Tags
2000's, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Aishwarya Rai, Drama, Dylan McDermott, Nitin Ganatra, Paul Mayeda Berges, Romance, The Mistress of Spices
Film Title
The Mistress of Spices
Director
Paul Mayeda Berges
Starring
- Aishwarya Rai as Tilo
- Dylan McDermott as Doug
- Nitin Ganatra as Haroun
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Kwesi
A charming enough romance movie with mystical elements, The Mistress of Spices unfortunately lacks the ability to fully engage you in its story. Reading the synopsis, the film sounds very similar to Chocolat, but I must say that I enjoyed that movie a lot more than this one. But there is Aishwarya Rai adding passion and some striking visuals to be found. It’s just unfortunate that the movie doesn’t really pull many of the elements together well enough which does harm ones enjoyment of it.
In Oakland, California, Tilo is an Indian woman who owns a spice shop. Yet her job goes merely beyond just selling spices to others who enter her store. In flashbacks and voice overs, we learn that Tilo from birth had the ability to see the future and how she was orphaned after bandits killed her parents. She managed to escape her kidnappers and washed up on an island inhabited by young girls and an elderly teacher of wisdom. Over the years, Tilo blossomed into a beautiful girl under tutelage and become part of an ancient order of women who have connections to the spices and the magical forms they possess. When each girl is old enough, they are sent around the world to use the spices to help the lives of others. Now years later, Tilo owns her shop and uses her gifts to help her customers with their dilemmas and tribulations. For example she helps a young boy who is having trouble with bullies gain confidence, Haroun, a former cab driver asks her help in order for him to get a job again and she aids a young men in his attempts to get a girl to notice him. Yet in order to remain with her gifts of foresight and influence, she must adhere to three strict rules. She must not use her powers for her own personal gain, she must not leave the store and she must not touch the skin of anyone. If she were to do any of these things, the power of the spices would wreak havoc on her and end with possibly dire consequences. Yet change and fate are just around the corner for the poised Tilo when handsome architect Doug crashes his motorcycle outside her store and she tends to his wounds. The instant attraction between the two is palpable and when he touches her skin for the briefest of seconds, her powers slowly begin to wither. All of the good she has done suddenly turns quite sour just like the wise leader of her order said and it is up to Tilo to choose whether she should follow her heart’s desire or continue in the footsteps of her destiny.
Firstly, it must be said that The Mistress of Spices is a feast for the eyes whichever way you look at it. Lashed with colours in every frame and an exotic atmosphere, the visuals are very well done and create a culture clash between the ways that Tilo has been taught and how it is changed by her time in America. Yet for all the visual opulence on display, director Paul Mayeda Berges forgets the story and for that reason the whole film doesn’t grab you and absorb you. It’s not that the film is short on ideas, in fact it has quite a few interesting ideas like the mystical power of the spices and the rules, but none of them are given enough power or credibility due to a rushed script. If the script had expanded on a few more things and not been as quick to reach the end, The Mistress of Spices may have been very interesting to watch but alas, it only has a few charms to it that keep you from reaching for the stop button. The other part of the script that bogs it down is the overuse of voice overs from Tilo. In the beginning it is fine because it sets up a lot about her character and her back story, but then as it goes on it gets very repetitive to listen to and at times needless. Plus the movie is supposed to be a romance tinged with some mysticism, and yes the mysticism is there but the romance feels to rushed. And considering that The Mistress of Spices is a romance movie, it doesn’t exactly help that the romance feels undeveloped. On the positive side of things, an exotic musical score is very well composed with female voices, sitars and building drums hinting at possible passion.
Thank goodness there is the beautiful Aishwarya Rai at the centre of this movie to keep it afloat. Rai exhibits poise, dignity and resolve under threat with skill and it is really hard to take your eyes off her. The film may be sketchy, but the same criticism can’t be aimed at Rai who gives Tilo grace and sympathy as her adherence to ancient rules is tested to the limit by the possibility of love. Unfortunately, no one else in the film fares as well as Rai due to the ropy script. Dylan McDermott has the looks for the part but the character comes off as bland because of how he is written. Nitin Ganatra and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje are fine in their roles as two of Tilo’s customers but like with McDermott, are given nothing much to do.
So while Aishwarya Rai keeps you watching and the music and visuals are delightful, The Mistress of Spices is just too flawed, due to uneven direction and an unfocused script, to be a good movie which is a real shame considering the things it had going for it.
poetry and chocolate and books said:
That’s Aishwarya Rai who won Miss World pageant in 1994. 😀 A very beautiful and talented human. 🙂
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vinnieh said:
She is one of the most beautiful women to grace the planet. She just oozes class and beauty.
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poetry and chocolate and books said:
She so does. 🙂
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vinnieh said:
It’s her eyes that really draw me in, they’re breathtaking.
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poetry and chocolate and books said:
She got very popular because of her eye color in the beginning. 🙂 She donated those later and inspired many to do the same. 🙂
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vinnieh said:
I need to see more of her movies.
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poetry and chocolate and books said:
Watch these: Taal and Hum dil de Chuke sanam by here. Two of my favorites of her’s 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the suggestions.
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poetry and chocolate and books said:
🙂 Glad to. 🙂
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KittNoir said:
So very beautiful
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vinnieh said:
Aishwarya Rai is beauty personified.
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beetleypete said:
I had never heard of this film, V. It looks to be rather harmless fluff, but I doubt I would bother to watch it, based on your accurate appraisal.
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
The main things that are good in this movie are Aishwarya Rai and the visuals.
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imustseemovie.com said:
I grew up watching Bollywood movies she’s is really beautiful
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vinnieh said:
She’s immensely beautiful and thanks for reminding me I need to watch more Bollywood movies.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
This is too bad Vinnie. I really liked the premise.
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vinnieh said:
It’s a real shame Kim. There is real promise with the premise but the execution renders it flawed.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😦
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vinnieh said:
The main thing that kept me watching was the ethereal presence of Aishwarya Rai.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
She truly is lovely.
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vinnieh said:
It’s hard to take your eyes off her. I can see why she was a Miss World.
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Michael said:
Great review, Vinnieh…you have a real talent for this and are obviously very passionate about it. I will, at least be on the lookout for more photos of Rai…she is gorgeous! 🙂
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vinnieh said:
She is one of the most beautiful women to ever walk the Earth. Thank you for your comments, they are really appreciated and its wonderful to hear that you’re enjoying my work.
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MRS N, the Author said:
This is one of my favorite films to watch on Valentine’s Day weekend and we watch it every year. Call it fluff, but the chemistry between Rai and Dylan is intoxicating. His character is a stiff but she brings out the best in him. I love the story plus the subplot of how she helps everyone she comes in contact with. I actually prefer it to Chocolat so I guess we’ll have to disagree on this one, Vinnie. 😉
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vinnieh said:
I appreciate it whenever you comment. And I like it when people disagree with me, it makes for good conversations. It makes a change from everyone agreeing on things. Rai is a beautifully talented actress I must say.
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Marta said:
Nice review Vinnie. This one sounds like harmless fluff. You should watch Bride and Prejudice, it’s a Bollywood’s take on Jane Austen with Rai as Elizabeth Bennet 🙂
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vinnieh said:
You may well enjoy this movie more than I did Marta. I’m liking the sound of Bride and Prejudice.
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Marta said:
If you watch it, prepare yourself for a lot of singing 😉
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vinnieh said:
You’ve got me even more interested now.
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Marta said:
well, I told is Bollywood style so they burst into song when they talk about their feelings.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the heads up, I’ll seek it out.
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In My Cluttered Attic said:
I have to admit this one sounds interesting.
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vinnieh said:
You may enjoy it more than I did.
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In My Cluttered Attic said:
You never know, but then again.
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vinnieh said:
Let me know what you think of it if you see it.
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In My Cluttered Attic said:
‘o)
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vinnieh said:
It’s always great to hear the different opinions of others regarding movies.
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In My Cluttered Attic said:
That’s great as we all different opinions on certain films. But that makes for good give an take as well.
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vinnieh said:
That’s the wonderful thing about movies, no two opinions are exactly the same.
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In My Cluttered Attic said:
That’s why some films reach cult status.
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vinnieh said:
Indeed some of the movies that are seen as classics were underrated upon release or not given the respect they warranted.
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In My Cluttered Attic said:
One that comes to mind is “Innerspace” from Steven Spielberg. Not a classic by any means, but when it arrived in theaters back in the 80’s it vanished almost immediately. Then it was released on VHS and soon became a little lost gem. People who see it laugh at how entertaining it was and say things like, ‘How did I miss this?’
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vinnieh said:
I love Spielberg , so thank you so much for putting that on my movie radar.
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In My Cluttered Attic said:
My pleasure. ‘o)
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vinnieh said:
I like discovering little gems.
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In My Cluttered Attic said:
The great thing about film is there are plenty of gems just waiting to be discovered.
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vinnieh said:
I love knowing that.
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T. Mack said:
I’ve never managed to encounter someone else whose seen or even heard of this movie! I agree with you that Aishwarya Rai and the visuals of the film are lovely to watch. But you’re right that in the end, the movie has no substance. In my opinion, it’s a completely forgettable film. In fact, I haven’t thought of it in years until I came across this review.
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vinnieh said:
It’s good to hear from someone who’s seen it. Though I did expect more from the film considering the possibilities of the story.
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jwforeva said:
Never seen nor heard of this, but this is a nice review 🙂 Insightful as always!!
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vinnieh said:
This film is nothing special, but thanks for your positive feedback. I try to be as insightful in my reviews as can be.
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vinnieh said:
Did you see the posts I did for Valentine’s Day? They got a warm reception.
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jwforeva said:
Not yet! I’ll check em out soon
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for that.
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Urspo said:
I love the title. It sounds rather archetypal.
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vinnieh said:
It is a good title.
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Annelise Lestrange said:
Ooh, I think this actress appeared on The Pink Panther 2! (yes, this is the kind of movie that I watch, I’m a child, haha!) I liked her work there 🙂
This particular movie doesn’t sound as my type, as I cried too hard with Chocolat already, haha!
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vinnieh said:
As a movie, it just didn’t come together well. But Rai was stunning and natural.
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Annelise Lestrange said:
She’s great! 🙂
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