Water | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

Audience Reviews

Jerod S Water explores the religious aspect of being a widow in India. Following a young girl that is widowed at 7, a prostitute and older widows, it is beautifully shot and fits as a tragedy more than anything. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/20/23 Full Review Carol S Beautiful, done with grace and a softness. A story deserving of cinematic platforms! Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/04/23 Full Review dave s Set in 1938 India, when young Chuyia's husband dies, the eight-year-old, so as not to be a burden on her family or a source of shame, is sent to live in an ashram for widows. Over time, the beautiful Kalyani (Lisa Ray), takes Chuyia under her wing, serving as a mentor for the young girl. Deepa Mehta's Water effectively brings to light an immoral practice that has been employed for centuries. The film is beautifully shot on locations in Sri Lanka and features strong performances from both Ray and Sarala Kariyawasam as Chuyia. While the central story is compelling, the movie veers off an a romantic tangent midway through, which seems to lessen the overall impact and take attention away from the tragedy that is Chuyia's life. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Really powerful story overall, and I loved the dynamics between the female characters of different ages. Chuyia's character is great -- obviously dealing with a lot of horror in her life, but played in such a way that the survival and moments of joy and quickening interest stand out. The movie is at its best when it's refusing to be a tragedy and refusing a heroic happy ending, exploring the way these characters keep living after immense hardships.I could have done without the overwhelming, iconic version of Gandhi. The young, Brahmin law student who kind of serves as a stand-in for Gandhi's politics throughout the movie also kind of serves as a savior figure who doesn't have much nuance. These characters are relatively depoliticized, to the extent that they are presented as the only alternative to backwardness; the shining future of India. Comparatively, the women were sapped of agency when next to them. The imagery was overpowering and kind of choking: the train going into the future, while Shakuntala is looking back to the past. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member To know what was India in the past and the social reformation that took place during Gandhi's days. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member Inquiring among the problems for the lack of gender equity in India, this film is built here with sumptuousness, high descriptions, entertainment and subtlety to deal with sensitive issues, being a fascinating story parallel to the independence of this country carried out in a committed and effective way - as it had to be. 78/100 Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Water

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