Product Details

• Actors: Cara Buono, Nick Chinlund, Saylor Creswell, Eliza Foss, Jill Hennessy
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Wolfe Video
• VHS Release Date: June 11, 2002
• Run Time: 92 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005KJP0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,031 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Startlingly Sensitive and Funny, November 27, 2001

By 

David Kleist - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chutney Popcorn [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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!

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just that much more spice..., July 3, 2001

By 

Gautam Thatte (Claremont, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chutney Popcorn [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Chutney Popcorn is simply a delight!, April 10, 2002

By 

S. Stinson "book lover" (Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chutney Popcorn (DVD)

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