India Sweets and Spices

source: India Sweets and Spices

Home from college, Alia (Sophia Ali), returns to her family's swank suburban New Jersey home. Smitten by Varun (Rish Shah), the handsome son of the new owners of the local Indian grocery, she invites his family to a dinner gathering with her parents' wealthy friends. Snobbery ensues but Alia is surprised to learn of her conservative mother's radical past with Varun's mother. But there are more secrets still, turning on the idea of women's place in Indian society and also on the custom of arranged marriage. This is a smart, modern film with sharp dialogue exploring both universal themes including hypocrisy and those relating to Indian culture. The soundtrack is excellent too, including modern music. It's about family, truth-telling and hopes of reconciliation. Writer and director Geeta Malik is a powerful artist and her star, Sophia Ali is a dominating and compelling presence, creating a charismatic character. Wise, lovely, original with a stunning lead performance, India Sweets and Spices is outstanding storytelling.

I came into this movie expecting another Bollywood mishmash of action/drama/comedy/romance. What I found with something original and different. The movie revealed the dark side of Indian culture with its gossip and rumormongering. Being of Indian descent, I know this is a reality although the movie obviously amplified it for entertainment purposes. The movie was entertaining but like lacked a little depth and made a few plot decisions which didn't make much sense. Overall, it could've been fantastic but ended up being a sweet, not too spicy, and fun watch.

It would be hard not to enjoy any film that features Sophia Ali. However, beauty aside, this film has substance. Outstanding performances by the entire cast and a dramatic, compelling portrayal of American-Indian communities to which everybody can relate, regardless of our family origin or dynamic. There were some really great lines in this film. My favorite "Our families are full of surprises? Our families are full of SH$T". I laughed out loud on my flight when she said that. Great visuals.

Having lived in India for a few years I am familiar with Indian culture, but am unfamiliar with the Indian American culture. The casting in INDIA Sweets and Spices is spot on. I know different real life versions of several of the characters in the family. I also felt inspired to be truer to myself and the ideals and dreams I remember from my University days. The challenges in bridging the gaps between what we present to others as our image and the true self within are well illustrated and I also thought the movie ended well, with the decisions that need to be made in flux.

A family drama with all the sweet and spicy ingredients. Should have fared better in any of the Indian languages. The whole thing looked like fish out of water. The script somehow failed to adapt to the English set up.

Likeable and funny. Portrayal of the Indian community hits close to home. Some of the characters are people I know or have seen in social gatherings. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Boringly typical Bollywood showcasing wealth, status, bragging, romance, social hierarchy - poor vs. Rich, parties, costumes, and make-up. Usual film production corporate sponsorship with product placement.

This film reminds me of "Crazy Rich Asians". The storyline is okay, wasn't that interesting. The acting is definitely so-so. But I am very impressed with how gorgeous the Indian costumes. The costume department absolutely did a great job!!

This movie provides a perfect look into the Indian marital system and how women make sacrifices for culture over their hearts. A charming transition from a patriarchal society into the modern world of how young Indian women navigate society while keeping true to their culture yet spurning the patriarchy that has held women down for centuries. What a refreshing view on the evolution of feminism in Indian culture.