TRISHNA – The Review

Review by Dane Marti

Starring the spellbinding Indian actress, Freida Pinto, the film, TRISHNA  impressively examines a modern relationship in all its complex angles – by turns, the story is tragic, realistic, subtle and entertaining: Nothing in this film seems plastic or contrived.

Neither as hyperkinetic as SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE or as Hollywood-infused as RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (two of Pinto’s earlier hit movies), this evocative film is a treat in more ways than one:

Trishna lives with her family in a rather poor village in an Indian state known as Rajasthan. She’s the oldest daughter and definitely the prettiest, although the entire world doesn’t stop and stare hungrily as she walks the countryside. The role could easily have been played by an average looking person and still worked as well. The reason why this actress was chosen for the role is that she is talented, a “name” and – well, she makes the viewer want to take the films journey with her!

In contrast to her humble world, Jay is a much more ‘westernized’ young man. Played with understated honesty by Riz Ahmed, Jay is both wealthy and hip. His father is a blind and powerful property owner who dotes on budgies in his spare time. Jay’s family compound is very spectacular. Hell, I’d definitely live there.

The attractive couple meet at a dance; their attraction happens slowly, yet seems much more sincere than a plethora of stilted, cinematic love stories continually being cranked-out by tinsel town like obese sausages.

Still, as cute as the young couple seems to be, there are also unpleasant problems lurking in their future: it’s akin to an influenza which infects a society and cannot be brushed aside due to the dictates of sweet, effervescent love: Basically, they are from drastically different levels of society! Meanwhile, the world keeps shifting.

Although beautiful, the actress is able to play a character who isn’t simply glamorous and gleaming, but uncertain and cautious about her place in modern India. Dedicated to her poor family, Trishna is definitely lovely on the inside as well as on the exterior! Pinto cleverly conveys her character’s uncertain feelings about Jay’s glitzy, larger existence: Mumbai.

At the start of the film, Trishna is shy and immersed in her tightly knit family, but a viewer can tell that she wants to be released and experience new things; On the other hand, his “world” fills her with wonder, along with more than a little uncertainty. These feelings and thoughts are exacerbated as the film moves steadily toward its climax.

Thankfully, this basic premise does not become the obligatory Romeo and Juliet-type love story, but a vivid and solemn investigation of a bond in modern India. Not everything is picture-postcard perfect. Painful, provocative truths come to head as the film moves forward.

Director Michael Winterbottom has shown himself to be skilled in diverse and different cinematic worlds: whether it is a film dealing with club music, or violent, savage Noir (The Killer Inside Me), Winterbottom is an underrated filmmaker, a masterful director that never veers too far into either the traditional “genre” landscape or the artistic, ambiguous environment of certain independent or foreign films. Normally dealing with a medium-sized budget, he is a skilled, impressive movie director.

Based on Thomas Hardy’s famous novel Tess of the D’Ubervilles, the film compassionately demonstrates what happens when love and culture collide! Industrialization, modernization and education all play a vital part in distorting the film’s lovers, just as these same elements in society have mutated the actual people who live in the country. Of course, this isn’t extraordinary to India alone, but happens in all cultures, climates and countries. It’s just that it seems highlighted within India and that helps the movie’s narrative breed and fester.

Education has enlightened Trishna as a person. However, although she has dreams and ambition, she finds it hard to reconcile these thoughts and desires with the significant love and bond she shares with her rural family. The performance by the actress is first-rate at conveying this. Pinto continues to shine as an actress. Pinto astounds the viewer. Her performance is a revelation.

The cinematography is realistic; sometimes movie viewers have to remind themselves that they aren’t watching a documentary. The local color, architecture and people are on realistic and compassionate display. Even with this attention to cultural detail, the narrative never gets bogged down: The story keeps clapping along, even as we see a unique, living landscape.

By turns sweet and compassionate, the movie is a treat. Anyone who enjoys thoughtful, intelligent stories set in cultures unlike the typical cinematic blockbuster will find this movie to be a welcome respite.

TRISHNA opens in St. Louis today at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Theater