Negative Positive
Title: Breaking Taboos
Review: In India, where it is set, Fire, Deepa Mehta's first installment in the infamous trilogy Fire, Earth and Water, caused riots when it was presented to the public. Some cinemas that dared to offer it were, ironically, set on fire. The subject of lesbianism is taboo among Hindus, who as one of the characters reveals, have no equivalent word in their vocabulary.In spite of the controversy, Mehta's treatment in large part, is subtle, tender and evocative. Though the males, particularly Jatin, are somewhat predictable and typical, the female leads, Radha and Sita, are believable and sympathetic. Mehta makes effective use of Hindu mythology as metaphor, and the film resonates simply through its handling of colour.
Is the review positive or negative? 