(1996)
2.5
Andrea LeVasseur
While Fire did cause a controversy in India for its sexually transgressive subject matter, it is more of a subdued family melodrama than the erotic drama suggested by its title. This love story set in New Delhi is the first of a trilogy from Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta titled Fire, Earth, and Water. Much of the drama is a result of conflicts between the traditional Hindu family structure, represented by the bedridden Biji (Kushal Rekhi), and the influences of the West. Mehta effectively places the action in these political terms, even making the simple act of wearing pants seem like a rebellion. Combining elements of memory flashbacks and folktale reenactments, the narrative really necessitates the union of Sita (Nandita Das) and Radha (Bollywood film star Shabana Azmi). They are the only two caring individuals in a household of men who are either celibate, faithless, or abusive. The two neglected women have a growing friendship that is portrayed with naturalistic compassion in very darkly lit scenes, hardly steamy enough to warrant the extreme reactions it elicited upon release. However, it is understandable that fundamentalists had such a reaction to this film because there isn't even a word for lesbian in the Hindi language. Though the ending is a bit obvious and at times it falls into soap opera territory, Fire is still a controversial stepping stone in the powerful Indian film industry.
Fire on AllMovie
Fire (1996)
