Average Rating: 7.6/10
Reviews Counted: 89
Fresh: 81 | Rotten: 8
This compassionate work of social criticism is also luminous, due to both its lyrical imagery and cast.
Average Rating: 7.8/10
Critic Reviews: 30
Fresh: 28 | Rotten: 2
This compassionate work of social criticism is also luminous, due to both its lyrical imagery and cast.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 43,000
Following the sudden and unexpected death of her husband, a widowed child bride lashes out against her fate in the Hindu ashram where she is expected to atone for her sins in this humanistic drama, the third installment of filmmaker Deepa Mehta's Elemental Trilogy. Chuyia's (Sarala) husband has died, and religious doctrine dictates that she now retire to an ashram to atone for the sins that caused her husband's untimely death. As Chuyia bides her time among widows both young an old -- some
PG-13, 1 hr. 57 min.
Nov 4, 2005 Wide
Aug 29, 2006
$3.1M
Fox Searchlight Pictures
All Critics (99) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (83) | Rotten (8) | DVD (10)
Quite possibly the best picture of the year thus far, with no fewer than three of the most luminous female performances I have ever seen onscreen.
Mehta prevailed, and this scandalous, beautiful and very moving tale of repression, hope and a tragedy is her triumph, and Hindu India's shame.
Ebbs and flows with devastating truths and profound insights into the hypocrisy of extremism in any religion.
Reminds us that Mehta is a filmmaker of courage -- she refused to abandon this film even after fundamentalist protestors shut down the production in India -- and singular style, telling stories that have never been told on screen.
You'll leave the theater with a lot to think about, especially regarding the plight of women around the globe.
Packs a punch that is difficult to parry.
Powerful tale that unfortunately fails to provide any kind of real historical context for the oppression of Indian widows.
Perhaps the adversity of making the movie allowed the filmmakers and actors to empathize more fully with the subject and characters of Water.
... the incidence of violence against women at home or in institutions give Mehta's 1938 tale a currency that confirms the old notion "actions change, but attitudes do not."
One of the best films of the year.
Surprisingly, not much has changed in the last 70 years. The tradition of sequestering widows continues in India. Mehta deserves praise for spotlighting this situation. WATER is one of the year's best films.
Though it's a story told with feminist sensitivity, it's also the most relevant perspective for such injustice to women.
Full of lush, fluid cinematography and evocative music, Water is an important look at a social injustice, and Mehta's most accomplished film yet.
... gorgeous and heartbreaking... full of glorious, unforgettably pretty images... But they do not overpower Mehta's involving drama or the exceptionally fine performances of her stars...
Controversial for exposing the rigidity of the Hindu religion.
There's few movies that can ride on purely beautiful cinematography in order to tell a story, but this certainly does. The message of this movie is so well told through its images that it quite possibly could have been utterly silent and still effective. Now the basic story and characters are okay, but they wouldn't be
May 2, 2011Super Reviewer
Ooooooooh. This is a most WONDERFUL movie! The setting is beautiful. The story is amazing and very moving. The acting superb. This is my idea of a PERFECT film. This movie was nominated for a 2007 Academy Award. I dont understand why this movie wouldnt have won hands down. Truly, truly wonderful.
September 5, 2010Super Reviewer
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