Review of The World of Apu (1959) by Thérèse F — 02 Jun 2008

Ray's monumental trilogy comes to a close with the most dramatic of the three films, this time looking at Apu's troubled life as an adult. At first bullied into an arranged marriage, he finds it a blessing in disguise, until cruel tragedy again interferes in his life, and it seems this is one pain too many.

But, as Ray shows, life is just a balance between joy and sorrow and it is something we all must come to terms with. Less artistic but just as human and emotional as the previous two films, 'Apur Sansar' is a fittingly upbeat conclusion to an incredible series of films and seals Ray's reputation as an underrated master of cinema.