Film English Vinglish Review:
Cast: Sridevi, Adil Hussain, Mehdi Nebbou, Priya Anand
Director: Gauri Shinde
After a gap of 15 years, Sridevi has returned to do a significant role in 'English Vinglish' and post watching the movie; I have just one word for the actress - unblemished!
Gauri Shinde has donned the director's hat to tell the story of Sashi (Sridevi), a middle-aged Maharashtrian housewife who earns her own money by making sumptuous ladoos (which happens to be her passion too) and selling them to the connoisseurs. A lot of women would identify with Sashi since she is one of those devoted yet taken-for-granted homemakers who are ridiculed for their poor linguistic skills by their English speaking family. In the film, Sashi finds herself being an object of constant potshots by her husband (Adil Hussain), who has little respect for her actual talent and her 7th grade daughter who feels ashamed to even introduce her mother to her school folks.
So when an underestimated and belittled Sashi flies off to New York to lend a helping hand at her niece's marriage, she smartly grabs the chance to enroll herself into English speaking classes that promise to teach the language within a period of flat four weeks. In no time, Sashi becomes the most devoted student in her class, starts watching English movies at night and doing her homework consistently- all to polish her English reading and writing skills and more importantly to earn respect that she duly deserves from her family. In the middle of her literary pursuit, she also finds her classmate cum friend – a Frenchman (an appealing Mehdi Nebbou) getting attracted to her plain simple persona. Yet, despite several barriers that come her way, Sashi manages to achieve her goal (that includes ordering her meal at the café with super confidence) which could be an inspiration to many aspiring English learners.
Going ahead of the 'ordinary' story of 'English Vinglish', it is a film that teaches a lot of life lessons. First, it gives a peek into the feelings of those who are not good at reading and writing the language and find themselves becoming a subject of disdain and taunt whether at home or in public. Second, it is a crash course on mannerisms for all those 'refined' husbands and children out there who believe that the woman of the house is only worth taking gibberish; In spite of the fact that she goes out of her way to please them, without a complaint. Third, like I said before, the movie is all about dedication towards one's aims and a relentless pursuit towards your dream, come what may.
Sridevi as the de-glam Sashi looks fully stunning and gets very much into the skin of her character in the movie. The way she emotes when she is looked down upon for her poor angrezi is worthy of a good round of applause. It is safe to say that after 'Sadma', Chaalbaaz' and 'Chandni', she will always be remembered for her all-around act in 'English Vinglish'. Clearly, this film is one of her best works till date.
Moving on to film's direction, regard to Gauri Shinde for narrating a story which leaves such an impact on the viewers. Also, a special thanks to her (she has also written the story) for making a movie on such a unique storyline which apparently has a close connection to the life of Shinde's mother and perhaps, many other Indian women out there.
Amit Trivedi has given cool and foot tapping music to the movie while designer Sabyasachi has done his job very well in dressing up Sridevi in colorful khadi sarees that suit her age and role.
On the whole, 'English Vinglish' is an absolute family entertainer and worth to watch it.
