Mississippi Masala
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Movie Reviews of Mississippi Masala
Movie Review: A Warm-Hearted Movie With Some Good Lessons
Summary: 4 Stars
Masala - in Indian cooking, a mixture of many spices.
Garam Masala - a mixture of ground spices used for flavoring foods, as with curries, with other mixtures of spices such as Tandoori masala, green masala and Madras masala.
Mississippi Masala - a spicy mixture of different cultures, different races and different outlooks.
Demetrius (Denzel Washington) is a young African-American guy who lives in a small Mississippi town. He's ambitious, hard working and has started his own rug cleaning business. Mina (Sarita Choudhury) is the daughter of immigrants from Uganda who came to America when Idi Amin forced all Ugandans of Indian descent to leave the country. Her father was a well-to-do lawyer, who now helps manage a small motel, one of several small businesses members of the Indian community have started. Mina works at the motel.
Demetrius and Mina meet when Mina accidently runs into the back of Demetrius' van. They are a bit intrigued with each other. Demetrius calls her a few days later and asks if she'd like to come to his home on a Sunday afternoon for a barbecued chicken dinner and to meet his family. She agrees. Eventually he meets her family. Then the problems start. Mina can barely remember Uganda, with which her father is obsessed to have his property returned. Her outlook is American; her parents' outlook that of a traditional Indian family, where young people marry within the circle of friends, where the color of the skin can be just as much a factor as it is in America. Demetrius has dealt with white attitudes all his life. Now Mina is dealing with her parents' attitudes. After some ups and downs, Demetrius and Mina decide to find their own future away from Mississippi, and with the blessings -- the worried blessings -- of their families.
This movie is not as somber as it may seem. It actually is a very humane and friendly film, with people trying to do the right thing and gradually learning lessons from each other. Denzel Washington is excellent as a man with a head on his shoulders, in love with Mina, concerned about his father and younger brother, and determined to make his way. Mira Nair, who directed Monsoon Wedding, does a fine job. There might be a little too much time spend on the Uganda background, but it does help in understanding Mina's father and his reactions. This is very nice movie, well worth watching.
Movie Review: BACK WHEN MIRA NAIR WAS STILL A TRUE FILMMAKER
Summary: 4 Stars
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!
Movie Review: one of great racial films ever
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a master piece which touches delicate subject of racism. This time between South asian Indian girl ( played by sexy saritha ) and black guy (played by charming Denzel). The movie gives glimpse of lesser know Indian culture for Americans. How some Indians although almost as dark as africans still stick to racist thinking. It shows being victim of racism doesn't insulate one to treat others the same way. However the movie is balanced and doesn't exploit the situation. Denzel is really charming with boyish look courting a young girl although ignorant of the culture. The love making scene is very romantic and steamy although there is little nudity. Sarity is sultry and ravishing. The movie is not preachy and yet has a hidden message. That one can come of self made shell if we take some risk and accept the reality. The movie covers 2 themes, family life in Uganda, Life in deep south Missisipi (the accent tells it all). The movie covers delicate topic very realistically and funny at times. However we somehow feel that problem of racism is not digged deeper at the end. Worth seeing just to see skilled Denzel !Movie Review: Honest Film
Summary: 4 Stars
I had seen this film a number of times either on T.V. or by me popping it in on my DVD player. Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhury are a pleasure to watch in this engaging story about a love affair between a Africa American male and an Indian woman, whom both has never been to there native land, and how their romance causes strife in a small Southern town. The movie handles the reactions by both families to the interracial union of Mina and Demetrius. Against all this, a subplot in the story revolves around the loss of a homeland and friendship between Choudhury's proud Ugandan national father and the Black Ugandan friend he left behind during Idi Amin's reign of terror.
There are very few movies that can capture the emotions that go along with such a sensitive and controversial matter. Most importantly the opinions, thoughts, and traditions, both negative and positive, of both the Indian and Black communities are fairly communicated through the movie. A must see film and the only one I'm aware of that explores the relationship between African Americans and ethnic Indians.
Movie Review: Entertaining for all cultures
Summary: 4 Stars
The movie presented the timeless story of people from other cultures breaking cultural barriers to find love. Similar to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the movie winds up speaking for more than just the cultures presented. Better than the Greek Wedding movie, this presents two sides of the cultural divide, and provides a wider range of emotional challenge. Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhury are outstanding in the leads, and the supporting cast puts in a very strong strong.
Without spoiling, the ending of the movie was weak. I was not too disappointed when it finished, but I can't give five stars to a movie when I find myself saying, "Please don't continue this for 10 more minutes, they are ruining a great movie"