English Vinglish Review

Th introductory scene shows Shashi(Sridevi) engaged in household chores just like any busy mother who has her to send her children off to school and pack lunch for her husband. But Shashi has another identity. She makes scrumptious Laddoos and sells them. The West tags her an entrepreneur, but her husband and daughter finds her business embarrassing. While Shashi is kearned enough to teach proper English words to a servant. WHat embarrasses her family is her inability to speak it fluently and confidently. Shashi, herself is a woman who knows who can make it but lacks the spur to take an attempt.

The humiliation at home,airport and at the Cafeteria in Manhattan finally provides the fuel which makes her promptly join spoken English classes. The metamorphosis of Shashi from the shy housewife in a cocoon to the brilliant butterfly who delivers an inspiring speech at the wedding with elan. The journey of Shashi and the people involved adds a variety of colors to the narrative. The global village within the classroom, the ability to interact without the mechanism of a common language and the casual reference to homosexuality breaks many stereotypes- unforeseen in Indian cinema.But the message which rings loud and clear is the one regarding the status of housewives in Indian society. They are taken for granted and their herculean tasks of raising children,and managing the household single-handedly are overlooked just because they are not tech-savvy or fluent in colloquial English. That the flaw is generated because of refusing them the opportunity to thrive, is never paid heed to by the patriarchal sections. This concept is questioned and clearly shown what a woman can achieve when the doors are opened to her.

Sridevi as Shashi is brilliant. This is probably the best second-innings attempted by any Indian actress. The supporting cast is also adept in their roles.

The camera work is mainly perfectly exploited in capturing the cityscape of Manhattan. Music by Amit Trivedi captures the ethos of the film and retains the Indian flavor while evenly utilizing western instruments and English lyrics.