Paul Mayeda Berges, known for his collaboration with his wife, Gurinder Chadha, on the films: Bend it like Beckham, and Bride and Prejudice, takes a role in the director's chair, in the book-to-movie adaptation: Mistress of Spices.
Raised as a mistress of the spice at a young age, Tilo, moves to San Francisco, and opens an Indian Spices store. Having a second sight, and so being able to see into other people's lives, Tilo is able to use her power of the spice, to help others. However, there are some downsides to her powers. She is never allowed to leave her store, use her powers for her personal endeavor, and most importantly, never to touch the skin of another. One day, she encounters the handsome Doug and begins breaking the rules. In turn for her disobedience, the Spice begins wrecking havoc with her powers.
Mistress of Spices has a bizarre story to tell, but it is at heart, a fairytale of sorts. It is also straight-forward, and not all that deep with emotion, yet it's beautiful too gaze upon. The numerous shot of the spices are spectacular, but this isn't enough to help Mistress of Spices raise its par to become anything exceptional.
Noticeable to all, is Dylan McDermott, who acts well as Doug, a man who has everything, but is yearning for something deeper then his own materialism. However, McDermott is easily out acted by his counterpart Aishwarya Rai. Rai seemingly appears to vent her feelings, but this is exactly the character of Tilo: she has to let the Spices dictate her life, and not her true emotions.
With good cinematography and fairly decent acting, Mistress of Spices has the basics covered. However, while a wonderfully conceived romance, Mistress of Spices lacks the passion required to truly engage the viewers with the love-struck characters.
Raised as a mistress of the spice at a young age, Tilo, moves to San Francisco, and opens an Indian Spices store. Having a second sight, and so being able to see into other people's lives, Tilo is able to use her power of the spice, to help others. However, there are some downsides to her powers. She is never allowed to leave her store, use her powers for her personal endeavor, and most importantly, never to touch the skin of another. One day, she encounters the handsome Doug and begins breaking the rules. In turn for her disobedience, the Spice begins wrecking havoc with her powers.
Mistress of Spices has a bizarre story to tell, but it is at heart, a fairytale of sorts. It is also straight-forward, and not all that deep with emotion, yet it's beautiful too gaze upon. The numerous shot of the spices are spectacular, but this isn't enough to help Mistress of Spices raise its par to become anything exceptional.
Noticeable to all, is Dylan McDermott, who acts well as Doug, a man who has everything, but is yearning for something deeper then his own materialism. However, McDermott is easily out acted by his counterpart Aishwarya Rai. Rai seemingly appears to vent her feelings, but this is exactly the character of Tilo: she has to let the Spices dictate her life, and not her true emotions.
With good cinematography and fairly decent acting, Mistress of Spices has the basics covered. However, while a wonderfully conceived romance, Mistress of Spices lacks the passion required to truly engage the viewers with the love-struck characters.