John Martin Bradley

I loved this film. It is a hidden gem. The acting is of such that I could imagine the characters as real people, to me they were real people. The story is simple, but real and raw. I loved the naughtiness and unrestrained emotions, both good and bad, of lust and love and hate, of the central character Faan. And the essential "goodness" of most of the characters. Even the drug addict doctor. I am reminded of the mass addiction to pain killers after the Second World War - let us not forget that after major conflicts like WWII (even going back to the American Civil War) there were many people hooked on heroin (from using morphine as a painkiller) and the film does not shrink from this. And, in spite of my rabid atheistic tendencies, I have great affection and respect for the Domini (local priest) who gently, and with great kindness, kept things in balance and exerted his common sense notions of right and wrong in the community in which he lived. There is greatness in this film. But now that I have built it up as a Hollywood Blockbuster, if that is what you are looking for, then I apologise, because that is not what this wonderful film is about. It is more real and honest than that. If you watch it with no expectations, or even low expectations, then I suspect you will come away with you senses filled. It will make you cry and make you smile. This film is a gem.