Customer Reviews

Chutney Popcorn

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

For unknown reasons, I could hear in my head the vindictive (and hopefully fictional!) voice of a fundamentalist preacher condemning the "unnatural acts of sinful love" of this film's main characters.

In actuality, this is a movie about the true meanings in contemporary America of "love," "family," and "culture," and it grapples admirably with the changing social and personal-relationship patterns brought about by modern notions of democracy and freedom. Lisa and Reena are truly in love, and their families truly love them as well; but how are all these individuals to deal with Reena's choice to carry to term the baby she is producing through artificial insemination (using her brother-in-law's sperm)? Reena's sister has decided that she no longer WANTS a baby (she herself, biologically, cannot provide the egg for the child-to-be); however, Reena has decided SHE wants the baby, while Reena's female lover doesn't wish to become part of a "traditional" nuclear family.

The moral dilemmas here are both comic and real, absurd yet earnest, and the film explores all sides of its issues with grace and poise and humor. I'm astonished at the clever blocking of the film (such clever tricks for a low-budget effort!), such as when Reena is shown in half-profile before a mirror, or when Lisa falls off the sofa. This is a highly satisfying piece of cinema which I discovered purely by accident among the sale tapes at my local Blockbuster.

I look forward to more films by this original, brave, and highly intelligent director. CHUTNEY POPCORN reminds me of WHATEVER in its sensitive telling of a young woman's story in a complex world bearing no resemblance to anything which has come before in human history.

Bravo!

In the stereotypical Indian mother who refuses to accept the fact that her daughter is a lesbian and continues to refer to her daughter's lover (Jill Hennessey delivering an excellent performance!) as her 'college roommate,' "Chutney Popcorn" finds a touch of humor, stark reality and soul. Reena (Nisha Ganatra directing herself) is a photographer with a penchant for temporary mehndi tattoos, lives with Lisa whom she loves dearly, has a newly wed sister, and is plunged into a situation she quickly loses control over.

What is particularly brilliant about this film is the evolution of characters as the movie progresses, exquisitely offset by the humdrum of life, given how the developing plot is always inadvertently eavesdropped on by the neighborhood paan-seller. The film deals with some serious issues without ever becoming a discourse on values and morals; "Chutney Popcorn" never looses touch of the obvious reality and the subtle innate humor of the situation; a truly exceptional, and beautiful film.

Nisha Ganatra's new film, "Chutney Popcorn," is a delightful mix of culture clashes, sibling rivalry, and good, old-fashioned dyke drama played out in modern day New York. Multi-talented Ganatra (writer, producer and director) stars as "Reena," very much the black sheep of the family, not only due to her vocation (she's a photographer), but also because of her lesbianism. Her newlywed sibling, Sarita, played by Sakina Jeffrey), finds out she is infertile and that's when the games begin!

Entangled in the fertility games is Reena's commitment-phobic girlfriend, Lisa (Crossing Jordan's Jill Hennessy), Sarita's husband, Mitch, and the girls' mother, an ever-meddlesome, traditional Indian woman. Momma is horrified when Reena decides to step up to the plate and offer herself as a surrogate for Mitch's sperm, Lisa feels the commitment rope tightening around her throat at the announcement, and Sarita begins to have second doubts about the baby.

The ensuing tale is a delight as Reena and Lisa begin the "turkey baster" ritual, and the cast of characters decide to share their infinite wisdom regarding a dyke bringing a child into the world. Scene after scene is filled with belly laughs, especially after one poignant "turkey baster" moment between Reena and Lisa.

Of course, any lesbian movie worth its salt must have a few moments of dyke drama, and "Chutney Popcorn" doesn't disappoint. It's only a matter of time before Sarita really has a problem with her dyke sister giving birth to her husband's child, and Lisa feels the burden of a baby is entirely too much for her. Add in pressure from Momma to "get a husband," backlash from her politically-correct dyke friends and her own journey of self-awareness as the baby grows, and you have a melting pot of emotion, laughter and tears.

"Chutney Popcorn" not only brings a good laugh, but it also opens our eyes to dilemmas that lesbians face everyday in regards to vocation choices, relationship decisions, and familial dynamics. You'll leave the film with a smile on your face, and thoughts to ponder. Ganatra has hit a home run with this one.

-OutLook Press

Just saw the movie yesterday with some girlfriends - and I thought it was pretty good. Let's face it; as far as lesbian movies are concerned, there aren't many Oscar contenders out there, and I'm willing to take a pretty good movie when one comes along. This one was a pretty good movie!
So a few scenes are choppy, the audio is a bit rough in places, and the soundtrack is typical lesbian coffee house/bookstore acoustic guitar... it's an Indie, not a blockbuster. All in all it's not bad at all if you're just looking for pleasing cinema. If you're looking for Camille, keep looking.
Kudos to the filmmaker for following through with it! Bravo!'
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.
The black & white images of women wearing mendhi were beautiful, as were all the scenes depicting the careful applications of mendhi... how sensual is that? Please! I loved it! Watching her decorate her lover was very sexy. The two leads were great, and played off of each other well, and the mother & sister were fantastic - and are actually mother and daughter in real life.
The dialogue left a little to be desired, but there's some law written somewhere that dialogue in lesbian movies HAS to be horrible, so it wasn't a huge disappointment.
If you liked Rose Troche's "Go Fish" you'll love this movie.

Chutney Popcorn is a pleasant, interesting movie with a good storyline. In the review "Terrible movie in every way!" the reviewer disliked the movie because they thought it was "white-washed". My girlfriend is Indian-British and her closest friends are "white", and the majority of them are not Hindu. I found the movie very plausable, and I've heard Ganatra's work is somewhat autobiographical. One doesn't have to be Indian to enjoy "Fire", or a herion addict to enjoy "High Art". Movies aren't good or bad depending on whether the viewer relates to them. This is overall a good movie, and I would recommend it to anyone.

This is a decent directorial effort by Nisha Ganatra, in this film about families, lesbian lovers, and cultural divides. This film is her first feature film and it shows in its somewhat amateurish constructs. Still, there are some flashes of promise.

Reena (Nisha Ganatra), an artist of Indian descent, and Lisa (Jill Hennessey of Law and Order and Crossing Jordan fame) are lovers, despite the fact that Reena's tradition bound Indian mother is in total denial. She is still trying to match Reena up with a member of the opposite sex, refusing to acknowledge Lisa as anything other than Reena's roommate.

When Sarita (Sakina Jeffrey), Reena's older sister gets married, she soon discovers that she is infertile. Reena offers to be a surrogate mom, and Sarita initially agrees. After some failed attempts through a fertility clinic, Reena, with the cooperation of Sarita's husband, Mitch, decides to get pregnant the old fashioned way, at home by using a turkey baster. She succeeds where the specialists failed.

Unfortunately, this causes problems with her relationship with Lisa, who is initially unable to come to terms with Reena's pregnancy and what it will mean to their relationship. Sarita is also having difficulty, changing her mind when it is too late to turn back. She sees it as a reminder of her own failing and questions the impact that it will have on her life and marriage. Reena's and Sarita's mother, however, grasps the irony of the situation, and eventually comes to terms with it, as well as with the nature of Reena's and Lisa's relationship.

Nisha Ganatra should have concentrated on just directing this film, rather than acting in it, as she is no actress and is the weak link in the cast. Moreover, there appears to be little chemistry between her and Jill Hennessey, which does not help the film. There are, however, some very funny moments in this moderately entertaining film, having mostly to do with the character of the mother.

As a director Ms. Ganatra displays some promise. It is hoped that in the future she will concentrate on where her talents seem to lie.

This movie is so funny that i believe it is enjoyable to both gay and straight audiences. I'm in the catagory of the straight audience and i loved it! The thing about this film that i like the most is how they show the lesbians lives and loves not being outrageous as they are shown in other films. It's more of a realistic view of any average couple out there today. I also like how the main focus is moved over to the baby issue. The funniest parts are when the indian traditions go amuck(especially the umbrella scene) This movie is sugar and spice, and everything nice, a little drama, comedy and lots of fun, Highly recomended!!!!

For those who only lasted five minutes into the film, you missed out. This isn't solely an in-your-face 'issue' film about Indian culture, lesbianism or family politics. It is excellent entertainment with guts to go off-road, something I think is being left in the dust these days for films that fit nicely into the genre' slots. I'm no expert on film making, I only know what I like and I liked Chutney Popcorn. It has some frailties the special effects gurus will find comment on, but it is so well done in what it is - almost a 'day in the life of' quality. This is a slice of life, and a refreshing one, too. At the end I had the feeling of an "ah ha" moment on what the true point of this picture was for me, and it was an undercurrent that took the entire film to mature and show itself. I challenge the one-star raters to see it again and try and catch this very satisfying sublety (just like the street vendor in the film!), or maybe they just need their dose of Swartzenagger or Roberts pap... Thank goodness for independent films and thanks Chutney Popcorn for a great couple of hours!

There is a reason this film has won so many film festival awards. It's
really good. Really, really good.

"Chutney Popcorn" intertwines a beautiful, cute, and funny story with the
important issues of family homophobia, immigrant parents with Americanized
children, interracial, interfaith queer relationships, and surrogate
parenting, all while brilliantly portraying a dyke community of the
late-1990s. Really, it's an amazing story.

Reena (Nisha Ganatra, also director) is a young Indian dyke in love with
the charming and gorgeous Lisa (Jill Hennessy). Riding around on their
motorcycle and living and socializing with a fun group of dykes, Lisa and
Reena have a pretty fabulous relationship, aside from a few issues.
Reena's mother refuses to come to terms with her daughter's queer identity
(handled with some priceless humor) or her Americanization; Lisa's mother,
on the other hand, is an over-the-top-dyke-loving mother. Then, to make
matters a bit more confusing, and the film all-the-better, Reena begins
thinking about being a surrogate mother for her newly-wed sister. Not only
does Reena's mother hate the idea, but her girlfriend, Lisa, has trouble
figuring out why exactly she doesn't support the idea either.

Brilliantly taking on a story of clashing cultures (queer/straight,
Indian/American, young/old, various family members and ideals), "Chutney
Popcorn" is a funny, beautiful must-see. The acting is great, the
production superb, the issues immaculately poignant. Seriously, well-done.
Five stars.

This is an excellent film, I first saw this movie back in June 2001, I don't know how many times I have watched it since, but from the very first time I saw Nisha I thought-Wow what a beautiful woman! The movie was and is outstanding. The other Actresses and Actors were good, too. The storyline was something positive to think about. Reminded me of my younger days, bringing out many emotions, in other words it touched me like hardly any movie has. Nisha is magic. Am looking forward to many more of her creations. This woman has it going on. I am very happy to have gotten the chance to see this movie, then own it, on VHS and DVD.