Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Okay, so this movie is predictable as far as its storyline, and some parts are a little cheesy. But Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant are great actors, and they make a good pair in this movie about a marriage on the rocks. Paul (played by Grant) and Meryl (played by Parker) are separated because Paul slept with another woman. But there is much more to their separation than meets the eye. Paul realizes he has made a mistake and he knows he loves Meryl. The problem lies in how to show her, how to gain her trust and how to get himself back in her good books. "I was so in love with you," explains Meryl in one scene. "But now I can't help but to wish you excruciating pain." (or something along those lines).

Lucky for Paul, a turn of events helps take Meryle away from regular life responsibilities and daily schedules. He gets more time to show her how sorry he is and how much he wants her back in his life. Truth, fears, anger, and new lessons come about to teach Paul and Meryl what is really important in life.

My favourite parts are the trip to the Bargain Barn, the moments of simplicity and the way the couple were forced to live life again without using the phone or computer. We should all try that some time! I think that in itself would solve so many relationship problems- just getting back to talking and spending real time together, rather than getting engrossed in texts and voicemails and emails.

There are funny lines, scenes filled with sarcasm and some cute smiles in this movie from time to time. But it is the subtle and serious reminders about relationships that kept this movie going for me-reminders of what a marriage is really about, what love is really about and what living is really about. It's not about your chauffeur, or your long list of business dates and the next client knocking at your door. It's about people, about enjoying life, about getting back to who we are without all the flashy clothes and titles.

I think this movie put a little hope in me because I've just been hearing so many stories from friends and family about less passion, less trust, less time spent together, more responsibilities and less ... well LOVE in what should be love-filled relationships, love filled marriages. Sure, I realize marriages take work, and they are not always perfect, but when people don't even know what to talk about anymore... that's when I just feel like something needs to change. And that's what this movie is about... a much needed change in scenery that allows for a change in perspective and a realization of what each person wants, what each person needs.

Ironically, all these changes take the couple back to a reminder of why they got married in the first place. I like the way this is portrayed more with some semblance of realism in this movie- acknowledging that people are imperfect, that we have to see what a person is genuinely like rather seeing them only the way we want them to be. I also love the acknowledgment that trust needs to be regained.

I wish I could tell everyone I know, especially the couples going through a rough patch in their relationships, about this movie. I guess I'll just start here. Go see Did You Hear About the Morgans!

Bright Star

Thank you for telling me about this one, Neems! Bright Star. had me from the very first stitch. (In the opening scene, Fanny Brawne, played by Abbie Cornish, is weaving an intricate piece of embroidery).

This movie is based on the true story of the love between Frances Brawne (Fanny) and the famous romantic poet John Keats. The actual words from the poems and letters that Keats wrote way back in the 1800's to Fanny are used throughout the movie.

Though at first, Fanny almost seems to dislike Keats, it doesn't take long for her to become intrigued by his writing, by his creativity and ideas. And she wants to learn from him.

Their relationship quickly goes from one of teacher and student to deep, devotional love. It's a beautiful, innocent, but very intense love. And soon, it becomes almost obsessive. The young couple can't seem to live without one another. But with their different social and economic backgrounds, as well as the fact that Keats becomes very ill, both their families separate decide that it is best for Keats to go away.

Separated from her love, Fanny locks herself in her room, first collecting butterflies in the hope that her love will soon return. But as time goes on without him, the butterflies soon die, and so does Fanny's spirit. She no longer enjoys anything she did in the past, and Keats' is the only thing that she seems to want.

Sadly, Keats dies of turberculosis at the very early age of 25. But what seems even more tragici is that he never knew what an amazing talent and writer he was during his liftetime. In fact, as the afternote in the movie reveals, Keats often thought himself a failure and was often criticized for his work by his peers. If only he could have known that hundreds of years later, he is revered and admired, and that his writing inspires and moves us today. If only he knew the everlasting power of his words and his hard work...

John Keats was a genius. And this movie was a great reminder of that. I can't wait to delve back into my Romantic Poetry notes from university, and to reread Keats' works, especially the letters he wrote to Fanny.

Bright Star

by John Keats

Bright star. Would I were stedfast as thou art--

Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night

And watching with eternal lids apart,

Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite.

The moving waters at their priestlike task

Of pure ablution round earth's human shores.

Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask

Of snow upon the mountains and the moors--

No--yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,

Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast.

To feel forever its soft fall and swell,

Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,

Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath.

And so live ever-- or else swoon to death.

Love Happens

"It really does," said the cashier at the theater when I asked for one ticket for Love Happens. I actually thought I heard him wrong. "What did you say?" I asked. "Were you talking to me?" I added. And he confirmed it- "Love really does happen," he repeated. "Maybe not to Jennifer Aniston, but it does," he said with a smile. I was impressed that this young guy was so confident and secure in expressing his views... about love, too, and it made me all the more curious to watch the movie.

But surprisingly, there seemed to be less of a love story in this and more of a life story- many life stories, actually. I think the movie was more about forgiveness- of others and yourself and about mistakes, accidents, and coming to terms with unexpected turn of events. It's about moving forward and making the most of what you've got. I'd like to retitle it Life Happens, because the main character, Burke Ryan, played by Aaron Eckhart, is struggling to make sense of, or go on with his life after the tragic death of his wife.

He turns towards helping others sort out their problems, giving them tools on how to overcome their hurt and pain, but all the while covering up the reality of his own grief and guilt. Even after hearing others, seeing and feeling their devastation but also their courage to go on, Burke doesn't really acknowledge or admit his true emotions until he meets Eloise, played by Jennifer Aniston. Eloise allows Burke to see that he needs to take his own advice, and talk about what really happened to his wife, in order to move forward.

He is reminded that admitting to the anger, guilt and pain of the situation is not only okay but also necessary in the healing process. The emphasis on the importance of honesty towards oneself in the move is inspiring and refreshing.

This movie takes place in Seattle. It was great to recognize a slam poet- (known as Spelt?), who frequents the Vancouver open mic venues in one of the scenes in this movie!

And okay, so the movie wasn't filled with gushing, passionate romance, but a little bit of love, and the hope and potential of new love, was definitely present.

Love Happens? Of course it does! You better believe it. I still do!

Robyn with a Y

I went to return Outsourced this evening, and made sure that I thanked the girl at the store who helped me so much. I found out her name is Robyn, spelled with a Y. You know that someone is pretty imaginative when they replace the normal 'i' in their name for a 'y'.

Robyn, if you are reading this, the blog entry called "At the Rental Store" is the one you should check out. It's below the one called Outsourced (Dated August 30th).

Thanks again, not just for your help, but also for enjoying your job enough to make searching for a movie so fun for me too!

Outsourced

Okay, so the woman at the rental store was right (see last posting below). Outsourced was exactly what I needed last night- it's not too heavy but still has a good storyline and includes a little bit of humour and romance.

In this movie, the main character Todd gets outsourced from his job in Seattle and is sent to India. Though Todd does not want to go, he has worked for the company for so many years that he doesn't think there is another option. So, landing in Bombay, and then heading to Gara Puri(?), Todd sets out to train his replacement- Puro- and to teach Puro and the Indian workers at a call center about the U.S. "Basically, you need to learn more about America," he says at the outset of his presentation to the workers. He even goes so far as to attempt to change the Indian employees' accents. "Hold your nose when you say the word Chicaaago," he coaches them.

But after making what seem like inconsiderate comments towards the call center workers- for example, describing the process of branding cows (sacred to Indians) with hot irons- and not finding out what is actually important to the workers themselves, Todd is told by the sweet and smart Asha that he needs to learn more about India.

But how can he? The employees are not working up to par, Todd's phone gets pickpocketed many times over by a little Indian kid nearby, everyone mispronounces Todd's name and calls him Mr. Toad, and Todd can't seem to stomach the Indian food he is given. So when Todd sees an advertisement in the paper for McDonnell's, he pays for a ride all the way back to Bombay to get some real American food. But Todd is disappointed when the burger joint is nothing like the McDonald's he is familiar with. While he is there, however, another American man joins Todd for lunch and gives him some advice:

"I remember feeling like you do. I was resisting India, but once I gave in, I did much better."

Todd seems unaware of what this man means, until the day of Holi-"Celebration of colour, changing of seasons," explains Puro. Todd goes out into the streets wearing a clean shirt and dress pants unaware of what is in store for everyone that day. He gets covered in all kinds of coloured powder in a matter of minutes.

Though at first, he appears frustrated and ready to give up, he ends up throwing water bombs/balloons and balls of powder back at the Indians and joins in on the festivities. Soon, Todd is laughing and playing. And after, washing himself off in a lake, with many of the other Indians, Todd finally slows down to look around him. Despite the remnants of the red and blue powder all over his face and clothes, we finally see a smile and sense of peace radiating from Todd's face after he dips his head under the water and glides along the lake. Todd starts enjoying and appreciating his surroundings, rather than fighting against them.

And what beautiful surroundings they are. This movie created an even greater desire in me to go to India than I already thought I had. The rich, vibrant colours, the warm family values, the busy markets and stands, and the lively music and food- I felt like I could almost hear and smell them right near me. Or maybe I wanted to. The excitement of travel, of learning about a new culture, of sharing one's culture with another, kept me drawn to the movie.

And then of course, there is a little romance between the American white boy Todd, and the Indian Asha. And yes, it is a little cheesy the way the mango on Todd's face in the Kamasutra Hotel is what brings the two together in a kiss. But their cross cultural relationship, their openness to one another, and their ability to listen to one another, to learn from one another, is still sweet enough.

I think the relationship was just a way for both Todd and Asha to start fresh, to look at life from another perspective, and let go of the past that may have been holding them back. As Asha explains, Todd is like a bindhi, a third eye that helps you see more than you can when your two eyes are not enough. But Asha does the same or more for Todd as well.

Todd asks Asha why a particular Goddess, Kali hangs on Indian walls or adorns the dash boards of cars.

"Kali is the Goddess of Destruction," explains Asha. "Sometimes destruction can be good. She ends one cycle so that a new one can begin."

And Todd's experience in India destroys the past patterns of his life, and starts something anew for him- a new appreciation for the simple things in his life, and a new awareness of all the choices he actually has open to him.

And finally, Asha reminds Todd of the words he shared with her that changed her mindset: "Asha can do anything," he had said. And because of this, Asha finally truly believes it.

This movie, though predictable at times, is definitely an inspiring, fun and adventurous one. Thank you that helpful employee at the rental store for recommending it to me.

At the Rental Store

It is rare for me to walk into a movie rental store and find an employee of the shop who not only has seen many of the movies there, and is really helpful to customers like me (comes out from behind the counter to find me something to watch), but who also seems to have the same taste in movies as I do.

But tonight, I was that lucky. I tried to read the name tag on this super sales associate's shirt, but her long hair was covering it. I guess I could have simply asked, but I felt as if I had already asked so many questions.

But this girl really knew her movies. She was also really excited about sharing her knowledge with me, and she spent the time explaining short plot summaries, the cast, as well as the genre of movies she recommended, with pleasure. I was worried about the person behind me waiting in line, but the employee took charge, and showed me out towards the racks of movies, while her coworker took the till.

We perused the aisles of movies together and she took in the preferences that I gave her with care. She listened and took me over to the drama section which she advised was quite popular for the kind of movie I was looking for.

Movies that she recommended:
Simply Irresistible (which was unfortunately out tonight), Freedom Writers (Have I seen that? Well, I should because its title is made up of two things that are of great importance to me-Freedom and Writing), Marley and Me, and Havoc. I asked her about The Boy With the Striped Pygamas. She said it was good, but she cried in it. And I appreciated how considerate she was of my request to find me something that would not be too serious, too heavy, and most importantly would not put me in tears. And that's a hard request to satisfy since I seem to cry easily in sad, sentimental, inspirational, happy and sometimes even funny movies!

So, I picked Outsourced which I was told was a light comedy whic included a little romance in India- an all around feel good movie.
Yes, that's what I was looking for.

And of course, I had to grab a pack of those almond M&M's that Michelle got me addicted to. I can't watch a movie without them now. The girl who helped with the movies informed me of the deal on the candies at the moment- any 2 packs for $5.00. She's good! Because of her great service (that's my excuse) I had to take a second pack of the new dark chocolate M&M's to finish my purchase (Hey. I read an article today about the benefits of dark chocolate).

So I'm off to watch the movie right now.
I'll let you know how it goes.

17 Again

This is a great rental that I probably wouldn't have chosen myself, but I'm so glad that Renee and Steve invited me over to watch it last night. We laughed a lot, especially in any of the scenes that Thomas Lennon was in because Lennon really made the movie. He was absolutely hilarious as the character Ned, the best friend of Matthew Perry's (and Zac Efron's) character.

Sounds confusing? Well, Perry and Efron play the same character- Mike O'Donell- but at different stages in his life. Afterall, this is a movie about a man, Mike, who complains so much about the opportunities he lost in his teenage years, that when he makes a wish to be seventeen again, it actually gets granted.

So Mike is given another chance to possibly be scouted out for college basketball, to realize the dreams he thinks he has lost. But through his journey, there are other factors he is given glimpses into, different than in his teenage years: his son's struggle to fit in at school, and his daughter's being introduced to dating, sexuality and broken hearts. Plus, though the seventeen year old Mike is running around classes in highschool and playing ball, the reality is that this same Mike is a husband in the midst of divorcing his high school sweetheart Scarlet.

What Mike learns along the way changes everyone's decisions and lives.

If you are looking for a cute movie, with laughs, hopes and wisdom, I say rent 17 Again. It was a good pick that I didn't even know I wanted to see until my friends and I were curled up on the couch, smiling throughout.

Julie and Julia

Do you ever feel like you're not sure what you want to do in your life? -That you need some sort of inspiration, some direction and some courage to pick up a new hobby, explore other sides or talents within yourself? Or maybe you want to leave what you're comfortable with entirely, and find the motivation to let go and pursue your dreams? This is what Julie and Julia is about, and what makes it more fascinating is that it's a true story- actually, it's based on two true stories- one about young Julie Powell, who, living in Queens, New York, with her husband, is looking for a pass time to make her life more meaningful. The other story is about the enchanting and charismatic Julia Child. Both with a love of food and cooking, their stories run separately throughout the movie. But the connection that Julie creates with Julia Child becomes very influential in her life. Child's cooking and creativity inspires the young Julie without even knowing it. And Julie Powell portrays Julia Child as a perfect woman, her savior, in her own mind and in the hearts and minds of her readers.

Julie starts blogging her cooking adventures, after realizing that she needs something more valuable in her life, something that gives her purpose, a sense of accomplishment, something she can for once, actually complete. She sets a deadline of a year to cook up all of the recipes in Julia Child's cookbook, and bases her blog on this project.

How does she do? Julie cries on the kitchen floor when her dishes turn into disasters, she screams in terror as she tries to boil live crabs and the lid of the pot flies open, and she burns her great beef borgignon dish because she is so exhausted and sleeps past its cooking time. But all the while, she creates an environment she is excited to come home to, a challenge that keeps her learning, an art that gives her a sense of purpose. And most importantly, Julie perseveres despite the setbacks.

Meanwhile, Julia Child's story also seems full of hurdles and disappointments. She goes through similar emotions as Julie, even though Julia spends much of her time in Paris, with her husband, surrounded by lavish clothes, furniture and the training of the Cordon Bleu cooking school.

The energy and passion that both women put into their work, the faith they muster up from within themselves, and the fears they admit to but still face head on, and fight through is inspiring. Julie goes from being a cubicle girl at work, who hates her job and doesn't have any "power", to a woman who begins cooking up a storm, refusing to give up on her project, even when her own mother tries to convince her it is a waste of time.

This is a great movie about how even people who we don't know personally can motivate and inspire us, can change our lives9- how art and artists, even from a distance, can create an energy within us that drives us to astonishing feats. Julia Child's will and tenacity creates a strength in Julie that allows her to go for what she wants, despite her fears of not knowing what would come of her project, of her blog.

Thanks for sharing your story, Julie Powell (this movie is based on her book), and for giving us an example of true courage, honesty and a journey to finding yourself. If we could all find that thing that drives us, that makes us feel alive, that gets us excited to wake up every morning, we would be so lucky. Actually, I think we all have it, we just need to be more open to letting it in, and believing that it will grow and form if we allow it to.

This movie makes me want to blog and write, and write and blog, and never ever ever give up on my dreams. What did I learn?

• Maybe hard work really does pay off.
• A husband CAN be supportive about his wife's creative endeavours.
• Living in Queens is not so bad.
• Cooking CAN be fun.
• And people might actually be reading my blog, even if they don't make any comments on it.

Crazy/Beautiful

This movie should just be called "He is crazy beautiful, or Jay is crazy beautiful", because Jay Hernandez is just that. He plays the character Carlos, a young, good looking (lol!) teenager who decides to take a chance on the girl he loves.

It's definitely my kind of movie- an all for love kind of movie- but more comes of it, as each character develops further.

I was glued to the television because of Carlos (Jay). Wow! I couldn't stop staring. Hernandez is definitely one of my new favourite actors. And Kirsten Dunst, playing the role of Nicole, does an amazing job as the out of control teenager who no one seems to know how to handle. But then Jay shows up, showing her real love. Ironically, it seems that it is Nicole's love for Carlos that spurs on his belief in her, and the realization of his own feelings.

Bruce Davison, who plays Tom, Nicole's father, performs in some very touching scenes in which his character grows and becomes more sensitive and understanding. He loves his daughter, but starts off not knowing how to show it, or what to do with her. But by the end of the movie, Tom realizes he just needs to show her his love, that Nicole just needs love.

A great movie about family relationships, about believing in someone, about having the ability to turn things around despite mistakes and past pain, and about accepting someone, faults and all and still loving them for who they really are.

"There are millions of people out there, but in the end, it all really comes down to one," says Nicole.

She keeps one photo of Jay with her all the time. Yah, I would keep photos of him as well! That beautiful boy made my night!

Jay Hernandez, those dimples, that smile.... ahhhhh....

A related article I found on the internet about the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Hernandez and the movie:
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Jay Hernandez's Secret Heartache
16 July 2001
Hunky Latin actor Jay Hernandez movie success is tinged with sorrow because the man who guided his career died just as their dream was coming true. As his film Crazy/Beautiful was premiering in Hollywood, his manager and mentor Howard Tyner suddenly collapsed from a heart attack. He fell into a coma and died two weeks later, leaving Hernandez heartbroken. The 21-year-old star explains, "There are so many things going through my head. I keep hearing his words. He has been more than my manager - he's like a part of my family." Tyner discovered the Mexican-American actor three years ago in an elevator. He enrolled Hernandez into acting school and sent his pictures to casting agents. Then Hernandez hit success with his role opposite Kirsten Dunst. Now he faces the future without his friend to show him the way. But he is remaining positive and staying focused on his own real-life goals - especially making Tyner proud. He says, "It's all about doing the right films and choosing the right roles."

(copies from website http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250224/news#ni0066892)

Into The Wild

Initially, this movie stirred an excitement in me because of the main character Chris' determination to live in ultimate freedom and truth. But as his adventures continue, and Chris makes his way to his destination-Alaska, the truths that Chris is running from are slowly revealed

I was kept on edge in this movie, not only because of the risks Chris takes and his courage to persevere, but also because I wondered what was to come of the relationship between him and his family waiting back home.

I felt saddened at the realization that if more truths were shared between the family- things could have turned out so differently for all of them.

Chris decides not to let his family in on his pain and anger, as they kept secrets hidden from him and themselves as well.

I was touched by his sister Carine's ability to let him go, to let him tell the story that she knew he needed to tell. She remains supportive of him and his decisions throughout. Her narration of this deep and powerful story kept Chris linked to the past he was determined to get away from. But also, the closeness between the siblings, despite the distance Chris puts between them physically, becomes very apparent by Carine's sensitive comments. She truly understands her brother's drive, his adventurousness, but also his pain and frustration and needing to get away from all of it.

Chris could see that others around him were not truly living their lives, so he goes out to live his, as truly as he possibly can. And on the way, he meets people who are forever changed by Chris, but who also teach Chris what it really means to live. His notes and journal entries kept me intrigued throughout the movie as they let us in on what Chris perceived to be worth recording.

It wasn't until the end of the movie that I realized this was all based on a true story. It really was amazing the way it was put together, but more amazing was the thought of this actually taking place in the real world. It demonstrates both the strength and the weakness that dreams, but also fear and pain can bring about, and what drives different individuals to different places and experiences. Human beings are so complicated and sensitive to how they are brought up and what surrounds them. This movie was just a reminder into these complexities of the human spirit.

The Guitar

"Once, there was a girl who walked straight, yet she was truly lame. She walked upright and in ... boots, yet I tell you, her feet were bare.

She lives forever. Yet she lives buried in a vault of fertile air.

And if she, shaken from her torpor, should rise to write, what would she write?"

Love it, love it, love it! It gives me goosebumps just thinking about this movie. And it's so fitting for my life right now, and probaby for many people out there. This is another great movie about the power of music, but also about our own human power to look within ourselves for healing, strength and inspiration.

Faith, freedom, living for the moment, enjoying the present... so many great themes run thoughout this movie. I admire the courage of the writer. Such stimulating, sensual, and refreshing ideas.

And that Saffron Burrows... what a beautiful actress.

I will try to write more when I can sit down and really pour my thoughts out about this one. For now, all I can say is it is definitely my favourite movie, and will probably be for a long time. Watch it, and learn from it. I really needed this, and maybe there are parts that will speak deeply to you too.

"And so it is offered in these optimistic though viral times, a souvenir of another time, with this added prayer:

In art and dream- may you proceed with abandon.

And in life- may you proceed with balance and stealth."

- Writer of The Guitar - Amos Poe

Prime

Hmmm... this one is a little too close to home right now, if you know what I mean. But I particularly liked the range of emotions it captured- nervousness, excitement, curiosity, anger, fear, love, confusion, pain, fun, and sadness. But it wasn't over the top. The situations seemed so plausible. I liked that.

A few of my favourite parts:
1. the first kiss between the two main characters- Rafi (Uma Thurman) and Dave (Bryan Greenberg)
2. when Rafi bowls over with laughter after finding out that Dave's roommates are in fact his grandparents. But she still loves him anyway. I still can't stop laughing when I picture that scene when they sneak into his home.
3. all the run-ins Dave has with the concierge of her building, especially the last one.
4. when Dave's mom (played by Meryl Streep) says, "Don't do this," and he says, "I'm DOING it." I just wanted to say, "YES!" or give him a hi-five or something.
5. when Rafi holds Dave's sweater collatoral before he leaves her place, and nuzzles it against her face
6. the smile on Dave's face when he says, "I really like this girl, man. I think I could love her."
7. everything that came immediately after the, "So, how was your trip?" line and Rafi says, "Who cares?" The look in her eyes when she says it... whoohoo!
8. Dave's paintings... and her reaction to them
9. when Rafi and Dave go to the Hamptons and Rafi's friend asks Dave, "Do you care if your kids are Jewish?" and he says, "I care if they're happy," and Rafi says to him proudly, "Good answer."
10. the scene at the elevator- so sweet

Brick Lane

I don't know if I should wait for the tears to stop falling before I actually comment on this movie. I just finished watching Brick Lane on DVD and I'm so glad that the girl at Roger's Video help me choose this one over the other movie I had in my hand at the checkout.

Brick Lane makes me appreciate being female, being a daughter and having a mother who not just endures life, but tries so hard to keep me smiling through it, even when if she is not always happy at every moment. It makes me want to have daughters too and share the same with them. And I have to say that it makes me so grateful for living in a time and place where I am free to make choices in my career, in my words, and in love.

I was hurting for the characters in the movie- the heartache and confusion they felt. Right from the start, the main character - Nazneen, a young Bangladeshi girl- has to face her mother committing suicide only a short distance from where her and her sister were playing. "Nobody talks about my mother's death," she explains. "My mother said that if we wanted to question things, we should have been men."

Not only does Nazneen not ask questions, but she rarely speaks her mind or says what she wants. And the frustration of her silence nearly made me want to scream for her. As I watched her being taken to a run down home in London, living with an overweight, demanding husband, who only seemed to talk about his own education and success, I was outraged. That scene where she was clipping and cleaning his fat, ugly toenails while he lay lazy in bed just disgusted me. I couldn't stand the way she was unable to be herself, to express what she really felt. But I was thinking more about what I want out of my life, rather than considering what this person who is not me might be searching for.

So when the young and and passionate Karim shows up in Nazneen's life, I couldn't help smiling along with her. She looks beautiful in her moments of 'freedom' with him- freedom to feel- and the way he paid attention to her, kissed her so tenderly... I felt this relief that finally someone was caring for and loving her.

But as the movie went on, things became more complicated. What choices would she make? How would she continue to be happy without hurting her family? Would she give up her new found happiness and instead continue to be untrue to herself?

As the movie progressed, I started learning more about what Nazneen really wanted, what happiness was to her.

Though they may not have been the choices I would have made, there was a surprising peace that came about in me from the lessons I learned from Nazneen's choices. Her actions and the thoughts that she shares along the way- whether she sneaks on a sparkly tube top under her sari in the bathroom, or lets her wavy dark hair fall free over her lover's chest, or when she giggles with her daughter over her sister's love affairs, and even later, when she is gentle and honest with her husband- I was given a different perspective on what Nazneen was searching for.

This is definitely a thought provoking movie, especially for you sisters, mothers and daughters out there. Great images, dialogues, pauses and themes in the movie- the idea of being torn between two worlds, being one I, and I'm sure many other people could relate to on varying levels.

And I'm tempted to find the novel Brick House by Monica Ali on which the movie is based. I am curious to know if the descriptions of the Bangladeshi village and Nazneen's emotions are as beautifully written as I imagine them to be.