Trishna

IFC Films | Release Date: July 13, 2012

6.7	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Ratings

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winthorp3rdDec 15, 2012

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dullsville. Freida Pinto is striking as always, and the cinematography is compelling, but the story line, supposedly based on the Hardy work, is confused and shallow. The movie is just a patchwork of loosely connected 1-minute scenes with little continuity or storytelling. There is minimal character development - something that Ms. Pinto definitely needs because of her withdrawn nature. The players are injected fully formed with no backstory or history to help us appreciate who they are. Even Ms. Pinto's interactions with her family are insipid. We're left to wonder why her character attaches to the male lead, following him from town to town for no apparent reason other than to make a few bucks to send back to her family. The sexual attraction, and ensuing scenes, are contrived and colorless. Ultimately we can't understand her rage leading to the murder she commits, or her subsequent suicide.… Expand

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jgzegerDec 4, 2018

There is some very good cinematography in this film and it gives the viewer a real feeling what it is like to live in modern day India. Regarding the story and the acting, I was less enthused. Still I think it's worth one's while.

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DawdlingPoetNov 26, 2021

This is a drama film which features themes including culture, tradition and ambitions. I found it a rather sobering and thought provoking watch. At the start, the plot pace was quite slow and it seemed a little rambling perhaps but I becameThis is a drama film which features themes including culture, tradition and ambitions. I found it a rather sobering and thought provoking watch. At the start, the plot pace was quite slow and it seemed a little rambling perhaps but I became more interested after the main character, Trishna, leaves to take up employment in Jaipur. However, its made quite clear from early on that there's a definite culture clash present (more on that later). I've always been curious about different world cultures - I find it fascinating to learn how people in other parts of the world live, the rules they give themselves etc. it is certainly food for thought in this film, although its more a drama than a documentary per se. I liked the characterisation and respected Trishna for how she put her trust in Jay from quite early on. Also, I liked the cinematography, with some lovely shots of India bringing the vivid colour of the country really to life!.

I noticed the music, with a few pieces of sometimes light sounding classical music played, plus more what I imagine to be typical Indian folk style music and some piano based tunes. These, I felt, were well picked accompanying the lush landscapes shown at the time. I thought it was quite an atmospheric and engrossing watch due to this.

Cast wise, Trishna is played by Freida Pinto. She does well in her role, coming across as quite reserved and reluctant and yet also polite and thankful for the opportunities which come her way and fiercely keen to support her family. I suppose she could be thought of as a bit of a role model in a way. She looks very pretty on screen too. Meanwhile, Jay is played by Riz Ahmed. He appears somewhat unassuming but also acts honorably and I did feel that the two of them played their roles well, seeming quite authentic in their depiction of their characters. Other cast members include Neet Mohan as Sandeep and Roshan Seth as Mr. Singh.

You might think that this film would be primarily in foreign language(s) but this isn't entirely true. Yes, there are regular scenes featuring Hindi (and also Panjabi and Rajasthani according to IMDB), which are, of course, accompanied by subtitles on screen for anyone (like me) who isn't familiar with those languages but I was surprised by how much of the dialogue is in English - with Jay, his relatives and friends speaking English throughout.

Content wise, the film contains some sex scenes which may well disturb people (as violence is involved), as well as other instances of violence and there is blood shown on screen, incase your squeamish about that. There's surprisingly little in the way of strong language, other than a few profanities and some religious slurs. Characters are shown smoking and intoxicated but otherwise there's little else likely to greatly offend or upset people. The film has been given a 15 rating due to this.

I'd say that if your hoping for a fast paced action style drama film, then this may well bore you a bit much. It is somewhat slow, plot pace wise but it does well in terms of setting a tone and making the viewer imagine themselves in the situation the characters are in, giving glimpses as to what its like for women in India. I thought it was very tastefully and respectfully made but I wouldn't say its necessarily a film that will appeal to an especially wide/mass market as such.

Yes I would recommend this film as I felt it was well made, its thought provoking, with good music and cinematography, plus a good cast, so I'd recommend it on that basis.… Expand

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