epic yet flawed

Rating: Null/10 (31 August 2004)

Epic but somewhat vague biopic of Indian spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi from Richard Attenborough. Ben Kingsley gives a career best performance in the central role
For years this biopic of the great Indian statesman was director Attenborough's pet project and when he finally got the chance to make the film he pulled out all the stops in terms of cast and crew.

It's certainly visually stunning - the teeming beauty of India coming alive thanks to the cinematography of Williams and Taylor. Yet there's a feeling perhaps that Attenborough should have taken a few steps back from the material before commencing filming - as far too much is glossed over or left unexplained by the screenplay.
It's safe to say that if you knew nothing about Gandhi before going in to the movie, you wouldn't know a whole lot more coming out. The decision to cast British actor Kingsley as the lead role was a controversial one. Admittedly, he is absolutely superb, his performance more than making up for the movie's other deficiencies.