Movie No. 90 (2013): HOLY SMOKE
Holy Smoke (1999)
Director: Jane Campion
Cast: Kate Winslet, Harvey Keitel
On her journey to India, Ruth is bewitched by its mysticism and decides to stay to the dismay of her parents. Her mother flies to India to persuade her to go back to Australia, with news that her father is very sick. Back home, Ruth is disappointed to know that her father is very healthy and that the 'sick' news is just a ploy to get her back. Meanwhile, Ruth's family hires a 'de-programmer' to 'exorcise' Ruth from her bewitchment with India and it's religion.
Director: Jane Campion
Cast: Kate Winslet, Harvey Keitel
On her journey to India, Ruth is bewitched by its mysticism and decides to stay to the dismay of her parents. Her mother flies to India to persuade her to go back to Australia, with news that her father is very sick. Back home, Ruth is disappointed to know that her father is very healthy and that the 'sick' news is just a ploy to get her back. Meanwhile, Ruth's family hires a 'de-programmer' to 'exorcise' Ruth from her bewitchment with India and it's religion.
At first, it's quite interesting how the clash between religion and sex be handled in a film like this. Then as the movie's running time nears its end, everything gets muddled so that I no longer care how it will end. There's just too much scenes that crave attention thrown into it. Kate Winlet's believable portrayal as the 'delusional' Ruth is, for me, the only saving grace of the movie. While the movie is forgettable, it's Kate Winslet's artistry that will be remembered from it. By the way, the cinematography is noteworthy.
Rating: 2.5/4.0
Date seen: April 13, 2013
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