Movie Review: Statutory warning: Please do not go expecting another genre-bending cinematic experience from the filmmaker who gave us Bend it Like Beckham, that gem of a film that became a Bible for almost any and every young girl aspiring to fly over the gender bind. This time round, Gurinder Chadha doesn't manage to hold up a crackling mirror to the desi experience of growing up in phoren soil, despite anchoring her story once again in a Punjabi family that tries to cling to the Indian way of life in old Blighty.
Also, don't go expecting laughs all the way. Because, unlike Bend
it...there isn't much to tickle the funny bone here. The humour is sparse and the comedy bordering on the uncanny. Like, are we really supposed to laugh at the interaction of a serial killer with her victims who have been killed with an overdose of curry, kebabs, nans, rolling pins, rat poison and even a pair of garden scissors. Okay, so the victims may be Blithe Spirits who have forgiven her and can even weep for her unmarried daughter, but come on, she is the infamous `curry killer' who has been haunting the streets, isn't she! More importantly, she's been bumping people off simply because they rejected her daughter. Funny, anybody? All of the portly Mrs Sethi's (Shabana Azmi) dark circles and desperate widow status don't end up making this an uproarious black comedy.
Then again, is the over-the-top climax supposed to set us rolling in the aisles? Understandably, it's supposed to be an inspired Asian spoof on the climax of the cult horror film, Carrie. But Sally Hawkin's psychic attack with tandoori chicken missiles and samosa shrapnel hardly stands up to Sissy Spacek's horrific blood-drenched revenge on prom night.
All in all, It's a Wonderful Afterlife is essentially a bundle of missed opportunities. The filmmakers wanted to unleash a gentle laugh at themselves -- the burgeoning Asian community in Britain which still hangs on to moribund Indian traditions when it comes to girls and marriage. Every Indian-born mother obsesses about her daughter's (Goldy Notay) wedding to a well-settled NRI munda. For a mother like Shabana Azmi, it becomes the sole reason for her entire existence, so much so, it even leads her to murder. She cannot conceive of leaving her daughter unwed, despite the fact that she's an independent young girl who believes singleton is also a valid state to be in. And the fact that her daughter's India-returned best friend (Sally Hawkins) has managed to find a desi beau, despite being a firangi, only adds to her woes. Of course, Hawkin's marriage -- to Jimmi Mistry -- is merely an extension of her touristy affair with India, but mum can't see that. Also, she's more bothered about the young and handsome cop (Senthil Ramamurthy) who has begun to make frequent visits to their house. Could he be the answer to her prayers for her daughter? Don't fat girls deserve a chance too? Must a moustached upper lip matter more than a woman's good-natured heart?
Nice questions, all these, but not so nattily answered. It's a Wonderful Afterlife could have...would have...should have...but all it does is end up as average fare: Indian curry yes, yet minus the tangy flavour. Also, the actors don't really get to grow on you, which is quite sad, since Shabana Azmi might just have set the screen on fire, if she knew what her brief was: to make us laugh or cry! Goldy shows promise and Senthil? Well, Senthil just looks good.
A word about:
Performances: Sadly, the characters aren't well fleshed out and don't know if they are supposed to play it straight or funny. Shabana disappoints, despite the fact that she's specially put on weight for this role. Goldy Notay is watchable, while Senthil Ramamurthy doesn't have much to do. Yes, he does get to remove his shirt in a scene!
Story: Scripted by Paul Mayeda Berges and Gurinder Chadha, the film tries to document the Asian experience in Britain. However, it merely skims through it.
Music: The audio track is indeed a winner. Directed by Bally Sagoo and Sukhwinder, the music of the film is a vibrant mish-mash of bhangra, pop, hip hop and English songs too to appeal to the Indian diaspora. Watch out for the Sukhwinder and Rahat Fateh Ali number.
Inspiration: The pre-climax party scene has been lifted from the cult classic, Carrie. But what was supposed to be a spoof isn't really funny.
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