The Journey

I just happened to catch this on the IFC. What a lucky catch. I can't believe that this movie has not been given wider distribution and commentary, since it is excellent. The cultural differences so warmly observed here between the Indian and modern American help us to a better understanding of both, and perhaps to a better understanding of ourselves.

This is not a flashy movie, but one that draws you in with its careful editing. There are simple moments of great beauty as when the father tells the story of a poem sung by a circle of Japanese visitors to an art museum, or the recitation of a short poem relevant to the story.

I had never seen any of these actors before, but they are uniformly up to the task, all turning in highly believable performances.

And the Indian music carries you along. I definitely came to a greater appreciation of Indian music from having seen this film. There is a scene where an older Indian listens to the music and, without saying a word, shows you how deeply affecting it can be.

I am telling this film is ok only. Very odd scene chooses for the peoples.

"The Journey" concerns an elderly Indian gentleman, a former private school headmaster, who comes to Pittsburgh to live with his son's family after the death of his wife. His son is a doctor, married to an American woman, and they have a young daughter who instantly takes to her grandfather, a kind, wise, soft-spoken, well-educated man. But of course cultural differences cause difficulty in the family. The slow, awkward resolution of this conflict, without demonizing anyone, is the heart of this touching story about family love crossing cultural boundaries. Roshan Seth ("Buddha of Suburbia") gives a consummate performance as Mr. Singh, though he could be considered typecast. "The Journey" has not received US distribution, but if you get a chance to see it, your life will never be the same afterward.

Although the time in which the movie was filmed may put people off because of its cheesy 90's elevator music in the background, the plot and theme of the whole film is never the less amazing. The director compares two polar cultures, Indian and American, and clashes the two when an old man from India comes to America to visit his sons' family. The time base of the whole movie is set during the season of autumn which richly captures the idea of falling leaves and the changes made in the lives of the characters; which could also support that the use of trees is also a representation of wisdom that the grandfather brings to his family. His passion for music and poetry brings us closer to his character as a charming and charismatic old man, but he still suffers from the loss of his dead wife. The movie shows a healing process for each of the characters. The grandfather recovers from the death of his wife, his son begins to question his significance as a doctor in America, while his daughter in-law (a completely dislikeable perfectionist in my opinion) is still searching for her own identity and role as a mother,wife and an individual. I deeply enjoyed this movie and felt that it has made a great impact on me and I hope it will do the same for many other viewers.

I give this movie a rating of 10 because this was one of the most touching movies I have seen for a long time. I have to admit that I watched most of it through misty eyes!! And that is TOUGH for a man to admit...

Decidedly my view is biased because most of what happens in the film has happened to me in real life. Regardless, Roshen Seth gives a superlative performance as an Indian struggling to cope with being a widower and in a new country with his son and his American wife. The director does a magnificient job of portraying conflict between the father and the daughter-in-law without anybody showing up as "the bad guy." In the end the resolution, though expected, is powerful and moving and yet subtle.