Simply A Masterpiece

One of my all time favorites.

Highly Overrated But Still Good

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Film Review – English Vinglish.1. A mother of a teenage daughter (played by Sridevi) cannot speak English well. Her daughter hates to take her to school because her friend's mother can speak good English! She is reluctant to take her mother to school in parents-teachers meet lest her friends and teachers will come to know that she cannot speak good English …so basically is a ganwar (illiterate) female the daughter is ashamed to take around in public. The same daughter is OK with the fact that her mother is cooking and taking care of the home front – just that she should not get to meet her friends! Otherwise all other home- front requirements that a child needs from the mother is given to her and she is fine with it.2. Husband is working in an Advt. agency – speaks good English – yet married to her because he is an intelligent man who understands that the role of a wife has nothing to do with her knowledge of any particular language…any language for that matter – his priorities regarding wife-factor were clear cut! Bit of a belittling attitude towards his wife – he is fine with the fact that she is taking care of the home front plus even making some money on her own by selling 'kishmish-topped-laddus'!3. Son, who is barely 4 -5 years old is the only one who is a bit attached to his mother – because he was still very dependent on her for reaching potty-seat and eating food etc. Keeping the family personality on mind – very soon, even he would alienate from his mother because of her poor English speaking skills!4. By chance, Sridevi gets an opportunity to visit the US to attend her niece's wedding. She is surprised to see her own sister being so confident about staying in a foreign country all on her own! She was managing things quite well…to which her sister replies that her husband's ever encouraging nature was the reason of her confidence. This saddens Sridevi a bit because all that she got by being a good wife and mother was just the belittling attitudes of her family members – and that too for as vague and stupid a reason as not being able to converse in English with friends, kith and kin! 5. Sridevi then joins 'spoken English' and tries to improvise on her English speaking skills to surprise her family members!6. Last scene is so damn pathetic!! She tries to win the confidence and love of her family members by speaking in English…….oh! my - how humiliating is that! It's like a female can be a pure Bi*ch as far as nature or character is concerned – but she can get away with anything if and only if she can speak in English!This is pathetically yours,India!!

A delightful film that must be appreciated of its simplicity in delivering an important message.How important are the feelings of those, who do not know a language that we speak so much. Is it right to belittle those for they can be good in something else? Is it right to disrespect parents and feel embarrassed when they do not know English? More than anything else, this is the tale of a mother who is being deserted by her kids and husband for she does not know a language that they all speak. And she learns it to redeem her respect. I loved the way Sridevi carried herself and am so very happy seeing her back on the silver screen which she set ablaze many years ago with films like Chandni, Mr. India and Chaalbaaz to name a few. Sridevi is indeed the best part of this film, as she has a poise that subdues the flamboyance and the stardom of her and gets her into the character. So what I saw here was Shashi (Sridevi) more than Sridevi and that's great to begin my review with.If you loved a movie like PAA, then there are definite chances that you may love this too, coz it takes the simplicty from there and applies the same to a different story. I loved PAA, so I loved this one too. But even if you dislike PAA, try this and you may have a surprise then. The good thing of this movie is it's writing, take that scene in which Shashi gets a call from her daughter when she was looking for her scrapbook, and here it isShashi : "Maine use chupaya taaki main bhi na padh sakoo" Daughter :Padhna Aaye tab na" That is, "How can you read, when you don't know" The supporting cast has also done well from a French cook to a Pakistani guy, they all teamed up well, but it has it's share of not so likable or rather preachy moments like the teacher being gay. But I will give in to all that, coz it is done quietly and not making fuss. Be it the climax, it was done in a subdued manner and that is why it was beautiful for me.I love this film for its simplicity and for just one reason "SRIDEVI" all the other technical departments did their job superbly but "SRIDEVI" did something really beautiful. Even the way she walked on those streets was graceful. Also, a mention to music and Amit Trivedi has given beautiful music.Thanks Gauri and R Balki for giving SRIDEVI back to us with this. And thanks to SRIDEVI for doing this film. A 4/5 for this.

I have seen this movie numerous times till date but tonight while I was watching it again, I felt a sudden urge to write a bit about this movie.English Vinglish is one of the most original, priceless movies to have come along in the recent past.A very big salute to Gauri to have written such a script and for the way Sridevi acted in this film. I am spellbound every time I watch it. There are so many scenes, so many of them in which you will be amazed by Sridevi's expressions.Each and every time I watch it, I love it all the more. English Vinglish emotes numerous feelings: Its about the purest form of love- a mother has for her children. The way she hugs her kid, attends the PTA, does the michael jackson dance, cries on leaving her family back home while traveling to US. Its about fighting your inner fears. Its about respecting your mother and so much more.The entire cast of the movie was superb. Her family and the members in her English class, all were outstanding. Amit Trivedi's music was fantastic and complemented the movie perfectly. Some dialogues were quite impressive especially "When you don't like yourself, you tend to dislike everything connected to you. New things seem to be more attractive. When you learn to love yourself, then the same old life starts looking new, nice." That is what life is and couldn't have been put in better words.At the end the only thing I would like to say is that this movie is very close to my heart. Its one of the most refreshing movies you will ever come across and it will leave you with a big smile on your face. And lastly, she deserved the best actress award that year, every bit of it. I am not saying that others didn't deserve, but Sridevi's performance was at par with the rest. Till date whenever I watch this movie I feel extremely disappointed for her not receiving the best actress award for English Vinglish.

The director did a great job at making you feel a part of the group trying to learn English. This movie really teaches you a great deal about the importance of respect. It will make you happy at times and sad the next, but most of all it will at least make you empathize with others struggles especially as we realize each others differences. I loved all the characters in the movie and they all play their parts really well, but Sridevi steals the screen and her talent for acting really shows through. The plot is excellent as she decides to learn English and goes about reaching that goal. There will be tears of sadness, but also tears of joy. Bravo and a great movie to watch. Highly recommended.