Review of Bride & Prejudice (2004) by Dylan S — 20 Nov 2018

Bride and Prejudice is unlike any other film I have ever seen. Directed by Gurinder Chadha in 2005, the film follows the journey of four sisters from Amritsar and their complex search for marriage in a country caught between customary and modern customs. Bride and Prejudice explores ideas of cultural division, arranged marriages, and forbidden love. The movie is inspired by Jane Austen's renowned 19th century novel, Pride and Prejudice. Chadha puts a modern twist on the story and includes both Western elements and classic Bollywood features. I personally liked the film and I thought it was a nice introduction to Bollywood films for someone who was curious to explore new types of movies yet remain in their comfort zone. The film could be enjoyed by both Hollywood and Bollywood fans alike. Besides taking place in Amritsar, it also had musical numbers, dancing, traditional clothing and ideals, and Indian film tropes that incorporated Bollywood elements into the film. Personally, I think that if the songs had not been in English, it would have contributed a lot to the film. It would have added a deeper meaning to the music and shown more creativity and culture. However, I still think it was a great intro film to Bollywood culture.

Bride and Prejudice was my first experience with a Bollywood film. I was drawn to the drama of the movie - drama I had never seen before in any Hollywood movie - and it kept me interested and paying attention to the movie. Within seconds, the entire dynamic can change, such as when Lalita learns that Darcy convinced Balraj not to be with Jaya. The costumes are beautiful and intricate, unlike the ones I have seen in Western movies. It is apparent that much thought was put into the choreography and the lyrics of the musical scenes, and the lyrics contain deep meaning that applies to the plot of the film. The acting is dramatic and thought-provoking, and the actors seem to be truly passionate about their roles.

This film taught me many things about Indian culture. I learned about the stereotypes and struggles of arranged marriages, and the conflict it can create between parents and children. Watching this film, I also empathized with those searching for arranged marriages, as it can be extremely difficult to trust one's parents with one's relationship and future. The issue of social classes and stereotypes was revealed to me as a very relevant problem plaguing many relationships in India. The director did a fantastic job at showing the emotions of the characters in the story, which created a connection between the actors and the viewers. Bride and Prejudice also showed me what is and is not considered acceptable in Bollywood films. For example, physical intimacy on screen plays a huge role in Western movies and television. In Bride and Prejudice, there were far fewer scenes like those in American movies, and they were nowhere near as explicit. Overall, I think Bride and Prejudice is an amazing movie that serves as perfect balance between Hollywood and Bollywood films.