Review of City of Joy (1992) by Makere P — 31 Jan 2009
Although the movie began a bit slowly, it got quite interesting around halfway when things started to happen for dr.Lowe. The movie concentrates on three main characters Max, Hasari and Joan but there is enough space for all the cast, including Hasari's wife and children, for the handicapped, and for the bad guys. I found the characters believable and well played.
What the movie lacks in action it certainly has got in drama.Yet this is not really a tragedy, although it shows very well the tragic elements of the 'real world', from which its drama is acquired. One can only imagine how destitute the poor people in India must be.
Although I didn't quite understand why dr.Lowe went to India, the plot offers the movie a chance to show the watcher what kind of difficulties the not-so-lucky people of India face on a daily basis. When poor and sick are 'cursed' for something bad they are thought to have done, they, already suffering, are treated with hate and dislike by others instead of compassion (=the caste system). Having never been in India, I cannot really judge any further, but I had a distinct feeling that those who created the film knew what they were 'talking' about.
The movie is reasonably entertaining, but mostly a thought provoking movie, and its message is great. I would have rated this higher if the first half of it had not been so slow-paced. Having seen the film before, I still liked this movie.
This review of City of Joy (1992) was written by Makere P on 31 Jan 2009.
City of Joy has generally received positive reviews.
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