by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Isn’t it a great feeling when you sit down to watch a film and you are surprised by just how much you enjoy it? I did not know anything about Bleecker Street’s latest film India Sweets and Spices when I sat down to watch it, but it turned out to be an absolute delight to watch and experience. This comedy centers on a young Indian woman named Alia Kapur (portrayed by Sohpia Ali). Alia is coming home for the summer from her most recent year of college. What seems like it will be just a run-of-the-mill coming of age romance, this film from writer-director Geeta Malik turns out to be so much more.
What else does Malik deliver on in her screenplay? We get time with Alia that focuses on her young love life. Much of the narrative is not surprising, but it sure does deliver heartfelt and genuine moments. Alia finds herself in a tough spot. She has a young man who her family expects her to be with, who meets her own class. But who does she really fall for? The young man, Varun (Rish Shah), who works at his family’s grocery store. But of course, she cannot possibly fraternize with someone from a lower class than her own… at least according to her family and community. Due to the well written character full of spunk and confidence as well as a strong performance from Ali, you invest easily into all Alia’s relationship turmoil.
While that certainly is not the only turmoil stirred up in this film, it is certainly what helps push India Sweets and Spices above being just a well shot and paced romantic comedy. Like The Fast & the Furious, this film is all about family. Each character has a distinct personality that the audience can latch onto. Manisha Koirala as the matriarch of the Kapur family is probably the most interesting character of all. She is placed in an unfortunate circumstance by the actions of her husband. Alia is the audience’s conduit as we see her learn more about her mother. Koirala’s performance is so dynamic as she slowly shows who she really is throughout the film. The journey to her liberation is moving and engaging.
Where much of the film is really the story about a mother and her daughter, what else does Malik film offer? There is an interesting use of parties to represent the social commentary in the film. The major moments of the narrative occur at parties, which are introduced in a fun way with some eye-catching title cards that look like invites. It reinforce the significance that they play in creating classist constructs. The first big call to action of the film is Alia defying her parents and inviting Varun’s family to a party (a family not considered worthy of this honor). The cultural themes presented in the film are fleshed out and meaningful, giving a sense that they are deeply personal to the filmmaker. The character arcs that Alia and her mother go on also channel the important themes of liberation and taking control of one’s life. The whole film comes to a boiling point at one last party where rumors (another important mechanism in the film) become fact. Is the scene a bit too much like something written for a film? Sure, but it is quite moving seeing a group of people taking their identities back when they take ownership over the rumors (and in turn taking their power away).
Why should you show India Sweets and Spices some love? This film is full of heartwarming and triumphant moments as well as a good dose of laughs. There are moments that feel a bit melodramatic and staged, but with such a feel-good and enjoyable film, you can just get lost in these great characters and the great lessons. This film is a delight and deserves some love when it comes to theaters near you.
Grade: B+
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