Basmati Blues Review

Would you like to see a Bollywood inspired musical romantic-comedy? Look no further than Basmati Blues.

Linda is a scientist who created a genetically modified rice with her scientist father. She is sent to India by her CEO to persuade the farmers to purchase this rice.  Unknown to her, the farmers will need to buy this seed yearly, which they cannot afford and will ruin their livelihood. She meets William, an ambitious bureaucrat whose mother decides they are the perfect match. She also meets Rajit, a farmer with academic yearnings, and who causes issues as he tries to find ways to protect the farmers. As a battle brews between corporate greed and community, Linda will have to make a choice. Love may also come knocking at the door.

Brie Larson stars as Linda. You may be asking why Larson signed up for such a film? Well, she signed onto it in 2013 after Jump Street at a time when she was taking on supportive roles, before she starred in Room, the film that would lead her to her Oscar win. The film failed to make it to the big screen has languished on the shelf until being picked up by Shout! Studios in November 2017.

Saahil Sehgal and Utkarsh Ambudkar (Pitch Perfect, The Mindy Project) play Linda’s two love interests. Donald Sutherland (The Hunger Games) is as always wonderfully villainous as the CEO determined to act “for the greater good”. Danny Baron directed and wrote the screen play, along with Jeffrey Dorchen.

Basmati Blues is a homage to Indian Bollywood cinema. The colours of India shine through in vibrant, primary coloured costumes. Original songs are performed by global artists such as Pearl Jam, Sugarland, Goldspot, Dave Baerwald, country-singer Kristian Bush and Indian musician Sonu Nigam, to name a few. The cast, which also stars Scott Bakula and Tyne Daly in supporting roles, perform their own songs. Donald Sutherland’s villain song is quite fun. Two days after watching the film I still have the lyrics to ‘Love Don’t Knock at My Door’ by The Shyboys in my head. In line with the homage to Bollywood, there is no course language or scenes of a sexual nature making it a refreshing change and appropriate for young and old alike.

The film seems to promote stereotypes and simplistic notions of India and its people. It also seems to promote that a white protagonist can ‘save’ a non-white culture, which can be considered culturally insensitive. Indeed, when the first trailer was released in November, the filmmakers had to issue an apology over this. The filmmakers stated: “This movie is not about an American going abroad to solve India’s problems. At its heart, this film is about two people who reach across cultures, fight against corporate greed, and find love.”

Using music, comedy and romance, the film explores our responsibilities to ourselves and others, and how our actions can impact on individuals, families and communities. Overall, a light-hearted, uplifting, easy-watching film.

Run time is 106 minutes

Basmati Blue is available for Digital Download from 12th February and can be bought here: itunes.apple.com/gb/movie/basmati-blues/id1331560424?at=1001lnNr