The Mystic Masseur

What better place than a library for a movie that exults in the transporting power of books? "This is the center of the world," remarks an awestruck Ganesh (Aasif Mandvi) upon his entry into an Oxford library. Ganesh fancies himself a writer. "One day," he vows, "I stand at center of world literature." Unfortunately, the failed schoolteacher has more principles than talent, and his real gift lies in being a masseur, like his late father, whose death has brought Ganesh back to his country village. In time, his supposed healing powers raise him to prominence, and he finds himself in political office, where he becomes a very small fish in a big pond. Ismail Merchant, usually the producing part of the Merchant-Ivory team, directed this atmospheric adaptation of V.S. Naipaul's first novel, which is set on the island of Trinidad, and peopled with vividly drawn characters (including venerable Indian actor Om Puri as an ingratiating local businessman, and Ayesha Dharker as his more practical and materialistic wife). If the story doesn't grab you, the lilt of the language and the rhythm of the music will. Highly recommended. (K. Lee Benson)