Much of the humor is at the expense of these transplanted Indians, and would be considered exploitative had it not been made by people whom it's mocking.
Comment
08/16/02
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Mystic Masseur (2001)
52
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:64
Fresh:33
Rotten:31
Average Rating:5.8/10
Consensus: Though pretty to look at, The Mystic Masseur is too slow-paced and lacks narrative tension.
Theatrical Release:May 3, 2002 Limited
Box Office: $291,000
Synopsis: THE MYSTIC MASSEUR is a delightfully warm, funny drama about Ganesh (Assif Mandvi), an ethnic Indian living in Trinidad. While working as a teacher in Port of Spain, Ganesh learns of his father's... [More]
Starring: Aasif Mandvi, Om Puri, Jimi Mistry, Ayesha Dharker
Director: Ismail Merchant
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Reviews for Mystic Masseur
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10/26/02
A real clunker. A well-made, thoughtful, well-acted clunker, but a clunker nonetheless.
11/04/02
Top CriticMerchant effectively translates Naipaul's lively mix of characters from the page to screen.
03/25/02
It starts slowly, has few dramatic peaks and sketchy character development, and meanders without momentum.
05/17/02
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05/17/02
Shares with the best Mechant-Ivory films a detailed recreation of a period setting and an ensemble of notable performances.
04/09/02
A wry, affectionate delight.
05/17/02
Top CriticA warm-hearted gem of a film.
07/20/02
An affectionate, sun-bathed memoir.
10/15/02
Even fans of Ismail Merchant's work, I suspect, would have a hard time sitting through this one.
05/03/02
more precious than perspicacious
05/02/02
The faithful will enjoy this sometimes wry adaptation of V.S. Naipaul’s novel, but newcomers may find themselves stifling a yawn or two during the first hour.
08/15/02
A fairly dull adaptation of some highly regarded material.
07/19/02
The Mystic Masseur is billed as a comedy, but it's not very funny. It's a social satire, but it's not all that insightful.
05/17/02
Where it might have been urbane, witty, ironic and politically charged, The Mystic Masseur is merely scenic, melodious and occasionally amusing.
05/17/02
Top CriticFor fans of period pieces in exotic locales, Merchant gives Masseur the right touch.
05/10/02
I was completely underwhelmed by this movie.
05/06/02
Top CriticNo review available.
07/02/05
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12/30/06
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