Reviews (269)

Bend it like who??????
There was much debate over the title for "Bend it Like Beckham." It was deemed too unappealing and was thought the title would hurt the film's box-office performance, despite its tremendous overseas success. But the title is like the movie itself--smart, original, and unique.

It refers to English soccer superstar David Beckham and his ability to curve a ball straight past the goalie. He's a hero to Jess (Parminder Nagra), an Indian girl residing with her traditional, hard-headed family in England. Jess is torn between being a dutiful younger daughter and her overwhelming passion for soccer. When Jules (Keira Knightley) spots her playing with a group of local boys and is awed by Jess' talent, she invites the Indian girl to play for her team, coached by a charismatic young Irishman named Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyer), who they both fall for.

Jess' father (Bollywood actor Anupam Kher) holds a grudge against the English but is soft-hearted toward his daughter. Jess' mom (a wonderful Shaheen Khan), who is preparing Jess' older sister, Pinky, for her wedding, prays that Jess will forgo her obsession with the sport for marriage and a life cooking Indian food for her future husband and family. Jules' mom (a hilarious Juliet Stevenson) tries to sway Jules into Wonderbras and girly clothes. But Jules, strong-willed and independent, is sure of her future: She wants to play soccer in America and nothing, not even her crush on Joe, will stop her.

Mix-up's, family complications, a beautiful Indian wedding, and a neat resolution all follow.

Like last year's equally thrilling "Monsoon Wedding," "Bend It Like Beckham" is terrifically fun entertainment; wonderfully shot and acted, instilled with spirit and life and able to woo us with its exhuberant freshness despite a triumph-over-adversity theme we've seen many times in different incarnations. It's explores the culture clash beautifully, and despite the predictabilty, it's a winner in every sense of the word. Definitely this year's feel good crowd pleaser.

Coming of age, Indian style
Cultures clash when talented young Jesminder Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), an Indian girl living with her family in England, earns a spot on a girls' soccer team. Running around in shorts in public is simply not appropriate for a proper young lady, and the time needed for practice would clash with Jess's many obligations, such as preparing for the wedding of her older sister (Archie Panjabi), learning how to cook a proper Indian meal (including vegetarian), and getting into a good school. Jess is soon trying to juggle her home life and her exciting new soccer life, which includes a new best friend (Keira Knightley) and a love interest (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers).

This is a very exhuberant and entertaining film. It follows the basic formula of a coming-of-age film but does it without any missteps. The cast is wonderful. Special mention goes to Anupam Kher and Shaheen Khan, who play Jess's parents. Writer/director Gurinder Chadha (with co-writers Paul Mayeda Berges and Guljit Bindra) has made a very entertaining movie.

Oligobi?
Family values and girl power rules in this movie.

The story is about a tomboy girl growing up in a traditional Indian family, which of course is more partial for her to be more feminine as she grows up and learn how to do housework. Jess, the tomboy star, is infatuated with soccer and her idol is avid Beckham and we all know what that leads to...her having the need to be just like him.

So behind her family's back, she sneaks around, join a women football team and have her gay bestfriend cover up for her. She has another new girlfriend named Jules, and both of them gets into a few weird fix with their family, eg their parents thinking they are lesbians. On the side, they are both in love with their coach and of course jealousy would really be in the way of their friendship.

One day, the coach got the team an European cup match and of course it would end up in the newspaper where the parents found out their daughter is still playing soccer! *gasps!*

Watch it if you like a story about family value and girl power. I'm mostly into this movie because of it's comedy ^_^

The US thinks it's the only country that has rascism...
This is a truly wonderful story. Okay, it has some sort of silly bits, but overall it offers a moving portrait of a young Pakistani girl living in London, and coping with her amazing soccer skills in the face of tremendous cultural opposition.

The movie is well made: not only is the writing good but I was particularly impressed with the editing and the music. I don't usually notice such things, but I thought both were very well done and added to the movie. A lot of the humor was very subtle and showed a very dry wit. I particularly liked the touch of the ditzy, slutty sister who is the "perfect" daughter because she hides her rebellion.

I found it a little upsetting, when I saw it in the theater, that the scene where the father describes the rascism he encountered when he first tried to play cricket in Britain elicited a chorus of laughter from the audience. When Americans think of rascism, they think of "white people versus black people," but there is formidable rascism in Britain against people for Southeast Asian descent. In order to fully understand and appreciate this movie, you must understand that.

Suprisengly Great
What makes a great movie is that the viewer should leave watching this film with a good taste in the mouth that "the movie was good. I enjoyed it." This movie delivers exactly that. The movie shows how traditional values get in the way of the dreams of a British Indian girl looks at. Making "curry", cooking "roti", and singing praises of her husband is a cliché of any Indian girl. How about playing football (soccer in British) Sounds strange? Well, that is what you are all set to witness. A British Indian girl is just about excellent playing football (soccer) and wants to excel in it. But that's not her parent's cup of tea. More than that, she falls in love with a white guy? The Indian cliché family is not going to stand for it. How she hides, runs, and gets her bit of the world is all, "Bend it Like Bekham" is all about. Wait a second, did you think than the movie is a serious melodrama? Hell No! It's an out and out comedy. The comic scenes are extremely hilarious and make you laugh and enjoy the good times melt on the big screen. This movie was surprisingly great, when my cousin brought this film I thought typical chick flick, but it is for some reason a great film. This is a must see film. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

fun film about four families
This is a fun premise -- spending the Thanksgiving holiday with four very different LA families -- that is executed very well, with capable direction and a fine cast. Children are coming home and families are setting extra places as friends and members of these families -- one Asian, one Hispanic, one Jewish and one African-American -- get together and face various real-life issues such as parent-child disagreements, meeting the SO's parents, in-laws, adultery, etc. The movie could have been riddled with cliches, but a decent script and excellent cast -- including Mercedes Ruehl, Alfre Woodard, Lanie Kazan, Dennis Haysbert and Joan Chen -- make this an entertaining film that is part drama but mostly comedy. Don't watch this while you're dieting, though, as there are many scenes of the wonderful dinners being prepared.

DVD features include subtitles in English, French or Spanish; a commentary track with writer/director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Backham) and co-writer Paul Berges; interview segments with the director on the characters and on Thanksgiving, with Kyra Sedgwick on Julianna Margulies, with Mercedes Ruehl on the film's premise, with Dennis Haysbert on Los Angeles, with Joan Chen on food, and with Alfre Woodard on Chadha; and recipes for Vietnamese spring rolls, tamales, rustic (apple) pie, macaroni & cheese, noodle kugel and oyster-shiitake stuffing.

Definitely a worthwhile rental.

A great ensemble cast makes this a delicious feast...
Directed by Gurinder Chadha, this good ensemble piece centers on four Los Angeles families (in various stages of dysfunction) attempting to come together over Thanksgiving dinner. Though the story lines are familiar, the laughter and emotions keep this movie from being a leftover Turkey sandwich.

The fantastic ensemble cast includes the always wonderful Alfre Woodard as a woman fighting the stress of maintaining peace in her family. Mercedes Ruehl turns in another good performance as a level-headed matriarch rebounding from a cheating husband. Kyra Sedgwick and Julianna Margulies are delicious as a lesbian couple trying not to spar with one set of parents (enably played by Lainie Kazan and Maury Chakin). Joan Chen is also great playing a tradition-based parent losing a battle against her rebelling teenage kids. Toss in Estelle Harris for extra laughs and wonderful turns from much of the supporting cast, and you can't go wrong.

Though the movies' editing is somehwat choppy, it comes together nicely at the end. I'd highly recommend filling your plate with an extra helping of this gem. The enjoyment of laughter, possible tears, and multi-ethnic traditions make this one a winner.

Typical Thanksgiving Day
This movie was great. It shows a typical thanksgiving day in four different households. It goes without saying, there are
problems in every family. If you are expecting A WALTON MOUNTAIN THANKSGIVING or even THANKSGIVING WITH THE CLEAVERS, I'm sorry this is real.

Exquisite and spicy banquet for the soul
Food and its preparation is one of the things that define us, our culture and how we come together with our families.

Writer/Director Gurinder Chadha (who will later write and direct Bend it like Beckham) brings us her first "american" film: an exquisite, sweet and even sexy (while brutally honest) look at contemporary family dynamics in present-day L.A, using food (and surprisingly enough, surfer music) as the thread to sew together the trials and tribulations of four "ethnic" families during a Thanksgiving day.

But "What's cooking" is more than "just" a food movie, or a Thanksgiving movie. Through an amazing ensemble cast (including Academy Award winner Mercedes Ruehl), ingenous cinematography, smart direction and an outstanding script, Director Chadra makes us feel the joys and pains of these characters.

The story itself is simple: follow the lives of four West L.A. families (Latino, Vietnamese, Black and Jewish) through a Thanksgiving Day. But immediately we get drawn into very powerful statements about love, family, community, divorce, diversity, racism, politics, tolerance and violence. We identify with these characters because we can all relate to their problems, and their family interactions.

I highly recommend this film because it is beautifully and skillfully done, and because of the great actor performances, particularly the female leads. Alfre Woodard is exquisite and brutally believable as the wife trying to keep her family together. Joan Chen, Lainie Kazan and of course Mercedes Ruehl all give extraordinary performances as the matriarchs of these families. Julianna Margulies and Kyra Sedgwick are a joy to watch as a lesbian couple. Dennis Haysbert ("24", Far From Heaven) is fabulous also.

For all you Seinfeld fans out there, you get a glimpse of Estelle Harris in yet another Estelle Costanza incarnation. With her, the loveable Ralph Manza as uncle David (Gepetto in "The Cigar Store Indian").

DVD extras include interviews (they're interesting, although not well edited; it feels like they were "thrown together" at the last minute,sometimes even cutting off mid-sentence, but the raw material is there), theatrical trailer, recipes, and a commentary track (with Writer/Director Chadha and co-writer and husband Paul Mayeda Berger). As expected, the commentary track gives us an inside look ad the writing, casting, production, cinematography and the filming process in general.

Expect bigger and greater things from this power couple.

The Melting Pot
Much like her 2003 hit movie "Bend It Like Beckham", Gurinder Chadha's "What's Cooking?" is infused with people who love one another very much, and so even though some tough issues are thrown their way, we know that, because of that love, they will get through life's obstacles ok.

"What's Cooking" centers around four families living on the same block in Los Angeles. They don't know each other, however, and instead, like most modern families, are focused on their own problems and worries. Chadha makes good use of "the American melting pot" idea, as one family is Italian, one is hispanic, one is black, and one is Asian. One of the most wonderful aspects of the movie is that, even though the people are of different ethnicities, they are portrayed respectfully as human beings. We can relate to each of them. They are different, but the same. Isn't that the underlying truth of us all? People are, indeed, people.

There are some nice performances here: Alfre Woodard is great as a stressed, neglected wife. Dennis Haysbert is quiet, cool and simmering as her husband. Mercedes Ruehl shines as the mother of the hispanic family, trying to move on with her life from an ex-husband that just won't understand that it's over between them. Kyra Sedgwick and Julianna Margulies are endearing as a lesbian couple on their first trip to meet the parents. Estelle Harris (of "Seinfeld" fame) is deliciously wicked as the aunt who just keeps pushing the issue. And, of course, there's Lainie Kazan -- always a treat.

I saw this film at Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival in 2003, and it was very well-received. There are dramatic, serious moments, and then there are quite hilarious moments. The theater was filled with laughter a number of times, and deservedly so. In the end, this is a 'feel-good' film. And one which will also have you salivating throughout, as each family is busy cooking and preparing their Thanksgiving dinners.

This is the second Gurinder Chadha movie that I have seen, and from what I have tell, she seems to really believe the best of people. Yes, we fight. Yes, we quarrel. Yes, we disagree. But at the heart of humanity has to be love and understanding, if we are to get along and survive. "What's Cooking" embodies this sentiment wonderfully. It was a joy to watch. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good, but somewhat of an empty plot!
This movie is a very good attempt by Meera Syal and Gurinder Chadha to show how Indian women try to embrace new cultural ideals while retaining traditions of the past. The women not only suffer from racism in white England, but also sexism within their own culture.

However the narrative seems to be somewhat underdeveloped. It doesn't seem to go indepth with the different characters. For instance I would have like to have learned a little more about the older aunt, Asha, who hallucinates about the clashes between Indian mores and Western influences. The histories of younger teenagers Madhu and Bina, as well as the abused Ginder and her husband, should have been a little more insightful.

The only aspect of the movie I really liked is the relationship between Hashida and her Jamaican boyfriend, played very well by Mo Sesay, who doesn't hesitate to show emotion towards a life altering decision.

Nonetheless, throughout the movie it can be noticed that all the women have experiences that changes her way of thinking towards theirselves and society to some degree. This is probably what the screenwriter and director of this movie wanted to convey to the audience. All and all, this is a very decent movie to watch.

Must-see on transnational gender, race, class
What does it mean to be Indian women in today's Britain? "Bhaji on the Beach" follows a intergenerational group of transmigrant Indian women in the UK as they organize for a day at the seashore. En route they address racism, sexism, and changing culture in ways sometimes humorous, sometimes in-your-face brash, sometimes frightening, sometimes poignant. The range of women -- young feminist organizer, recent bride, young mother, middle-class housewives, traditional grandmothers,sexually awakening teens -- and the the issues addressed make the film both emotionally engaging and thought provoking. The outing that is the central occasion in the film touches off a series of moral and cultural dilemmas for these women. Through vignettes, the contradictions (often quite funny) faced by the women unfold. The generations unexpectedly come together around wife battering and community responses to it. Fine acting, deft directing.

A combination of "Joy Luck Club" and "Get On The Bus"
If there is a movie for any Westerner who is into road trip movies and interested in seeing international movies but afraid of subtitles, this is a wonderful start. The director Ms. Chadha is a great storyteller. Her tapestry of female characters, riding a bus to an amusement park to get away from the opposite sex in order to be in touch with themselves, weaves together a splendid film. The group of Indian-British women characters of various generations, professions and ages reminds me of the strong Asian women characters in "The Joy Luck Club," where the women find strength in each other by just bonding--simply spending time together. Not to say that "Beaches" and "The Color Purple" are bad examples. Those two films are great too. But it's rare to have movies about women, especially women of color with whose cultures sometimes restrict them in their goals and dreams. Even just everyday stuff like racism and sexism and male-female relationships (which the characters discuss while on the road) isn't always a unanimous decision. Also, the movie reminds me of Spike Lee's "Get On The Bus," another movie of a group of a people of color of one gender(African-American men)also of various ages, generations, and professions find strength in each other on their bus trip en route to Washington DC. These men bond together while agreeing and disagreeing about sexism, racism, etc. Plus also getting away from the opposite sex in their bus road trip because incidently, they're going to the Million Man March.

The bus road trip in "Bhaji On The Beach" isn't as politically based "Get On The Bus," but it does have spiritual growth merit with the travelers on board both trips.

I know I didn't get too much with my review of "Bhaji On The Beach," but if you liked my comparison of the movie with "The Joy Luck Club" and "Get On The Bus," please WATCH IT. It's a very good movie. In fact, watch all three of them. You'll won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Reviews (269)

Bend it like who??????
There was much debate over the title for "Bend it Like Beckham." It was deemed too unappealing and was thought the title would hurt the film's box-office performance, despite its tremendous overseas success. But the title is like the movie itself--smart, original, and unique.

It refers to English soccer superstar David Beckham and his ability to curve a ball straight past the goalie. He's a hero to Jess (Parminder Nagra), an Indian girl residing with her traditional, hard-headed family in England. Jess is torn between being a dutiful younger daughter and her overwhelming passion for soccer. When Jules (Keira Knightley) spots her playing with a group of local boys and is awed by Jess' talent, she invites the Indian girl to play for her team, coached by a charismatic young Irishman named Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyer), who they both fall for.

Jess' father (Bollywood actor Anupam Kher) holds a grudge against the English but is soft-hearted toward his daughter. Jess' mom (a wonderful Shaheen Khan), who is preparing Jess' older sister, Pinky, for her wedding, prays that Jess will forgo her obsession with the sport for marriage and a life cooking Indian food for her future husband and family. Jules' mom (a hilarious Juliet Stevenson) tries to sway Jules into Wonderbras and girly clothes. But Jules, strong-willed and independent, is sure of her future: She wants to play soccer in America and nothing, not even her crush on Joe, will stop her.

Mix-up's, family complications, a beautiful Indian wedding, and a neat resolution all follow.

Like last year's equally thrilling "Monsoon Wedding," "Bend It Like Beckham" is terrifically fun entertainment; wonderfully shot and acted, instilled with spirit and life and able to woo us with its exhuberant freshness despite a triumph-over-adversity theme we've seen many times in different incarnations. It's explores the culture clash beautifully, and despite the predictabilty, it's a winner in every sense of the word. Definitely this year's feel good crowd pleaser.

Coming of age, Indian style
Cultures clash when talented young Jesminder Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), an Indian girl living with her family in England, earns a spot on a girls' soccer team. Running around in shorts in public is simply not appropriate for a proper young lady, and the time needed for practice would clash with Jess's many obligations, such as preparing for the wedding of her older sister (Archie Panjabi), learning how to cook a proper Indian meal (including vegetarian), and getting into a good school. Jess is soon trying to juggle her home life and her exciting new soccer life, which includes a new best friend (Keira Knightley) and a love interest (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers).

This is a very exhuberant and entertaining film. It follows the basic formula of a coming-of-age film but does it without any missteps. The cast is wonderful. Special mention goes to Anupam Kher and Shaheen Khan, who play Jess's parents. Writer/director Gurinder Chadha (with co-writers Paul Mayeda Berges and Guljit Bindra) has made a very entertaining movie.

Oligobi?
Family values and girl power rules in this movie.

The story is about a tomboy girl growing up in a traditional Indian family, which of course is more partial for her to be more feminine as she grows up and learn how to do housework. Jess, the tomboy star, is infatuated with soccer and her idol is avid Beckham and we all know what that leads to...her having the need to be just like him.

So behind her family's back, she sneaks around, join a women football team and have her gay bestfriend cover up for her. She has another new girlfriend named Jules, and both of them gets into a few weird fix with their family, eg their parents thinking they are lesbians. On the side, they are both in love with their coach and of course jealousy would really be in the way of their friendship.

One day, the coach got the team an European cup match and of course it would end up in the newspaper where the parents found out their daughter is still playing soccer! *gasps!*

Watch it if you like a story about family value and girl power. I'm mostly into this movie because of it's comedy ^_^

The US thinks it's the only country that has rascism...
This is a truly wonderful story. Okay, it has some sort of silly bits, but overall it offers a moving portrait of a young Pakistani girl living in London, and coping with her amazing soccer skills in the face of tremendous cultural opposition.

The movie is well made: not only is the writing good but I was particularly impressed with the editing and the music. I don't usually notice such things, but I thought both were very well done and added to the movie. A lot of the humor was very subtle and showed a very dry wit. I particularly liked the touch of the ditzy, slutty sister who is the "perfect" daughter because she hides her rebellion.

I found it a little upsetting, when I saw it in the theater, that the scene where the father describes the rascism he encountered when he first tried to play cricket in Britain elicited a chorus of laughter from the audience. When Americans think of rascism, they think of "white people versus black people," but there is formidable rascism in Britain against people for Southeast Asian descent. In order to fully understand and appreciate this movie, you must understand that.

Suprisengly Great
What makes a great movie is that the viewer should leave watching this film with a good taste in the mouth that "the movie was good. I enjoyed it." This movie delivers exactly that. The movie shows how traditional values get in the way of the dreams of a British Indian girl looks at. Making "curry", cooking "roti", and singing praises of her husband is a cliché of any Indian girl. How about playing football (soccer in British) Sounds strange? Well, that is what you are all set to witness. A British Indian girl is just about excellent playing football (soccer) and wants to excel in it. But that's not her parent's cup of tea. More than that, she falls in love with a white guy? The Indian cliché family is not going to stand for it. How she hides, runs, and gets her bit of the world is all, "Bend it Like Bekham" is all about. Wait a second, did you think than the movie is a serious melodrama? Hell No! It's an out and out comedy. The comic scenes are extremely hilarious and make you laugh and enjoy the good times melt on the big screen. This movie was surprisingly great, when my cousin brought this film I thought typical chick flick, but it is for some reason a great film. This is a must see film. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

fun film about four families
This is a fun premise -- spending the Thanksgiving holiday with four very different LA families -- that is executed very well, with capable direction and a fine cast. Children are coming home and families are setting extra places as friends and members of these families -- one Asian, one Hispanic, one Jewish and one African-American -- get together and face various real-life issues such as parent-child disagreements, meeting the SO's parents, in-laws, adultery, etc. The movie could have been riddled with cliches, but a decent script and excellent cast -- including Mercedes Ruehl, Alfre Woodard, Lanie Kazan, Dennis Haysbert and Joan Chen -- make this an entertaining film that is part drama but mostly comedy. Don't watch this while you're dieting, though, as there are many scenes of the wonderful dinners being prepared.

DVD features include subtitles in English, French or Spanish; a commentary track with writer/director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Backham) and co-writer Paul Berges; interview segments with the director on the characters and on Thanksgiving, with Kyra Sedgwick on Julianna Margulies, with Mercedes Ruehl on the film's premise, with Dennis Haysbert on Los Angeles, with Joan Chen on food, and with Alfre Woodard on Chadha; and recipes for Vietnamese spring rolls, tamales, rustic (apple) pie, macaroni & cheese, noodle kugel and oyster-shiitake stuffing.

Definitely a worthwhile rental.

A great ensemble cast makes this a delicious feast...
Directed by Gurinder Chadha, this good ensemble piece centers on four Los Angeles families (in various stages of dysfunction) attempting to come together over Thanksgiving dinner. Though the story lines are familiar, the laughter and emotions keep this movie from being a leftover Turkey sandwich.

The fantastic ensemble cast includes the always wonderful Alfre Woodard as a woman fighting the stress of maintaining peace in her family. Mercedes Ruehl turns in another good performance as a level-headed matriarch rebounding from a cheating husband. Kyra Sedgwick and Julianna Margulies are delicious as a lesbian couple trying not to spar with one set of parents (enably played by Lainie Kazan and Maury Chakin). Joan Chen is also great playing a tradition-based parent losing a battle against her rebelling teenage kids. Toss in Estelle Harris for extra laughs and wonderful turns from much of the supporting cast, and you can't go wrong.

Though the movies' editing is somehwat choppy, it comes together nicely at the end. I'd highly recommend filling your plate with an extra helping of this gem. The enjoyment of laughter, possible tears, and multi-ethnic traditions make this one a winner.

Typical Thanksgiving Day
This movie was great. It shows a typical thanksgiving day in four different households. It goes without saying, there are
problems in every family. If you are expecting A WALTON MOUNTAIN THANKSGIVING or even THANKSGIVING WITH THE CLEAVERS, I'm sorry this is real.

Exquisite and spicy banquet for the soul
Food and its preparation is one of the things that define us, our culture and how we come together with our families.

Writer/Director Gurinder Chadha (who will later write and direct Bend it like Beckham) brings us her first "american" film: an exquisite, sweet and even sexy (while brutally honest) look at contemporary family dynamics in present-day L.A, using food (and surprisingly enough, surfer music) as the thread to sew together the trials and tribulations of four "ethnic" families during a Thanksgiving day.

But "What's cooking" is more than "just" a food movie, or a Thanksgiving movie. Through an amazing ensemble cast (including Academy Award winner Mercedes Ruehl), ingenous cinematography, smart direction and an outstanding script, Director Chadra makes us feel the joys and pains of these characters.

The story itself is simple: follow the lives of four West L.A. families (Latino, Vietnamese, Black and Jewish) through a Thanksgiving Day. But immediately we get drawn into very powerful statements about love, family, community, divorce, diversity, racism, politics, tolerance and violence. We identify with these characters because we can all relate to their problems, and their family interactions.

I highly recommend this film because it is beautifully and skillfully done, and because of the great actor performances, particularly the female leads. Alfre Woodard is exquisite and brutally believable as the wife trying to keep her family together. Joan Chen, Lainie Kazan and of course Mercedes Ruehl all give extraordinary performances as the matriarchs of these families. Julianna Margulies and Kyra Sedgwick are a joy to watch as a lesbian couple. Dennis Haysbert ("24", Far From Heaven) is fabulous also.

For all you Seinfeld fans out there, you get a glimpse of Estelle Harris in yet another Estelle Costanza incarnation. With her, the loveable Ralph Manza as uncle David (Gepetto in "The Cigar Store Indian").

DVD extras include interviews (they're interesting, although not well edited; it feels like they were "thrown together" at the last minute,sometimes even cutting off mid-sentence, but the raw material is there), theatrical trailer, recipes, and a commentary track (with Writer/Director Chadha and co-writer and husband Paul Mayeda Berger). As expected, the commentary track gives us an inside look ad the writing, casting, production, cinematography and the filming process in general.

Expect bigger and greater things from this power couple.

The Melting Pot
Much like her 2003 hit movie "Bend It Like Beckham", Gurinder Chadha's "What's Cooking?" is infused with people who love one another very much, and so even though some tough issues are thrown their way, we know that, because of that love, they will get through life's obstacles ok.

"What's Cooking" centers around four families living on the same block in Los Angeles. They don't know each other, however, and instead, like most modern families, are focused on their own problems and worries. Chadha makes good use of "the American melting pot" idea, as one family is Italian, one is hispanic, one is black, and one is Asian. One of the most wonderful aspects of the movie is that, even though the people are of different ethnicities, they are portrayed respectfully as human beings. We can relate to each of them. They are different, but the same. Isn't that the underlying truth of us all? People are, indeed, people.

There are some nice performances here: Alfre Woodard is great as a stressed, neglected wife. Dennis Haysbert is quiet, cool and simmering as her husband. Mercedes Ruehl shines as the mother of the hispanic family, trying to move on with her life from an ex-husband that just won't understand that it's over between them. Kyra Sedgwick and Julianna Margulies are endearing as a lesbian couple on their first trip to meet the parents. Estelle Harris (of "Seinfeld" fame) is deliciously wicked as the aunt who just keeps pushing the issue. And, of course, there's Lainie Kazan -- always a treat.

I saw this film at Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival in 2003, and it was very well-received. There are dramatic, serious moments, and then there are quite hilarious moments. The theater was filled with laughter a number of times, and deservedly so. In the end, this is a 'feel-good' film. And one which will also have you salivating throughout, as each family is busy cooking and preparing their Thanksgiving dinners.

This is the second Gurinder Chadha movie that I have seen, and from what I have tell, she seems to really believe the best of people. Yes, we fight. Yes, we quarrel. Yes, we disagree. But at the heart of humanity has to be love and understanding, if we are to get along and survive. "What's Cooking" embodies this sentiment wonderfully. It was a joy to watch. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good, but somewhat of an empty plot!
This movie is a very good attempt by Meera Syal and Gurinder Chadha to show how Indian women try to embrace new cultural ideals while retaining traditions of the past. The women not only suffer from racism in white England, but also sexism within their own culture.

However the narrative seems to be somewhat underdeveloped. It doesn't seem to go indepth with the different characters. For instance I would have like to have learned a little more about the older aunt, Asha, who hallucinates about the clashes between Indian mores and Western influences. The histories of younger teenagers Madhu and Bina, as well as the abused Ginder and her husband, should have been a little more insightful.

The only aspect of the movie I really liked is the relationship between Hashida and her Jamaican boyfriend, played very well by Mo Sesay, who doesn't hesitate to show emotion towards a life altering decision.

Nonetheless, throughout the movie it can be noticed that all the women have experiences that changes her way of thinking towards theirselves and society to some degree. This is probably what the screenwriter and director of this movie wanted to convey to the audience. All and all, this is a very decent movie to watch.

Must-see on transnational gender, race, class
What does it mean to be Indian women in today's Britain? "Bhaji on the Beach" follows a intergenerational group of transmigrant Indian women in the UK as they organize for a day at the seashore. En route they address racism, sexism, and changing culture in ways sometimes humorous, sometimes in-your-face brash, sometimes frightening, sometimes poignant. The range of women -- young feminist organizer, recent bride, young mother, middle-class housewives, traditional grandmothers,sexually awakening teens -- and the the issues addressed make the film both emotionally engaging and thought provoking. The outing that is the central occasion in the film touches off a series of moral and cultural dilemmas for these women. Through vignettes, the contradictions (often quite funny) faced by the women unfold. The generations unexpectedly come together around wife battering and community responses to it. Fine acting, deft directing.

A combination of "Joy Luck Club" and "Get On The Bus"
If there is a movie for any Westerner who is into road trip movies and interested in seeing international movies but afraid of subtitles, this is a wonderful start. The director Ms. Chadha is a great storyteller. Her tapestry of female characters, riding a bus to an amusement park to get away from the opposite sex in order to be in touch with themselves, weaves together a splendid film. The group of Indian-British women characters of various generations, professions and ages reminds me of the strong Asian women characters in "The Joy Luck Club," where the women find strength in each other by just bonding--simply spending time together. Not to say that "Beaches" and "The Color Purple" are bad examples. Those two films are great too. But it's rare to have movies about women, especially women of color with whose cultures sometimes restrict them in their goals and dreams. Even just everyday stuff like racism and sexism and male-female relationships (which the characters discuss while on the road) isn't always a unanimous decision. Also, the movie reminds me of Spike Lee's "Get On The Bus," another movie of a group of a people of color of one gender(African-American men)also of various ages, generations, and professions find strength in each other on their bus trip en route to Washington DC. These men bond together while agreeing and disagreeing about sexism, racism, etc. Plus also getting away from the opposite sex in their bus road trip because incidently, they're going to the Million Man March.

The bus road trip in "Bhaji On The Beach" isn't as politically based "Get On The Bus," but it does have spiritual growth merit with the travelers on board both trips.

I know I didn't get too much with my review of "Bhaji On The Beach," but if you liked my comparison of the movie with "The Joy Luck Club" and "Get On The Bus," please WATCH IT. It's a very good movie. In fact, watch all three of them. You'll won't be disappointed. ... Read more