VividSimon Simply Perfect

Grimerlana Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Marketic It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

tomsview Unusually structured and travelling at about the speed of India's Metupalayam Ooty Nilgiri Passenger Train, this film still delivers an intriguing story.Set in India it has the bonus of authentic locations, and features two beautiful actresses at different stages of their careers in the same movie, although they don't share a single scene together.The story takes a little getting into. It's actually two intertwined stories and starts with Anne (Julie Christie) travelling to India to find out about the life of her great aunt Olivia (Greta Scacchi) - a forerunner of "Who Do You Think You Are?" Flashbacks reveal Olivia's story and the film cuts back and forth from one story to the other as we see that Anne's journey follows Olivia's path, and also begins to parallel her story.A fascinating aspect of the movie is how it reveals two Indias: one under the British Raj during the 1920's, which Olivia inhabited, and the modern one of the 1980's that Anne experiences.Over the years there have been many films about British rule in India - Hollywood loved an earlier period especially along the Northwest Frontier, but of late, British films and television have concentrated on the decades just before India's independence - the twilight of the Raj.Another critical element in the drama is the relationship between a semi-independent prince, the Nawab of Khatm (Shashi Kapoor), and the British rulers. The film shows the attitudes of the British and Indians towards each other, and also the attitudes of the British towards their fellow Britons. It highlights the class system that existed between the races and how crossing that line was linked to the balance of power.Despite being married to Douglas Rivers (Christopher Cazenove), a British colonial official, Olivia crosses the line, has an affair with the Nawab, and is virtually banished from both societies. Although Anne also has an affair with an Indian, it is 60-years later and no longer has the significance of her great aunt's fall from grace.This film looks good and composer Richard Robbins created an evocative score blending electronics with Indian instruments.Although the script and direction understates just about everything, even using narration to glide over what could have been emotion charged scenes, the combination of stars, locations and the lovingly recreated depiction of an era ensures that "Heat and Dust" still leaves an impression.

intinvestor It's a story told in two different time periods of two different woman who are attached by decision taken by both of them in there lives. Both the era generated by director with there details are mesmerizing, but modern day India dulls against the British one as there are many clichés that are shown which exist till today among western countries about India. Period films are mastered by merchant ivory production and this one of the finest examples of it. We are captured by the brilliant photography and then by the characters etched by screenwriter and director. Greta schahi proves her mettle in her first major role and Julie Christie is just as natural as always. Casting of every little character is perfect. Best thing is the way story is told, how two era become one and how easily is one moving from one to other.modern day story dulls little bit against raj era one but it is saved by Julie Christie's beautiful presence. Certain question arise and they are answered beautifully. How we get in a relationship with someone who is so different from us culturally and in every way, is it just the avaibality or something more ? Human mind is such an intriguing place to understand. Why we take certain steps always remains a question. Just like the character of chid. Who is running away from world yet is attached to it.

Maddyclassicfilms This visually beautiful and deeply poignant story about love and desire in colonial India is one of Merchant Ivory's most overlooked and underrated films.Telling the somewhat similar stories of two women from two different time periods.Heat and Dust presents us with two different views of India from the prejudiced British Raj rule of the 1920's to the tourist and spiritual hot spot of the 1980's.It's based on a novel written by the third member of the Merchant Ivory team the screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala.As in their previous films in Heat and Dust we find the usual mix of exquisite period detail,memorable performances and a well crafted story.Beginning in the grandeur of 1920's India,Heat and Dust tells the story of young British woman Olivia Rivers(Greta Scacchi)who has joined her husband,The Assistant District Collector Douglas Rivers(Christopher Cazenove)out in the stifling heat of India.Although deeply in love with Douglas Olivia soon finds herself falling in love with the handsome local ruler The Nawab(Shashi Kapoor).The performance of Kapoor is the highlight of the film a brilliant blend of intellect,ruthless power and English manners,breeding and bearing.Intercut with Olivia's story is that of her sisters granddaughter Anne(Julie Christie)who is researching Olivia's story after becoming intrigued by the series of intimate and revealing letter she wrote to her sister concerning her time in India.Although both time periods are distinctively separate one man is present in both and that is the Nawab and Olivia's closest friend Harry Hamilton Paul(Nickolas Grace)who Anne interviews at his home in England in the 80's.He tells her more about the forbidden love affair that began between his two friends.As Anne travels to India to see the places mentioned in her relatives letters she begins a similar story of her own.She has an affair with and Indian and falls pregnant but also like Olivia she finds the strength to live independent,away from the restraints and expectations of the masses.One of the best supporting performances comes from the fantastic Madhur Jaffery as Begum Mussarat Jahan,the Nawab's mother.She holds court at the palace taking long drags from her elegant cigarette holder,scoffing at the English and their inabilities to adapt to the stifling climate,she's a perfect mix of bile,humour and anger.With beautiful costumes and locations Heat and Dust is one of those films the team made so easily and so well,a visual yearning for another time with different values and morals.In a word this is sheer perfection,and a highlight in the careers of the late(and much missed)Cazenove,Scacchi and Kapoor.

nickrogers1969 Excellent film, maybe Merchant-Ivory's best. The story is wonderfully compelling. I love how the lives of the two British women are linked together. It's fascinating to see how differently they were treated by falling in love an Indian at different times in the same century. Great roles for Julie Christie and Greta Scaachi to play in this beautiful and poetic film. It's filled with great character parts for the English and Indian people surrounding them. Lots of food for thought, the film touches on the traditions and ways of life of both cultures showing how trapped people could be. There are some funny incidents when the cultures clash. The end brings both sadness and hope. A very underrated film that deserves to be seen and remembered!