From: srini@eng.umd.edu (Mulugu Srinivasarao)
Subject: CITY OF JOY : MOVIE REVIEW
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 92 14:59:05 GMT
Organization: College of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park


	A sensible movie made in Calcutta (City of Joy) with a decent story 
content and excellent acting by Patrick Swayzy and Om Puri and Art Mallik. 
About an American doctor who goes to India to find inner peace. 
The doctor decides to leave immediately but is forced to stay longer 
due to stress of circumstances beyond his control. As the mive goes on he
gets absorbed into the Indian life and enjoys it.
A good depiction of Indain values and some of the social issues like dowry and 
problems faced by poor.

	Pauline Collins fits very well in her role and so does Shabana Azmi, 
though the latter's is not a prominent role in the movie - as is that of Indian
a typical Indain housewife.

	On the whole a well made movie, and will be particularly enjoyed by
Desis. A good depiction of Indain values and some of the social issues like 
dowry and problems faced by poor. There is a little violence also there is vivid scene about a woman going into labor. Probably that's why its rated PG-13

	Life in Calcutta is very well portrayed with all its complexity,
and friends from Cal tell me that there is not much distortion in this regard.
The only regret is that there is "too much of the truth". When only selected
issues of Indian life - however true they may be - there is this serious
consequence of misrepresentation and misunderstanding. The fact that 
Rikshaw-walas, Jhopad pattis and lepper colonies, havoc created by monsoons 
(people getting drowned), etc. are a part - but only a part - of the Indian 
life is forgotten.

	With Temple of Doom, Salaam Bombay and City of Joy, there is a strong 
impression among many American friends that this is what Indian life is. 
One of them saying y'day "Could you please show me some photos that there is 
another side to India". Also, I am reminded of the ccomment of one
of my friends from Sweden made a couple of years ago, "I thought India was full 
of beggers and poor peple, but you guys (Grad students in US)  seem to be very 
well off".  And again some one else saying "I didn't know that Indians ate 
monkey heads" - thanks to Temple of doom.

At this stage, a well-made movie that highlights - or at least includes - the 
Metropolitan life of India would be very welcome, as it would serve very well 
to dispel some of the misconceptions that the above mentioned movies tend to 
create.


DISCLAIMER: " What ever I have written above is my personal opinion, UMCP 
	      has not paid me to do this"

WARNING:    " All falmes to the net ONLY; personal e-mails will be junked"


- Mulugu

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