"WATER"
DVD Review
by Rachel Buccicone
| MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5 stars) STARRING Lisa Ray as KALYANI John Abraham as NARAYAN Sarala as CHUYIA Rated PG-13 Studio: 20th Century FOX Directed by: Deepa Mehta Back to DVD Review Home |  |
“A widow should be long suffering until death, self-restrained and chaste. A virtuous woman who remains chaste when her husband has died goes to heaven. A woman who is unfaithful to her husband is reborn in the womb of a jackal.” From the Laws of Manu, Chapter 5 Verse 156-161, Dharamshastras (sacred Hindu texts).
“Water” is a beautiful film that was nearly never produced. Written and directed by Deepa Mehta (“Bollywood/Hollywood”), the controversial story was opposed by extremist groups in India. Nevertheless, Mehta succeeded in creating an emotional story of extreme elegance.
Set in 1938, India, against the rise of Gandhi, the film follows an eight-year-old girl through her experiences as a child widow. Upon the death of her arranged husband, Chuyia undergoes the rituals of widowhood including separation from her family and a new life in a refuge for widows. Widows are rejected by society and must identify themselves by maintaining shaved heads and dressing in white tunics. Chuyia becomes acquainted with a number of widows who treat her poorly until she meets Kalyani. Kalyani is in her twenties, sports long hair, and is secretly keeping a puppy against house rules.
Chuyia’s relationship with Kalyani leads both to meet Narayan, a handsome, young, follower of Gandhi who has just returned from law school. We find ourselves with a love-at-first sight situation between Narayan and Kalyani. The problem here is that widows are forbidden to remarry. In addition, we learn that Kalyani is being prostituted as income for the widows’ home.
The remainder of the film follows the near marriage between Narayan and Kalyani, a heartrending death, and Chuyia’s liberation.
Mehta has created a provocative Hindu story that presents a hard critique of 1930s Hindi society. The only problem is her presentation of protagonists. From the start of the film Chuyia is clearly our main character, and yet, when Kalyani comes along, she takes over as the central character. This continues until the end of the film when Chuyia is once again the focus of attention.
A cast well-suited for their roles has been assembled. Particular talent is found in young Sarala in her role as our protagonist. Canadian actress Lisa Ray makes a beautiful lead; and John Abraham an amiable love interest.
The beauty of the Indian setting is a great backdrop to the beautiful moments in the film. Contrastingly, the grey, lifeless appearance of the widow refuge declares all on its own the life of a widow. The life of a widow is compared to the lives of public individuals with the use of color. White apparel and shaved heads leave the widows themselves looking grey, while the vibrancy of a free life is echoed in the bright colors both surrounding and worn by the public.
Water represents many things in this film. It symbolizes purity and rebirth. It signifies transition. And, it acts as a force capable of both giving life and taking it away.
Mehta’s fight to produce this film was well worth it. The piece is a stunning tale of Hindu tradition that should make any Indian proud.
Specifications: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Anamorphic Widescreen (2:35:1). Hindi language track. English and Spanish subtitles. Spanish language subtitles for the hearing impaired.
