Bombay Talkie

Lucia Lane (Jennifer Kendal), self-absorbed and demanding, is a British author who has come to Bombay to research her next novel. She falls in love with Vikram (played by Kendal's real-life husband Shashi Kapoor), a younger, popular Bollywood hero. The already complicated relationship is worsened by the fact that Vikram's wife (Aparna Sen) knows of the affair, and that his friend, Hari (Zia Mohyeddin), is in love with Lucia, and roiling with jealousy.

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala has written a screenplay that is both credible and compelling, with dark undertones. One simply can't like Lucia and Vikram, and yet one must continue to watch as they head towards disaster. As with many Merchant Ivory films, this one relies heavily on the actors' facial expressions to show emotions and set the mood, and these four main actors do an excellent job. Overall, it's a rather unpleasant movie that will simultaneously grip and repel, and keep the viewer watching till the very end.

I don't know of many films that explore behind the scenes of the prolific Indian film industry, but I love the view into a new world offered by this one. In general, I like the films of Merchant-Ivory- they are almost always beautiful, well-crafted, well-acted and excellent at handling delicate subject matter, subtle emotions, and stories of character growth and psychology. I think BOMBAY TALKIE is one of the best, on par with the later triumphs of A ROOM WITH A VIEW, HOWARD'S END and REMAINS OF THE DAY. Visually, the movie has that stunning, crisp, breath-taking combination of color, light and space that made every frame of A ROOM WITH A VIEW so wonderful to watch- and the beauty of the film's (BOMBAY TALKIE)visuals are especially nice considering it was made in 1970. The use of music, singing and dance also bring an interesting quirkiness to the film, and help present the world of the characters- all of whom are interesting, especially the hero, his wife Marla (who gives a stunning performance), and his ex-girlfriend (the scene between her and the hero, once Lucia has left him to follow a guru, is one of the most beautifully executed late night conversation scenes I've ever seen, and gives so much insight into a relatively insignificant character's life and relationships- on par with the drinking scene in Hal Hartley's SIMPLE MEN). Most fantastic about this film was the screenplay- one of Ruth Prawer Jbvala's better ones, well-directed (as usual) by James Ivory. It is poetic, when it needs to be, sinister when the moment calls for it, and it ties nicely into the ending with excellent stops along the way to comment on Hollywood film making, sham-spiritualism quests by Westerners in India, the loneliness of art, the stupidity of petty, fear-controlled people, and the destructive quality of unhealthy obsession. A fine, enjoyable film, not at all dated, not for everyone by any means, but worth looking into if you're interested in seeing something different.

To the point - depressing with almost no redeeming qualities. If you want to see a movie about decadent society where the characters live in their own world, totally selfish and painfully and immaturely oblivious to how their actions may affect others, or if you can at least get over this, you may enjoy the sets of a movie in the movie and perhaps some of the costumes. I picked up this video from my public library expecting something great from Merchant-Ivory-Jhabvala, but was badly disappointed. Sometimes a film leaves you feeling sad and incredulous, and usually when it does, it is for good reason, causing you to focus on elements of human nature or society and perhaps moving us to action. This film left me with negative feelings, but with very little good to remember or be inspired by. I wish I hadn't seen it - but I may have missed something that others may find corresponds to good film. 3 or 4 stars out of 10.

--Dilip, written minutes after watching this video on Aug. 29, 2003

An early film by my favorite trio Ivory, Merchant and Jhabvala, failed to light my senses in this nonsensical musical farce. The additional content on the DVD is much better with a feature on the very talented Helen and the customary chat with the trio on making of this movie. This film seems to insult everyone: a very uncaring and self indulgent white authoress, a very lustful Indian actor with no scruples, a charlatan guru, and a mediocre poet with an obsession to murder. Mix this lot in a movie and you get the customary tale of confusion and bad acting. Some moments of the film are memorable including the beginning scene on the giant typewriter, the incredible shots of the staircase at the hotel, and the general view into Bombay film making of the 70s. The ending is, well, rather abrupt, and I was glad it was. Rent it just for the extras on the DVD.

I agree with Dilip, it is an OK movie, but the DVD that I got from my library had an added feature - a half hour of dancer Helen. She is really over the top. So skip the movie and enjoy Helen!!!!! I have to give ten lines of text, so here goes. The opulent sets and costumes of the movie were a definite plus, a nice look at the modern wealthy Indian life style. While not great, the movie's plot did generate some interest. For me high lights of the Helen feature were her cabaret dance with an caged afro-wigged "wild man" and a portrayal of a drunken bar patron at the end. During the course of this half hour she dances through several world dance genres.