Review of Earth (1999) by Aliya D — 20 May 2008
Earth is a completely different movie to Fire, but just as controversial. While Fire touches on forbidden relationships and the dominance of men, Earth explores religion, an incendiary topic at the best of times.
Set in Lahore, India in 1947, this is a story of friendship, love, jealousy, betrayal, politics and ethnic cleansing seen through the innocent eyes of an upper-class Parsee girl named Lenny. This movie graphically depicts the violence of ethnic cleansing, the horror of which overshadows the beauty of romance, the closeness of friendship and the happiness of families.
Earth is more tragic melodrama than social history, but what Mehta's adaptation of Bapsi Sidhwa's autobiographical novel Cracking India lacks in insight, it makes up for in fiery imagery, emotional passion, and a heavy-hearted longing for the paradise lost.
Well directed and acted, this movie may bring tears to the eyes of even the most jaded viewers.
This review of Earth (1999) was written by Aliya D on 20 May 2008.
Earth has generally received positive reviews.
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