Before the Rains (2007)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Santosh Sivan

Writers (WGA):

Cathy Rabin (screenplay)
Dan Verete (2001 film "Asphalt Zahov")

Release Date:

16 May 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Passion has its price.

Plot:

A English spice baron settles in South India during the waning years of the Raj.

Plot Keywords:

British | India | British Raj | Affair | British Colonial

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Linus Roache	...	Henry Moores
Rahul Bose	...	T. K. Neelan
Nandita Das	...	Sajani
Jennifer Ehle	...	Laura Moores
Leopold Benedict	...	Peter Moores
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dr. Ambikathmajan	...	T.K.'s Headmaster
Indrajith	...	Manas
Lakshmi Krishnamurthy	...	T.K.'s mom
Lal	...	Rajat (as Lal Paul)
John Standing	...	Charles Humphries
Thilakan	...	T.K.'s Father
Ejji K. Umamahesh	...	Inspector Sampath

Also Known As:

Road to the Sky (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violent content and a scene of sexuality.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

India | UK | USA

Language:

Malayalam | English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Canada:14A (Manitoba) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | UK:12 | Australia:M | Finland:K-13

Filming Locations:

India

Company:

Merchant Ivory Productions

Movie Connections:

Remake of Asphalt Zahov (2001)

Cinematographically stunning, acting superb, story line could have been more

Being a native of Kerala and not knowing much of this movie, I went because my favorite Indian actors Nandita Das and Rahul Bose were in it. My hubby and I were in for a stunningly visual treat of our home state in India and were jumping for joy. Every frame was pure, with shadows and light and filters that just transported you and wanting to see more. I would liked the movie more if it had been stretched a little longer and see more deeper delving into the characters and the village life. Instead a limited dimension was presented. I was a little disappointed and left feeling like something wasn't complete in the application of the story. While the film focuses around the central characters,not enough time was spent on how the setup started but the movie picks-up almost mid-stream it felt like and therefore a little incomplete. There were seeming contradictions in the movie. exploration of each of the characters could have been done more deeply. I was sorry to see that Nandita Das was relegated to such a minimal role. Rahul Bose whose phenomenal acting could have been explored profoundly was also limited to more of a silent portrayal while his eyes spoke volumes. I wasn't sure where his loyalties were or whether he was really trying to live in two worlds and ultimately what is it that he stood to gain in the way of empowerment. The storyline is simple and did a good job around Roach's role and his moral conflicts. The actress who portrayed his wife as brief as it was very good and believable. The supporting actors all acted well (kudos to Indrajit and Lal and Mr.Thilakan as well-it was awesome to see these phenomenal actors on the big screen through such an artistic lens. It was a little discomforting to see the far from the truth portrayal of the tribal ritual. My huge kudos to Mr. Sivan- the quality of the cinematography is pristine and flawless and timeless. I hope you'll blaze forward with more courage at exploring in-depth portrayals of Kerala even more.