This is a movie set mostly in Colombo in the 70's and early 80's. It is about sexual awakening and sexuality, racial prejudice and violence, but above all, it is a about forbidden love that crosses racial boundaries. Full marks to the director, producer and script writers who successfully weave a complex story which will appeal to a wide audience, not just a Sri Lankan one. Surely, this has to be a strong contender at the academy awards. Little Arjie played by Arush Nand is absolutely delightful. There are strong performances by Agam Darshi as the streetwise aunt Radha who loves and nurtures little Arjie, and Nimmi Harasgama as a typical Sri Lankan mum who is burdened with societal pressures and expectations. The older Arjie played by Brandon Ingram is somewhat unconvincing, but overall, the movie is highly recommended.
As someone who lived in Colombo during the 60's and 70's when ethnic problems were starting to get serious, I can understand only too well the kind of thinking that prompts certain viewers to give this movie a zero or 1 rating. Please don't be put off by such comments, it is well worth viewing.
As for those who complain about casting non-Tamils in Tamil roles or the lack of authenticity of spoken Tamil, I wonder how upset they would be if they were to learn that Irish actor and Oscar winner Liam Neeson played German industrialist Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List, or that Oscar nominee Marlon Brando who is of German, Dutch, English and Irish ancestry played Sicilian Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather! They'd be absolutely livid! Besides, is there a good pool of Sri Lankan Tamil actors who could fill these roles? Maybe there is, then again maybe not. Regardless, Deepa Mehta and Shyam Selvadurai have brought us a gem.
As someone who lived in Colombo during the 60's and 70's when ethnic problems were starting to get serious, I can understand only too well the kind of thinking that prompts certain viewers to give this movie a zero or 1 rating. Please don't be put off by such comments, it is well worth viewing.
As for those who complain about casting non-Tamils in Tamil roles or the lack of authenticity of spoken Tamil, I wonder how upset they would be if they were to learn that Irish actor and Oscar winner Liam Neeson played German industrialist Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List, or that Oscar nominee Marlon Brando who is of German, Dutch, English and Irish ancestry played Sicilian Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather! They'd be absolutely livid! Besides, is there a good pool of Sri Lankan Tamil actors who could fill these roles? Maybe there is, then again maybe not. Regardless, Deepa Mehta and Shyam Selvadurai have brought us a gem.