(2013-06-19 05:12:27)

Mistress of Spices

Movie sucked. Waste of time and my money. C'mon who talks to spices. I expected more from an Aishwarya movie. This is the kind of movie where you need to sneak into other movie because it's just waste of your time.

(2013-06-18 17:39:25)

Huge disappointment

This review is from: The Mistress of Spices (DVD) I was after this DVD very long time, postage and everything were fantastic, only problem DVD of this movie is not working. i try to play couple of times. Beginning of it is good, however last half an hour of movie is not showing properly. it keeps freezing. it is a huge disappointment for me, since i was really looking forward to have the copy of this movie in working order.

(2013-06-16 22:09:00)

different

This review is from: The Mistress of Spices (DVD) This movie was not quite what I expected. It had a bit more of an element of fantasy than I thought it would. I thought it was worth watching once, and more than once if you are a fan of Aishwarya Rai, which I am, but it was definately a drama, not a comedy. A lot of the plot involves the main character holding an internal converstaion with the spices in her shop - essentially talking to herself - , so while there are a few life-and-death moments, the plot generally moves along at a pretty sedate pace. Definately a chick flick. But like I said, worth watching once.

rasyad

(2013-06-16 10:22:24)

Great movie, great story

This is a great movie, but you need to understand the story. The mainstory and the sub-plots are all about the conflicts immigrants facebetween their own (and often restrictive/conservative) and the westernculture. The spices and the restrictions/rules for handling themrepresent the belief that one may not be able to keep its own culturewhile living in the West, but the end of the story proves it otherwise. All the sub-plots are about the same theme of integration vs.preserving your own culture. If you look through the characters and thestory you'll appreciate this movie. In short, a very good and enjoyable story.

The Orion

(2013-06-14 18:12:01)

Waste of time and money

I am not a very pised or very frustrated dude. I have seen lot of greatacting in my life. Its okay some people are not great actors its justthat way and some are. Example Robert De Niro, Paul Newman, MadhuriDixit (Indian), Tabu (Indian). Aishwarya is no where closer. She isnothing but a pretty face and not just that she is damn arrogant. Thisworks in India because for folks in India seeing somebody so beautifulis very rare. But at an international level I don't think she has theright material. Even in Bollywood, there are better actresses. She's apretty face that sells tickets and people have taken her too far forwhat she's worth. Sorry Aishwarya and Aishwarya fans, I don't intend tobe harsh or rude but this reality.Indian.

marsjones

(2013-06-14 05:51:30)

The devil is in the details

Saw all the reviews. This movie is a great exposition of Indianculture. Like the complaints about lack of chemistry. No way was Raigoing to smooch with that mellecha. It was actually rich, full and deepfor those with an interest and understanding of things Indian. Andseeing Rai was great. McDermott always seemed like he needed a bath andknew it. You just couldn't grade it the same way as a Hollywoodproduction. It was earthy and sloppy and colorful and confused,complicated, beautiful and revolting just like India. Where else canyou get a lot of spice knowledge, see Aishwarya Rai close up and a niceeggplant recipe all in the same movie.

(2013-06-14 13:24:34)

Eh..It's Okay

Aishwarya Rai is a beautiful woman and Dylan Mcdermott is a very handsome man, but i don't understand this movie because i found the back stories of the characters to be very confusing. I never understood why tilo,(rai), talks to spices and chili peppers and is forced to choose between her "life for spices" and having a life when she spots doug,(mcdermott),a very good looking architect with whom she eventually falls head over heels for, i mean, why can't she remain committed to the spices and have a life at the same time? although this movie was very confusing, i will say that i love the tastefully done sex scene between rai and mcdermott. all in all, an okay movie. not saying it sucks, but i give it an average rating.

auri-4

(2013-06-14 01:14:23)

unconvincing love

It is just an OK movie. She looked good enough,and loved the varioussaris and costumes that she wore throughout the film, although I am nottoo sure about the red dress thing that she wore for the seductionscene with her hair down. I guess that is meant to portray her sexualattraction, but I actually think she looks much better in her otheroutfits, whereas the vampy look is not quite..... My main problem withthe movie lies with Tilo (Rai), and what is it that she sees in Doug(McDermott) that actually makes her want to break the rules of thespices. As far as I can gather, she just saw him outside her shop,their eyes met, and somehow she is meant to be moved? I just find thatpart quite unconvincing. I just cannot get whether there was actuallyany love involved. Seems more like lust.... she wanted her night ofpassion before going back to the spices. The acting was OK overall.

(2013-06-11 17:07:42)

Gorgeous movie,but...

Based on Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's novel of the same name, this movie centers around Tilo, keeper of a spice store and a practitioner of an ancient tradition, whereby the 'mistress of spices" has to take vows to stay faithful to her craft. She can only use the spices to help others, avoid physical contact with others, and also never leave the confines of her spice store.Tilo, played by the luminously beautiful Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai, shines in this movie. Her Tilo is heartbreaking to watch in her desire to stay committed to her vows, yet conflicted over her attraction to Dylan McDermott's character.The supporting roles are all well-cast, from the Kashmiri cab driver, to Anupam Kher's disgruntled grandfather [to Padma Lakhshmi's liberal-minded young Indian woman]. My only grouse is that these characters could have done with further development.The cinematography is sumptuous...the spice store is so beautiful and assails one's visual senses, and almost makes you able to smell the spices themselves. It is very reminiscent of other food-themed movies like Chocolat & Like Water for Chocolate.But, the major letdown to me was the lack of chemistry between the two leads...we are supposed to believe that Aishwarya's Tilo falls fast and hard for Dylan McDermott's character, and vice versa, thus jeopardising her role as spice mistress, BUT there is an unconvincing lack of chemistry between them, a pity given both the stars' visual appeal, not to mention acting talents.On the whole though, it is a worthwhile addition to the genre, and worth a viewing for its overwhelming visual beauty, and Rai's acting.

(2013-06-11 03:40:15)

A Heavenly Aroma of Exotic Spices!

I guess it would've been helpful to have read the book that this movie was based on. It was hard to figure out the whole culture of Tilo's life as "Mistress of Spices" and how she was not permitted to leave her place of business or to touch anyone. All that seemed puzzling to me. However, I found this movie to be delightful, sort of like an Indian version of Chocolat, where one is drawn to the magic of food and the senses of smell and tastes. Tilo, like Vianne(Chocolat) is able to meet a person and determine what their spice is. That is until she meets Doug, an architect who is working nearby. Right away there is an instant attraction and Tilo has a hard time trying to reconcile her role of "Spice Mistress" with that of her love for Doug. Of course, her distraction affects her business and we see some humor as people come back complaining about how her spices have ruined them in different ways. Has Tilo lost her touch? Are the spices no longer speaking to her? Not only that-- she feels a great responsibility in helping people in their situations since she is able to foresee events and some of them are bad ones. Just like Chocolat, looking at all the bins of spices made you want to go out and have some great Indian food somewhere or cook it yourself!

(2013-06-10 18:16:41)

Read the book first, but it is a beautiful movie!

I found the book in the library a month or two ago. Soon after, I saw a listing for the movie on the TVGuide channel, and I was very surprised that a movie had been made. The book certainly doesn't read like something that would inspire a screenplay, but it does provide a lot more back story, more concentration on the mysticism of the spices, and more character development of all the 'minor' stories that come in and out of Tilo's shop. The movie was absolutely beautiful. The set, the costumes, the outdoor shots - everything was a pleasure to watch. One disappointment (and I believe a major character development issue)is that in the book Tilo is 'incarnated' as an aged woman. The young man is attracted to her none the less, and part of the temptation of the spices is for her to use them to make herself young and beautiful for him so that he will be physically attracted as well. In the movie, Tilo is already young and gorgeous, and the guy is so head over heels that there is no tension in that regard. I was very pleasantly surprised by the movie overall. Even if you don't care much about the story, it is so pretty to watch that it is worth it.

sanjay sehgal

(2013-06-10 04:45:51)

Do not waste your time & money

I felt that the director wasted a wonderful chance to turn a good subject and good actors into great movie. It is boring without any purpose and entertainment value.

(2013-06-09 20:40:27)

Mistress of Spices DVD

Wonderful movie full of magic to open your mind & romance to warm your heart. An unusual story & great escape from the usual violence, murder & mayhem of today. I love this type movie!

mermaid1111

(2013-06-09 12:57:48)

i enjoyed this movie, despite the flaws.

I loved the mystical elements of this film, and Tilo's beauty alone wasworth watching the film for. I want to comment on a few of the otherreviewer's comments. sarahjane-h-j mentions how it was unnecessary whenthe store collapsed from mysterious powers. there was nothingmysterious about it, the store collapsed from an earthquake. Don,Tilo's lover says that he heard about the quake and came right over.The sound in this movie wasn't always crystal clear and I had to strainmy ears or rewind to understand certain words, but he said that therewas a quake. Shaun Hennessy (henfish) said: "She's not allowed to toucha human... SHE'S RUBBING HER COUSIN'S HAND 5 MINUTES IN!" That wasn'ther hand rubbing her cousin's hand. He was rubbing his own hand. I amnot even sure that was her cousin. If so, I didn't catch that and I sawit twice, but regardless, she told Harnoun to rub the spice in his handand that was his own hand rubbing in the spice. Mistress of Spices is afun, fairy tale. The visual's were beautiful and a nice love story. Ihighly recommend it. It is worthwhile to see.

(2013-06-08 21:03:17)

Spicy and Sweet - Like Chocolate!

I bought this movie after seeing "Bride and Prejudice" and my husband had a fit as Dylan McDermot was in it who is not one of his favorite actors. He was pacified when he saw that Aishwarya Rai was in it. I made him sit and watch it with me which was an absolute delight and joy. Reminded us both very much of "Chocolate" with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp especially when the description of the spices. Very well done and touching in parts. Visually stunning during certain moments and the music was beautiful. A must see!

(2013-06-08 12:58:23)

Lacking Subtitles in English

This review is from: The Mistress of Spices (DVD) I was very disapointed to find out that this film has no English subtitles. I require subtitles to view any film... so I have not seen this movie yet ! Bruce N. Miller

(2013-06-07 20:42:06)

OK Movie

This review is from: The Mistress of Spices (DVD) The previews for this movie were probably the best parts. It was a nice movie, visually appealing, just very predictable. The typical boy from a forbidden culture meets girl stuck in tradition and can only dream of what his world is like. I'm glad I watched it, but probably won't watch it again. It didn't really hold my attention. I've seen better shows based on the same sort of theme.

(2013-06-07 00:25:32)

Mistress of Spices

This review is from: The Mistress of Spices (DVD) This was a stunning film. With the exception of one scene the pictures were beautiful and vibrant. The colors really shone and since the majority of the film was done in the Spice Shop it could be seen that great care was given to the surroundings. Mounds of spices, jars of spices, hanging spices, all very intriguing are in every nook and cranny of the set. It makes your mouth water just to look at it all.The music in this film was wonderful. It was very earthy and fit in well with the thought of spices and passion. One song even got my pulse racing as it created anticipation within the movie.The main character, Tilo (Aishwarya Rai), is a young girl who, despite having the gift of second sight, faces much hardship in her young life. After the death of her parents, she escapes from kidnappers and is washed onto a beach where she is taken in by a women's society who is dedicated to the mystery of spices. Here she learns to be a Mistress of Spices.Being a Mistress of Spices comes with many rules and responsibilities. She must never leave her San Francisco store, she must never use the spices for her self, and she must never touch skin with any other person. In exchange for all this, using the spices, she is able to help people in many ways whether they are looking for love, spiritual advice, healing, or any of the numerous problems that people seem to get themselves into.These rules take a toll on her however when the handsome Doug (Dylan McDermott) is hurt in front of her store. Although the chilis try to warn her, she quickly falls for this handsome intriguing man. However, the more her feelings grow and she breaks the rules, the more her clients run into trouble when the spices have an adverse effect. She begins to realize she must choose between her own desires and those of the spices.While overall I really enjoyed this movie, there was several things that did sour my view a bit. For one, the first scene we see involves a young Tilo walking over coals. The graphics for this were horrible and very obviously fake. Another part I did not enjoy was the back story of Doug's characters. It didn't seem to fit with the rest of the story. I may need to read the book to see if it somehow ties in better just so I can understand why it was added.This movie was nice. While it wasn't amazingly outstanding I think it did a good job of presenting a magical story. The scenes were intriguing and beautiful and the acting, while not spectacular, was good enough.

(2013-06-07 01:45:24)

Glad I rented!

As a newbie to the amazing Bollywood, I picked up this movie expecting perfection. Boy was I wrong. No, this movie wasn't dreadful exactly, it just wasn't Miss Rai's best performance to me. I hated the story a little bit, I mean come on talking herbs? But I stand by what I said, this movie wasn't dreadful, just not amazing.

(2013-06-06 18:23:57)

"Everyone Has A Spice" ~ An Intoxicating Fragrance To Be Absorbed As Much As Viewed

Note: Requires a multi-region DVD player to be viewed in the America's.The rather obscure '05 release 'The Mistress of Spices' is a wonderfully engaging romance filled with magic and Hindu mysticism that caught my full attention from the beginning and carried me transfixed to the end. Aishwarya Rai and Dylan McDermott make an endearing couple trying to not only bridge the cultural gap between the two but also overcome the mystical connection between the beautiful Tilo (Aishwarya) and the exotic spices that fill her shop. The key to the success or failure of this film is Aisharya's ability to make her spice store appear a magical space where she communicates with the fragrant essences surrounding her and exude a mystical essence about herself and her sacred duty as Spice Mistress. She does a magnificent job at both. A rare treat awaits the unsuspecting viewer, I can't wait to watch it again!