City of Joy
Tags: violence

Plot synopsis:
The story revolves around the trials and tribulations of a young Polish priest, Father Stephan Kovalski, the hardships endured by a rickshaw puller, Hasari Pal in Calcutta (Kolkata), India and in the second half of the book, also the experiences of a young American doctor, Max Loeb.
Father Stephan joins a religious order whose vows put them in the most hellish places on earth. He chooses not only to serve the poorest of the poor in Calcutta but also to live with them, starve with them, and if God wills it, die with them. In the journey of Kovalski's acceptance as the Big Brother for the slum dwellers, he encounters moments of everyday miracles in the midst of appalling poverty and ignorance. The slum dwellers are ignored and exploited by wider society and the authorities of power but are not without their own prejudices. This becomes evident by their attitude towards the lepers and the continuation of the caste system.
The story also explores how a peasant farmer Hasari Pal arrives in Calcutta with his family after a drought wipes out the farming village where his family has lived for generations.
The third main character is that of a rich American doctor who has just finished med school and wants to do something with purpose before opening up his practice catering to the wealthy.
The book chronicles not only the separation of the wealthy from the poor but the separation of the different levels of poverty, caste divisions, and the differences of the many religions living side by side in the slums. It touches on Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity as well. While the book has its ups and downs, both beautiful and horrific, an overall feeling of peace and well being is achieved by the story's end. Despite facing hunger, deplorable living conditions, illness, bone breaking work (or no work at all) and death, the people still hold on to the belief that life is precious and worth living, so much so that they named their slum "Anand Nagar", which translated into English means "City of Joy".
The author has stated that the stories of the characters in the book are true and he uses many of the real names in his book. However, the book is considered fictional since many conversations and actions are assumed or created.
The author and his wife traveled to India many times, sometimes staying with friends in the "City of Joy". Half of the royalties from the sale of the book goes towards the City of Joy Foundation that looks after slum children in Calcutta.

Review: However it is true to the spirit in which the book was written.Another interesting comparison with the book is that just like the movie, the book is as controversial, especially in India and among middle class Indians and Indians abroad.
The controversy is an indication that lot stuff in the movie is actually worth seeing.Also it is not unusual for a poor man in India to choose to die with dignity than live in shame, Indian girls do flirt even if it is 'untraditional' and there are people who try to live by exploiting the poor, people who most others will call cruel.
The movie could have done a better job capturing the fact that western ideas can affect the way some people in India behave just as Indian ideas make some westerners reformulate their ideas and concepts about life.
The script has drama and emotional depth.Although the plot certainly can't claim absolute originality, director Joffé's nuanced look at the cultural milieu and the care with which he portrays the characters' relationships and internal struggles make this a worthwhile, enjoyable film."Roadhouse" and "Dirty Dancing" were both lots of fun, but for me this is Patrick Swayze's best performance, and one of my favorite films of its kind..
Bizarre reviews of this film that fail to explain why they are against its excellence don't stand up in the face of critics like Jim Whalley of Cinema Showcase who called it "the best picture of the year" and Susan Granger of WICC who commented that Patrick Swayze gave "the performance of a lifetime".
This is the true story of a disillusioned American doctor who, like so many people, (the Beatles and Alanis Morisette, for example) travelled to India to find himself in a search for enlightenment.
At first, he is unwilling to help the locals stand up against the oppressive 'godfather' of the area because he feels that all he'd be doing is trying to "drill a hole in water".Having been to an English-speaking Third World country like India, myself, I found the reactions of the Swayze character extremely true to life.
Even the characters and their characteristics and reactions in the film matched many of the people I knew in that land!"City of Joy" was an excellent and faithful adaption of Dominique Lapierre's richly written masterpiece.
The strengths of American culture and Indian culture joined together - both races learned to accept one another's ways of life and borrowed virtues from one another's culture to breathe new life into the slums of Calcutta.
This movie is so deep that it touches your heart directly, specially the role played by om puri is inexpressible.
Even the role played by patrick swayze was good as he plays an disillusioned doctor.
This movie touches the way of poor people living in calcutta slum, I know because I myself is a bengali and belong to calcutta.
The smell of the Indian dust, The pain of the people, The discrepancy between even the poor, A story about a man running to provide the food for his family beside saving money to marry his daughter.
beside talking about the unjust of human beens in isolating a group of innocent people who their fault is that they are not born in complete bodies, the white man in the story who is a doctor failed in the medicine job in his country and ran to India where he found his real soul also show us how we sometimes see the world from one view while it can be seen from a better view, I don't understand why it wasn't dominated for an Oscar.
If you have visited India (where it has been primarily filmed) and especially Kolkotta city you would see the realistic nature of movie.
City of Joy is the story of an American Doctor (Patrick Swayze) who runs away from his life and unwittingly lands himself in an entirely different place.
City of Joy also contains a story of a farmer (Om Puri) who has lost his farm to the "money lenders" and brings his family to Calcutta to find work so that he can support his family.
The story touches your heart and holds your interest throughout the movie.Patrick Swayze is wonderful in this movie!
Dirty Dancing, Ghost and City of Joy should have mad Patrick Swayze a serious leading man in the category of Harrison Ford.
Nevertheless, Patrick Swayze is a handsome accomplished actor and this film is well worth the watch!.
The story and the characters in this movie are worthy and good, but in my opinion the true merit of this film is that it highlights how different situations and peoples of the world are in fact.
It should also be noted that a great deal of abject poverty in that part of the world is the result of too many people, too little food, and brutal cycles of weather that destroy all in the way.What this film makes me ponder is just how such desperate peoples can best be helped by outsiders.
Others can help the struggling to pull on their bootstraps, but others cannot wear the boots for them or do their work for them.This movie depicts a single set of unique events that resulted in people finally becoming determined to be masters of their own fate, come what may.
It has flaws, but I think it is noticeable to see that the only person from India writing here, actually points out the up-sides to it.By professional movie critics, it was very well received.
One can discuss how well it deals with them, but if you're open towards the movie, it might bring you a very good real-life experience.If this movie, has got you interested in more genuine Indian films, then movies such as Monsoon Wedding, and Lagaan, can be recommended..
The surgeon, Max Lowe (Patrick Swayze), abandons his practice after the fatality and travels to Calcutta, leaving painful memories behind him.
The story of the film is that of an impoverished community in Calcutta's backstreets, and how with Max Lowe's help the poor people learn to throw off the yoke of oppression.
Thirdly, the film arrogantly assumes that the people would turn against their own, with whom they have ancient bonds of blood and custom, in order to side with an American stranger who knows nothing of their way of life, and who is free to pack up and leave whenever he wishes.
To truly appreciate the characters of City of Joy, you have to read the book by the same name by Dominique Lapierre.
Disilusioned American heart surgeon named Max Lowe (Patrick Swayze who lacks some the emotional range) flees to India after losing a patient .
In the extremely poor city of Calcutta he is beaten by a street band (led by Art Malik) and being robbed his money and loses the passport but finds help from an ex-farmer named Hazari(Om Puri , excellent as poor but obstinate worker) who takes him to a nearby clinic in the City of Joy , one of Calcutta's poorest areas .
Hazari and his family have re-located to Calcutta with hopes of starting a new life , save some money and go back to their village , as well as get Amrita married .
Joffe had the good idea to use Academy Award-nominated writer Mark Medoff and the result was an emotional bullseye with a sensitive tale of unfortunate and poor peasant workers in poor city of Calcutta ; however , it was not a major box-office hit .
After a long career filming for television , he made his movie debut in a big way with ¨The killing fields¨ winner of three Oscar and dealing with madness and atrocities committed by humans , Joffe's usual theme.
It's been over a decade since I saw this movie, but despite a lot of criticism it seems to be receiving, I remember how much it touched me way back then.The story revolves around a disillusioned young American doctor, Max Lowe (played by Patrick Swayze), who goes to India to find himself.
To be honest, I hardly remember Patrick Swayze's role from this movie.
I recall the squalid living conditions worsened by the monsoons, but also the spirit of some of these so called untouchables.However, the most memorable aspect of the movie, which has remained with me all these years, is the absolutely endearing Indian farmer, Hasari Pal (played by Om Puri), who has lost his farm and come to Calcutta with his wife and children in order to seek work.
(No, not the more realistic arranged marriage, as another commented.) Hasari is truly an unforgettable character that came to embody for me the spirit of India's less fortunate.This is a movie that calls attention to some of the important truths in life, the overwhelming disparity between rich and poor, and especially the humanity common to us all.
this is an art movie it can enter international film festival competitions specially for Om pare acting in this movie ,to be nominated as best actor, photography Patrick Swazi acting was good though bit exaggerated in some scenes the tale really moved me and the weaving of the plot was well made the two kids did a very good acting, the supporting actors acted well,i wished the movie would last longer direction was excellent and in some parts it enabled the spectator to feel really involved in the action.
Patrick Swayze shines in this film.
Patrick Swayze,unusually for a Westerner, melts into Calcutta quite easily.
Typically Westerners act like they are away from home when they act in Indian films.
Patrick Swayze goes with the rhythm from the first beat in this wonderful movie.
Agreed there are poor and homeless in India, but why is there no representation of educated people if not the successful ones.I totally hated the idea of the movie portraying Patrick Swayze as another Mother Teressa.
Exactly the reason why people ask me, "When we go to India, can we hire an elephant right outside the airport so we do not have to walk on the roads so full of filth and snakes?"Those who want a second opinion on contemporary Indian society should watch "Monsoon Wedding"..
American non-practicing doctor Max Lowe (Patrick Swayze) gets beaten by thugs and everything stolen.
Max is taken to Joan Bethel (Pauline Collins) and her City of Joy. Hazari gets a rickshaw job from the Godfather whose son cruel Ashok Ghatak was the one that had his thugs beat up Max.This is one of the old fashion White Savior movies.
"City of Joy" has a lot going for it: A great director ("The Killing Fields," "The Mission (Two-Disc Special Edition)"), a great cast (Patrick Swayze, Om Puri) and outstanding locations/sets (Calcutta).
Because great films take you into the world of the characters to the point that you forget you're watching a movie.
While I think "City of joy" is a very worthwhile film, it failed to do this for me.
Having been born and brought up in 'the City of Joy' and living in the western world for the last 5 years, I have mixed feelings about this movie.
Trying to make people aware of hit them at weak points to arouse interest?) but it is a passable "entertainer", strictly due to the wonderful work by the Indian cast, especially the great Om Puri as Hazari.
Despite portraying the heinous life of a laborer in India and the atrocities flung on the poor, at a visual level, there is a message in the movie at a spiritual level - that no matter what we are, where we belong, we love the people we love, and we hope for our children, and that we have the power to do anything.
When it becomes fashionable to attempt to develop characters, and then cut away to a scene of fleeing people, this movie may become a masterpiece.
I do not understand how anyone could call his performance "realistic" or "brilliant" because it is neither of those things.While City of Joy may have a nice message, it does a poor job at developing and presenting it..
Once in the City of Joy, as the slum neighborhood is called, he quickly assumes the mantle of Great White Hope, not just saving lives by doctoring, but also in smashing caste barriers, and battling local mobsters.
City Of Joy: I am writing this now because no one seems to have made a review post Patrick Swayze's death.
When you Google Patrick Swayze's top films it does not make the cut....
I could see a whole 2 hour special taking place on NPR about the relationship between Indian middle-class society and the lepers.Also, I'm no expert on Indian culture, but it seems like City of Joy fails miserably at depicting life as it really is in Calcutta, what with the dowry and all.City of Joy is a very unmemorable movie that has lots of holes in its plot.
Patrick Swayze is lauded as delivering the best performance of his career in his role as a disillusioned doctor, Max Lowe, who "gets away from it all" in one of the large, over-populated cities of India.
Here he "bumps" into Hasari Pal (played by Om Puri), who has brought his wife and three children to the city in search of a new life after creditors seized their farm.
As Max tries to forget the past and Hasari works hard to build a future, they both discover that they can make a difference in the present.The whole film is very well-done, and realistic to the point of making you feel for the lepers and all those unfortunate enough to live in the state of extreme poverty that permeates the overcrowded country of India.
Patrick Swayze is well-cast in his role, even if it does begin to appear that he has two expressions for all his movies; tired, and angry.
I agree that on the face "City Of Joy" was a good movie, otherwise I wouldn't have rented it.
I expected to see more out of this film and by the time I was satisfied it was too late in the movie.
For what the premis was, "City Of Joy' only worked in the later stages of the movie.If the director could have some way started earlier with Patrick Swayze's character caring, it could have worked.
The only thing I found that was interesting was the devastation of the living conditions of the citizens had to live in: I thought the director did a good job of showing that.I do not recommend this film at all..
Based on Dominique LaPierre's book, Roland Joffé's 'City of Joy' may have received mixed responses as it's one of those films that one either connects with or not.
Yes, Calcutta is portrayed as being impoverished and one could argue that the film was made to cater to the Western audience who don't see India beyond poverty and slums, but that putting that aside, the film has heart and one doesn't have to be Western or Indian to relate to the issues that are brought forth, to the conflicts the characters come across and to their values.On the technical side, it's a very well made film.
If there were a movie to root for, it would be "City Of Joy," unfortunately it turns out the writing couldn't measure up to the performances.
If there were a movie to root for, it would be "City Of Joy," unfortunately it turns out the writing couldn't measure up to the performances.
I had to question Patrick Swayze's motivation for taking part in this film.
I had to question Patrick Swayze's motivation for taking part in this film.
I had to question Patrick Swayze's motivation for taking part in this film.
I agree that on the face "City Of Joy" was a good movie, but we all know that books cannot be judged by its cover.
I agree that on the face "City Of Joy" was a good movie, but we all know that books cannot be judged by its cover.
For what the premise was, "City Of Joy" only worked in the later stages of the movie.If the director could have some way started earlier with Patrick Swayze's character caring, it could have worked.
For what the premise was, "City Of Joy" only worked in the later stages of the movie.If the director could have some way started earlier with Patrick Swayze's character caring, it could have worked.
an enhancement of life" that occurs to find its relevance in joyous human development.As it appears to be the case with every film that has attempted to address certain spiritual content, CITY OF JOY also intrigued quite diverse viewpoints.
Some viewers, particularly American and European ones, consider CITY OF JOY a Patrick Swayze film.
Yes, to some extent it is a Patrick Swayze film but...not entirely.
Let me highlight certain aspects of his performance.Indeed, Mr Swayze's character of Max, whom Roger Ebert calls "a drifting hedonist" in his review, plays a decisive role in the film's theme as well as creates a wonderful insight into a development a man might undergo in certain circumstances.
Patrick Swayze delivers a tremendously powerful performance depicting a variety of emotions that might be at war within the heart and mind of a doctor who has experienced a tragic death of his patient and wants to "disappear in the sea of humanity" (Ebert).
Patrick Swayze's scenes are supplied with terrific emotions and a very appealing portrayal of an American in India facing the uniqueness of its culture and lifestyle.As a counterpart to his rebellious nature and desperate quest for transforming power comes Hasari played brilliantly by Om Puri.
In my opinion, it was as good as or better than other Western films with similar subject matter.
It was good to see Calcutta again, as well as the rain, and there are many touching moments in this movie.