This movie is about the love affair of an western writer and an Indian film star. I liked it very much and the point I found most interesting is the western craving for eastern spirituality exemplified by the visit and internship of the heroine in an Indian guru. The movie presents the guru in a savage light, as a self-promoting socialite proud of his western connections. Whether it is questionable that all the exponents of eastern spirituality as such cranks the one in the movie is, thus a satirist perspective is adopted. The characters are shallow and self-absorbed and their lives hollow, the movie pointing to the emptiness of stardom.The end is tragic and the world-view exposed is close to that of Ecclesiastes. Despite that I found the couple of the protagonists very engaging since as Oscar Wilde said only shallow people refuse to judge by appearances.
13 Reviews
absorbing film - draws you into it's world
laurel210002 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed entering into the world of this film. Watching a movie within a movie is always interesting to me. And especially when the setting is India. That the characters were shallow and yet fascinating was in itself fascinating.
Merchant/Ivory bring such a complex texture to all of their films. That's what, to me, makes them such great filmmakers And their sensibility is very much present here also.
I also liked getting some insight into the Indian culture. Ever since watching Monsoon Wedding, I seem to have an affection for it. The coloring of the people is so beautiful. The dark hair and the dark eyes. And the clothes, especially the beautiful saris the women wear. I know it is the guru/savants that draw many to the culture but I seem to find it very easy to control my enthusiasm for them. The aesthetic beauty, however, is very compelling. And the spirit of the people.
This film is worth seeing, imo. Merely to set forth the plot would not really do it justice. It's one of those instances where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Merchant/Ivory bring such a complex texture to all of their films. That's what, to me, makes them such great filmmakers And their sensibility is very much present here also.
I also liked getting some insight into the Indian culture. Ever since watching Monsoon Wedding, I seem to have an affection for it. The coloring of the people is so beautiful. The dark hair and the dark eyes. And the clothes, especially the beautiful saris the women wear. I know it is the guru/savants that draw many to the culture but I seem to find it very easy to control my enthusiasm for them. The aesthetic beauty, however, is very compelling. And the spirit of the people.
This film is worth seeing, imo. Merely to set forth the plot would not really do it justice. It's one of those instances where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
A little old - could have been worse.
sam_perera14 December 2005
An early film by my favorite trio Ivory, Merchant and Jhabvala, failed to light my senses in this nonsensical musical farce. The additional content on the DVD is much better with a feature on the very talented Helen and the customary chat with the trio on making of this movie. This film seems to insult everyone: a very uncaring and self indulgent white authoress, a very lustful Indian actor with no scruples, a charlatan guru, and a mediocre poet with an obsession to murder. Mix this lot in a movie and you get the customary tale of confusion and bad acting. Some moments of the film are memorable including the beginning scene on the giant typewriter, the incredible shots of the staircase at the hotel, and the general view into Bombay film making of the 70s. The ending is, well, rather abrupt, and I was glad it was. Rent it just for the extras on the DVD.
OK movie, Great DVD Featurette
T-276 July 2005
I agree with Dilip, it is an OK movie, but the DVD that I got from my library had an added feature - a half hour of dancer Helen. She is really over the top. So skip the movie and enjoy Helen!!!!! I have to give ten lines of text, so here goes. The opulent sets and costumes of the movie were a definite plus, a nice look at the modern wealthy Indian life style. While not great, the movie's plot did generate some interest. For me high lights of the Helen feature were her cabaret dance with an caged afro-wigged "wild man" and a portrayal of a drunken bar patron at the end. During the course of this half hour she dances through several world dance genres.
Decadent, selfish characters with no social consciences - skip this surprising dud
Dilip29 August 2003
To the point - depressing with almost no redeeming qualities. If you want to see a movie about decadent society where the characters live in their own world, totally selfish and painfully and immaturely oblivious to how their actions may affect others, or if you can at least get over this, you may enjoy the sets of a movie in the movie and perhaps some of the costumes. I picked up this video from my public library expecting something great from Merchant-Ivory-Jhabvala, but was badly disappointed. Sometimes a film leaves you feeling sad and incredulous, and usually when it does, it is for good reason, causing you to focus on elements of human nature or society and perhaps moving us to action. This film left me with negative feelings, but with very little good to remember or be inspired by. I wish I hadn't seen it - but I may have missed something that others may find corresponds to good film. 3 or 4 stars out of 10.
--Dilip, written minutes after watching this video on Aug. 29, 2003
--Dilip, written minutes after watching this video on Aug. 29, 2003
Very dated film, best not to revisit
GMeleJr14 September 2000
This 1970 movie starring the then Indian heart throb Shashi Kapoor, and his long time wife Jennifer Kendal, or Kapoor (billed with one or the other name in her films)is in a time warp. An early merchant-Ivory production, it shows how far this duo and their other usual collaborators have come. On another level, to see what Bombay looked like 30 years ago, compared to what it is today is a shocking experience in time travel. To see Shashi Kapoor as a slim youthful sex symbol today, when one has been seeing him in the 90s, say, in 'IN CUSTODY.' as an incredibly obese old dying man with now lightened hair, is also one of the most striking transformations of any former sex symbol in history. Marlon Brando resembles his former self much more than Kapoor, just to hint at the transformation. Another step back in time is to see Kapoor's long time wife (married from 1958 until her death from cancer in September 1984) in essence playing herself. Except for the refreshing, nostalgic look at Bombay, the other subjects this film features are best left alone, like the dead. What you will see is very depressing. And the entire theme of the movie, already weak in 1970, is completely irrelevant now. Spare yourself the pain. I only got through it because I didn't realize the youthful, healthy Kapoor was the monstrously looking creature he is today. And even when the utter bitchiness of the late Jennifer Kendal had me on the edge, I stuck it out through the rest of the film. But it is an experience I would not recommend.
Don't get your hopes up!
lisarollins19 February 2005
This wasn't the worst movie I've ever seen, but it was pretty awful, and I would only recommend watching it expecting the worst so that perhaps you are pleasantly surprised by it. My least favorite thing was the main female character, Lucia, and her self-obsessed, insensitive, manipulative, passive-aggressive way of behaving. She was a terrible person and also looked much older than her supposed 32 years of age! It was difficult to understand the motivations or behaviors of most of the characters and the scenes/events seemed rather disconnected. I also was hoping for a lot more of the Bollywood movie industry and got very little of that except for the opening scenes. I'm not a fan of this movie.
One of the worst films of all time
ecohen4913 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Sorry, I love most Merchant-Ivory films, but this was truly agonizing to watch. I only watched it all the way through because I kept thinking it had to get better...but it never did. Also, on the DVD version that I watched the sound quality was horrible. It sounded as if it were recorded on a Fisher-Price tape recorder.
One thing I dislike in films is when the main characters are not at all sympathetic. Unfortunately, that's another of this films shortcomings. The three main characters are all self-obsessed, self pitying wretches, and the dialog they have been given by the screenwriter (whom I also usually adore) is simply pathetic.
By the time I got to the end of the film, I was praying that they wouldn't give in to the urge to end the film with the trite senseless killing that they telegraphed earlier with close-ups of the murder weapon; but they did. Another disappointment.
Even if you've set yourself a goal of watching all of James Ivory's films, you may guiltlessly excuse yourself from this one. It's just not up to his usual standards.
One thing I dislike in films is when the main characters are not at all sympathetic. Unfortunately, that's another of this films shortcomings. The three main characters are all self-obsessed, self pitying wretches, and the dialog they have been given by the screenwriter (whom I also usually adore) is simply pathetic.
By the time I got to the end of the film, I was praying that they wouldn't give in to the urge to end the film with the trite senseless killing that they telegraphed earlier with close-ups of the murder weapon; but they did. Another disappointment.
Even if you've set yourself a goal of watching all of James Ivory's films, you may guiltlessly excuse yourself from this one. It's just not up to his usual standards.
Oh man, that's tedious
bjacob19 November 2017
I love the Merchant Ivory films and I love the 70s aesthetics, so I was quite drawn initially into this movie. The initial sequence around the giant typewriter is spectacular.
Unfortunately, it just fizzled out from that moment onwards. I just couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters: the guys are stupid, the female lead vain, narcissistic and self-centered to the point of implosion.
It remains somewhat watchable as a document of an era, but it's a surprisingly poor movie.
Unfortunately, it just fizzled out from that moment onwards. I just couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters: the guys are stupid, the female lead vain, narcissistic and self-centered to the point of implosion.
It remains somewhat watchable as a document of an era, but it's a surprisingly poor movie.
Visually Compelling, Well-Acted and Unique
endymion8227 December 2000
I don't know of many films that explore behind the scenes of the prolific Indian film industry, but I love the view into a new world offered by this one. In general, I like the films of Merchant-Ivory- they are almost always beautiful, well-crafted, well-acted and excellent at handling delicate subject matter, subtle emotions, and stories of character growth and psychology. I think BOMBAY TALKIE is one of the best, on par with the later triumphs of A ROOM WITH A VIEW, HOWARD'S END and REMAINS OF THE DAY. Visually, the movie has that stunning, crisp, breath-taking combination of color, light and space that made every frame of A ROOM WITH A VIEW so wonderful to watch- and the beauty of the film's (BOMBAY TALKIE)visuals are especially nice considering it was made in 1970. The use of music, singing and dance also bring an interesting quirkiness to the film, and help present the world of the characters- all of whom are interesting, especially the hero, his wife Marla (who gives a stunning performance), and his ex-girlfriend (the scene between her and the hero, once Lucia has left him to follow a guru, is one of the most beautifully executed late night conversation scenes I've ever seen, and gives so much insight into a relatively insignificant character's life and relationships- on par with the drinking scene in Hal Hartley's SIMPLE MEN). Most fantastic about this film was the screenplay- one of Ruth Prawer Jbvala's better ones, well-directed (as usual) by James Ivory. It is poetic, when it needs to be, sinister when the moment calls for it, and it ties nicely into the ending with excellent stops along the way to comment on Hollywood film making, sham-spiritualism quests by Westerners in India, the loneliness of art, the stupidity of petty, fear-controlled people, and the destructive quality of unhealthy obsession. A fine, enjoyable film, not at all dated, not for everyone by any means, but worth looking into if you're interested in seeing something different.
You could do a lot better...
planktonrules28 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This is a film about two very annoying people from very different cultures. Lucia Lane (Jennifer Kendal) is a British author who is visiting India. A screenwriter is obviously enamored with her but she is drawn towards Vikram (Shashi Kapoor). The two begin an affair--one that seems built on selfishness. After all, she's already been married four times and he is currently married. Because of this and Lucia's unpredictable and moody behavior (the b-word comes to mind when I think of her), it's really hard to care about this couple. However, it also seems that they are doomed for disaster--something I actually looked forward to! Normally, you are NOT supposed to wish to see a tragic ending--but because I hated both the characters so much, I couldn't wait! Unfortunately, it isn't horrible enough--as even killing the couple wouldn't have been good enough to merit my wasting my time on "Bombay Talkie"!
This is a rather bad romantic movie. While I love the behind the scenes look at the Indian film industry, the story itself was tepid and the characters vapid. And, interestingly, the romance between Lucia and Vikram is totally unconvincing, as in real life the pair were married and remained so for many years (until Kendal's death). The only thing else I really liked was the way the opening credits were done! All in all, a very poor film--mostly because the script is poor and the dialog is even worse. A clear misfire.
This is a rather bad romantic movie. While I love the behind the scenes look at the Indian film industry, the story itself was tepid and the characters vapid. And, interestingly, the romance between Lucia and Vikram is totally unconvincing, as in real life the pair were married and remained so for many years (until Kendal's death). The only thing else I really liked was the way the opening credits were done! All in all, a very poor film--mostly because the script is poor and the dialog is even worse. A clear misfire.
Poor stuff
nevoneville11 May 2020
A sad take on Bollywood. The plot is predictable, the space lethargic and the characters off-putting. Worst of all it is dubbed, and dubbed badly. In the second half of the C20 there was no excuse for such shoddy work, especially from film makers of such fame: compared with Shakespeare Wallah and other fine movies made by the same team it is dismal. It should have been called Bombay Dubbie. It is little consolation that many great creative artists have their lapses. Curiosity value apart the film has little or no merit.
Compelling and Repelling
GypsiB6 May 2018
Lucia Lane (Jennifer Kendal), self-absorbed and demanding, is a British author who has come to Bombay to research her next novel. She falls in love with Vikram (played by Kendal's real-life husband Shashi Kapoor), a younger, popular Bollywood hero. The already complicated relationship is worsened by the fact that Vikram's wife (Aparna Sen) knows of the affair, and that his friend, Hari (Zia Mohyeddin), is in love with Lucia, and roiling with jealousy.
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala has written a screenplay that is both credible and compelling, with dark undertones. One simply can't like Lucia and Vikram, and yet one must continue to watch as they head towards disaster. As with many Merchant Ivory films, this one relies heavily on the actors' facial expressions to show emotions and set the mood, and these four main actors do an excellent job. Overall, it's a rather unpleasant movie that will simultaneously grip and repel, and keep the viewer watching till the very end.
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala has written a screenplay that is both credible and compelling, with dark undertones. One simply can't like Lucia and Vikram, and yet one must continue to watch as they head towards disaster. As with many Merchant Ivory films, this one relies heavily on the actors' facial expressions to show emotions and set the mood, and these four main actors do an excellent job. Overall, it's a rather unpleasant movie that will simultaneously grip and repel, and keep the viewer watching till the very end.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
