Review of Water (2014) by Matt M — 01 Jan 2010

I have not seen many Indian movies, and have never been impressed with the Bollywood trailers. Although I am glad to have been given the experience of watching Water, which is a fantastic film. I am so impressed by the story and characters that this review will mostly reflect the narrative.

Water delves into the treatment of Widows and for that fact equality of women in India of the question of equality does not limit to India, but to other countries whether it be Iran or Australia. India like many other religious nations holds strong traditions with the writing of the Holly book, which are just accepted and questioned by those who think for themselves. The film begins with Chuyia a seven year old girl who like many other Indian girls has been arranged to be married, but when her would be husband is dead. Even tho Chuyia barely remembers her marriage her father leaves her at the House of Widows, a place for widowed females that is run by a cruel bitch of a woman Shakuntala who is a widow herself. You can only feel sorrow for Chuyia as she cries to her father to take her away; and feel disgust and confusion for Chuyiaâ??s decision to abandon his daughter.

Chuyia of course finds it hard to adapt to the House of Widow, firstly she has to have her hair shaved and live with prison rules pretty much. She believes that her mother is going to pick her up whether it is today or the next day. Lucky for Chuyia she is looked after by three women, Aunty the eldest of the widows who has a heart of gold and acts as a grandmother, Didi a middle age woman is strict and does not show her emotions, she tries to re-enforce into Chuyia that she has to adapt to her situation. Lastly Kalyani a twenty something beauty on the other hand acts a loving sister for Chuyia.

What is interesting about Kalyani out of all the widows is that she is the youngest and most beautiful woman, keeping her long hair. She becomes a central character of the plot of the film when she with the help of a lost Chuyia encounters Narayan, a young intelligent man who has the charm of a young gentleman and intelligence of his idol Ghandi. He is smitten by Kalyani and does not let go of being involved with her. The secret romantic meeting between Kalyani and Narayan is portrayed so beautiful by the mixture of cinematography and Indian music especially the flute playing from Narayan. What makes this relationship so re-memorable is the fact is does not end happily, due to Kalyaniâ??s recent pass of being Narayanâ??s fatherâ??s mistress which transforms into Kalyaniâ??s suicide.

What I love most about Water is the Question of faith which is put to Didi who has live nearly 40 years under these harsh religious beliefs and accepts it, while Chuyia is young and is able to think for herself which is shown when during her first prayer group with a holy man, she asks the question is there a widow house for men. The priest ignores hers while the older women slam her for making such comments. Both Didi and Kalyani soon become the centre focus of the plot and soon like Chuyia, have to question the chance of obtaining freedom from the house of widows.

When you think of the important elements of most interesting narrative films straight way is the antagonist, the person you despise for their treatment towards the protagonist. Shakuntala is a selfish and cruel old woman who does not deserve any compassion or sympathy. She is corrupted with power as the head widow of the house. She used Kalyani as a prostitute (reason for her hair not to be shaved) to pay the rent, she punishes disobedience, for example she shaves Kalyani and locks her up in her room, because she wants to elope with Narayan. But what makes me hate Shakuntala so much is near the end of the film, she promises to have Chuyia sent back to her home, but instead she has Chuyia sent to a clientâ??s home to be molested. I am sad that the film did not end with Shakuntala being punished in some way.

Lastly the filmâ??s title Water sounds simple but represents the core theme of the element water, the river where most of the film revolves around, cleansing of souls (Kalyaniâ??s suicide in the river), and the holy water collected for Auntieâ??s death and the monsoon weather etc.