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| Monsoon Wedding | 
 enlarge | Director: Mira Nair
Actors: Naseeruddin Shah, Lillete Dubey, Shefali Shetty, Vijay Raaz, Tillotama Shome
Studio: Universal Studios
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.99
Buy New: $4.11
You Save: $5.88 (59%)
New (42) Used (28) from $3.96
Avg. Customer Rating:  212 reviews
Sales Rank: 2683
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Hindi (Original Language), Punjabi (Original Language), Urdu (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 114
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: MCAD22284D
ISBN: 0783271301
UPC: 025192228421
EAN: 9780783271309
ASIN: B00006AW0I
Theatrical Release Date: 2001
Release Date: September 24, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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| Customer Reviews:
 Houston Hindu in Delhi Culture Clash January 25, 2007
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
An arranged wedding is the occasion for exploring the clash of generations and cultures. The bride and groom are both Indian, sure enough, but Hemant is a computer programmer from Houston and Aditi is from Delhi.
 Must have missed something in the translation December 12, 2006
8 out of 22 found this review helpful
My husband I ordered this movie based on all the glowing reviews here. We quickly instituted the 20-minute rule for this one. Which means that if a movie isn't going anywhere or getting any better after 20 minutes, it generally never will. Any time I've flouted this rule, I've found myself wasting two hours of my life.
From the outset we couldn't hear 80 percent of what the actors said. As another reviewer noted, it's not the accents, it's just really poor sound quality. We had the volume turned up all the way and maybe caught every fifth word or so. We generally had no clue as to what was transpiring on an auditory level. That was frustrating enough, but even the visuals were bewildering - the chaotic scenes and jerking camera got tiring quickly. It's like a homemade video by an overeager, drunken Uncle Bob trying out his new recorder.
I am honestly perplexed by the the endless rave reviews here, but to each their own. Hopefully our local library will be as glad to get this donation as we are to get rid of it.
 okay November 3, 2006
this movie was okay it was not that great nor that exciting to see at most times.
Love is the same for all August 13, 2006
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
Monsoon Wedding shows the similarities between the upper and lower caste. Every class has the ability to feel love and pain as well as joy and sorrow. These emotions are not unique to the poor or the rich. Nair uses Dubye's relationship with Alice and Auditi's relationship with her fiance to bridge the economical and cultural gap and focuses on acts of human nature common to all. Indian culture often devalues and dehumanizes the poor caste seeing them as a commodity. The director skillfully intertwines the two love interests in such a way that the audience receives a holistic view of Indian society.
When Alice is distracted by the marigold, we see her as human. Nair attempts to remind us that despite Alice's position in life she is just as much a person with thoughts and feelings of her own. When she lets her hair down, we get another glimpse of her human side. Because she spends a lot of time with her employers, she desperately wants to be a part of their culture. This might mean that it is human nature, regardless of status to think the grass is greener on the other side. Although exhibited in a different manner, many of her employer's family feel the same way. The young son of the family is misunderstood by his parents. His mom treats him like a baby and his dad refuses to take the time to get to know and understand him. Having more doors, open to you doesn't automatically take your problems and worries away. The mother of the bride has many last minute preparations. Taking care of all the tiny details can be a rather stressful job as symbolized by her smoking. All Alice wants to see is the family's affluence and statues in the community. What she doesn't understand is that along with opportunity comes responsibility. Having constant demands on you is very stressful.
Dubey is a very interesting character. Although rather annoying, at times he was surprisingly deep. As much as he made fun of his employers, you could tell that he wanted to have even a fraction of their opportunities. There were a few instances where he showed his interest in all things modern. If he had more advantages in life he could perhaps immerse himself in modern popular culture. Just as Alice was blind to the difficulties faced by the rich, Dubey was also. This is a shortcoming of the disadvantaged. They don't seem to have enough objectivity to appreciate what they have. They always want more without realizing the trials and tribulations that come with being rich and well connected.
Being rich has its trade offs. One of the most obvious shown in this film is love. Most upper class members are brought up with old world ideals. They expect their children to have arranged marriages. Auditi is miserable at first being separated from her "boyfriend." I would find it awkward to marry someone I've never met, have no romantic feelings for, and don't know much about. Most upper cast members are resigned to doing whatever their parents tell them, including marrying a complete stranger. I would rather be miserable and make my own mistakes. After all, I couldn't be any more miserable not having a say in my own life.
Dubey marries whom he wishes. Being from the poor caste, neither the bride nor the groom has much opportunity in life. As a result, wealth and reputation are not qualities given priority in a marriage partner. This to me would be a blessing. I could put up with being poor if only I could marry for love. Thus, what Dubey and Alice don't recognize is that they have at least one advantage. They are both so busy dreaming that they don't realize how lucky they are.
Although Dubey and Alice are taken for granted, in the end they finally get a bit of acceptance. If even for one night, there is justice in the world. As hard as Alice hopes and dreams of inclusion, she finally finds it. It's nice to know that people can change. Dubey on the surface is callous and nasty. In the end, his love for Alice softens him. Love also softens Auditi's father. Her father is rather grouchy and demanding towards Dubey but as he learns to relax and join in the wedding celebration, he becomes friendly, at least for the night to the new couple. If only for one night, the oppression of the working class has fallen away. This movie allows the audience to believe that understanding and perhaps even friendship is possible between two such different segments of society.
 Great Wedding/Family Film August 10, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This movie is set in India and is about a family coming together for a wedding. Many of us could easily relate to issues brought up in the film like overspending on the wedding budget, dealing with family members who can't get along, young love, etc. there are also issues brought up that are fascinating to watch - it;s an arranged marriage, the bride is still in love with her ex-lover, and one of the major characters must deal with being molested. I love this movie. It has characters you can care about and topics that are relevant and accessible o the audience. Sometime, the English is a little difficult to understand, so pay close attention or use subtitles. I also find this is a "girl" movie. I've had a hard time truing to get men to sit thru it in its entirety. Probably because its about a wedding.
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