Masala

I first saw this film with a roomful of friends, some of South Asian background, some not, but all Canadians raised in Toronto. I think we all enjoyed it more for its "Toronto-ness" than for anything as dourly serious as "identity politics". It had the feel of our city, and the same goofiness that you would see in Strange Brew. Seeing the venerable Saeed Jaffrey as the God Krishna in a Leaf's goalie uniform had us rolling on the floor with laughter. And the same actor as the long-suffering postal clerk, to whom Krishna delivers the rarest Canadian stamp, but is unwilling to sell it either to satisfy his wife's craving for appliances or the government's pressure, is the Canadian Everyman in a nutshell.

Okay I don't like to throw around words like South Asian Diaspora but I don't know else to say it. For those of South Asian descent living in other countries, I recommend this film. It's been several years since I've seen it but it was so different that it stuck out in my memory. I've watched many of South Asian Diaspora films and few show this kind of creativity. I didn't love the film, but I really appreciated if that makes any sense. It wasn't simply trying to take advantage of South Asain identity to market itself- it was accepting it, incorporating it, and raging against it. I remember that there is South Asian character with a switchblade. That's right. I think that South Asian characters should have switchblades now and again. They shouldn't always be upset about arranged marriages (though that fertile ground is yet to be done effectively). Another poster talks about early 90's identity politics and it's probably a good place to position this critically. Certainly, a comparison can be made to "My Beautiful Laundrette" though that is a very different film. It has some of the same bravado and complexities behind it. I'm really glad to see there is another project on the horizon for this director.

I saw this film when it first hit the "Identity Politics" circuit in 1991. It was great then, and remains exceptional in 2004. The film has an engaging storyline, but its greatest achievement is looking at the struggle for identity from multiple perspectives, all with sardonic wit. For example, early in the film, Lord Krishna moans, "Why can't a god be more like a man?" There are some wonderful observations on the situation of Indians in Canada, and a great minor subplot on Sikh activists in Canada. The only weakness is the end, which I won't reveal here. I would hope some wise distributor would re-release this gem.

After all these years, how can it be that this film is not deeply loved by millions? This is a classic comedy romp, full of love, interplay, culture-clash, materialism vs. Spirituality - everything's here! Beautiful people, silky onscreen presence, clever banter, respect for the medium of film that rivals Spike Lee......What happened?

If anybody has seen Do the Right Thing, or even a silly John Candy Movie, I just have to say they are missing out without really getting to know this film. If anybody is put off by the Indian/Hindu flavor here, then please pick up a book and realize that the Gods of Indian mythology are just like the Greek Gods - more like people than "Gods".

This movie is just f*&^^$ cute!!!