A cross-cultural modernization of Jane Austen's classic Pride and Prejudice, this trite, flimsy romance built around shallow stereotypes, ethnic hypocrisy, and horrible songs suggests that the silly, ingenuous charm of Bollywood musicals doesn't necessarily translate all that well into English. Talented, stunningly beautiful Indian superstar Aishwarya Rai plays the most independent and worldly of five sisters whose traditional Bombay parents are trying to marry them off. Unfortunately, the one-dimensional script doesn't offer much for Rai to work with, and despite endlessly extolling the Indian lifestyle, her character spends her time at Gidget-like beach parties, listening to Euro-techno, and falling exclusively for Western men, such as the culturally ignorant, insufferably arrogant Will Darcy (Martin Henderson, who fails to find the depth needed for the role). Director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) intends their initial animosity to be endearing, but makes only a cursory attempt to explore what soon draws them together, while the painfully ill-conceived overproduction stops the narrative dead in its tracks with superfluous songs (albeit blessed with genuine Bollywood effervescence). A poor adaptation that reduces Austen's witty characters to witless clichés, this is not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director and co-writer Gurinder Chadha and co-writer Paul Mayeda Berges, four extended song sequences (23 min.), six deleted scenes (11 min.), an 11-minute “making-of” featurette, interviews with costars Aishwarya Rai (9 min.) and Martin Henderson (5 min.), a home video segment on the crew performing the songs (5 min.), a clip of “Ashanti's Song” (3 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a disappointing film.] (R. Blackwelder)
Bride & Prejudice
Touchstone, 111 min., PG-13, DVD: $29.99, July 5 Volume 20, Issue 3
Bride & Prejudice
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