred times! I actually bought because we were going to a traditional Indian wedding and I wanted to give my daughter (5 at the time)an idea of maybe somethings to expect (clothing, culture, etc)Anyway she loves the movie for the bright colors and musical scenes.

lalithad 2012-04-22 08:49:23

Bride and Prejudice

Aishwarya looks gorgeous and she is the center of attraction in themovie. Definitely her role in the movie is not like a traditionalIndian girl. She is a typical modern Indian girl who didn't want anarranged marriage with dowry etc.and looking for a real love. Of courseMartin Henderson's act is very realistic and they both look like aperfect match. Hope they both will get married in the real life. It isa pretty simple,light hearted movie while all races and genders canenjoy.There are some scenes and dances look stupid, but over all it isa good movie which brings two different cultures together, which showsthe unity and diversity. Hope there will be more movies like this infuture for the different races to watch and enjoy. I like the movieswith happy ending. Hope many people will like watching this lighthearted comedy. The colorful scenes can be enjoyed by lots of people.Pleasing to see the blending of cultures in this particular moviewithout much hassle. I wish the movie "Mistress of Spices" will be asuper hit whenever it hits on the big screen with a good story background. Good Luck!!!