Water

Canadian writer-director Deepa Mehta's previous films in the “elements” trilogy (Fire [VL-11/98] and Earth [VL-9/00]) hardly prepare the viewer for Water, an incredibly moving account of a child widow from an arranged marriage sent to a home for similar women, where she is expected to live out her days. The eight-year-old doesn't even recall her wedding to a much older man, but after his sudden death—in accordance with strict Hindu belief—she's segregated from society, because marriage creates a union of man and woman not broken by the husband's earthly demise. Set in 1938, amidst the movement led by Gandhi to liberalize policies in this and other areas, Water has the flavor of a Dickens story in Eastern dress (even though these problems remain today). The house in which the girl is placed is operated by an obese, imperious woman who sometimes arranges for residents to be rented out to rich men for the night. One of these widows attracts a young man drawn to Gandhi's progressive ideas, and a forbidden romance results; meanwhile an older resident comes to question the traditions in which she herself is trapped and feels driven to save the girl. Obviously, Water has a social argument to advance, but the fact that it makes a political-religious point about an uncomfortable reality that persists in Indian society is but an added benefit to a lovely and compelling film. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by writer-director Deepa Mehta, a 21-minute “behind-the-scenes” featurette, and a four-minute “making-of” featurette. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a powerful film.] (F. Swietek)