THE MYSTIC MASSEUR
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2002 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): **
THE MYSTIC MASSEUR, full of cartoonish characters and clichéd dialog, is long and lame. Director Ismail Merchant, a famous producer, has had little success as a director. His last picture was the disappointing COTTON MARY, which isn't much better than THE MYSTIC MASSEUR.
Being a Merchant Ivory production, the movie, set in Trinidad in the 1940s and 1950s, is a handsome picture shot by cinematographer Ernest Vincze, which is good since there is little else to recommend it.
Based on a V.S. Naipaul novel, the story concerns Ganesh (Aasif Mandvi), a man known as the "mystic masseur." A combination witch doctor and counselor who does little or no actual massaging, Ganesh takes up his father's trade in order make the money he needs to fund his dream of making books. His wife Leela's (Ayesha Dharker) ambition is to make babies. Both move beyond their initial goals. He changes from helpful charlatan to populist politician, and she goes from would-be mother to the thankless role of politician's wife.
Two older actors are onboard, overacting with a vengeance. Om Puri tries to be oh-so-cute as Leela's father. A disheveled James Fox appears to have walked on the set by mistake. The movie he appears to acting in is one about older hippies who think it's still the summer of love.
Good luck on staying awake.
THE MYSTIC MASSEUR runs 1:59. It is rated PG for "mild language" and would be acceptable for all ages.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, May 24, 2002. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the Camera Cinemas.
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