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The Mystic Masseur
Stars:
Om Puri, James Fox, Aasif Mandvi, Sanjeev Shaskar, Ayesha Dharker, Jimi Mistry,
Zohra Segal, and Sakina Jaffrey
Writer:
Caryl Phillips
Based
On The Novel By Nobel Prize Winner V.S. Naipaul
Director:
Ismail Merchant
Feature
length: 118 minutes
Extras:
Trailers
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Surround Sound
Subtitles
English Closed Captions
Packaging:
Amaray Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 20
Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Surround Sound
Year
of DVD Release: 2003
Home
Video Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: PG
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
Filmmakers
James Ivory and Ismail Merchant’s cinematic adaptation of V.S. Naipaul’s
Nobel Prize Winning novel “The Mystic Masseur” is a beautiful fable that
combines a mix of human drama and light humor as we watch Ganesh (Aasif Mandvi)
on his journey to self contentment. Ganesh returns from Oxford a learned man
with a goal to enlighten others and better his predominantly Hindu community in
1950s’ Trinidad. His father has passed on leaving Ganesh with the gift of
spiritual healing, but Ganesh wants to be a Writer so he first tries to be a
teacher because most aspiring writers teach because of the hours the job gives
them, but he is discouraged by the way the students respond to his attempts to
get them to read. The fact is that no one reads very much and the fact that
Ganesh reads books at a rate of at least a book a day seems odd to some. Taking
a wife at the advice of his only surviving relative, his aunt, Ganesh nearly
loses his wife through his disciplined self-imposed solitude and writes his
first book. Then to make money he adapts his father’s trade as “The Mystic
Masseur” and becomes renowned healer, adviser, arbitrator, and man of the
people. In between he continues to write books on spirituality and soon becomes
enough of a public figure to be seduced into a life of politics as a figurehead
for the British Government. Unhappy with the path he has chosen, Ganesh learns a
life lesson he never expected about what is truly important in life.
This
film slipped completely under my radar because despite the praise from major
American press, I do not recall ever seeing an advertisement for “The Mystic
Masseur,” which is a shame because I think it is one of the best and most
charming Merchant Ivory productions to be released in years. To compare it to
some of their better known films like “The Remains Of The Day” or
“Howard’s End” is unfair because this feels more like a personal film and
perhaps more accessible for general audiences than many of their other films if
they give it a chance. When I first saw the cover of the DVD I was expecting
something different, but was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was I
completely engrossed in the story, but that as odd as the cover might appear, it
is perfect because it is like some of the images one might see of a Hindu saint
or Guru when they go for Shaktipat initiation or a public program.
Now
Ganesh is never portrayed as a man who is enlightened or who claims to be a
guru, but he seems to come from a powerful family lineage with a gift for
helping others, but the portrayal of his gift is never presented as being
something magical though the definition of magic for some could be highly
subjective. What is important is to see how one person can inspire another and
how when one finds their path in life they discover harmony. The entire cast is
excellent, but there are two standout performances in the film by Om Puri and a
very important cameo by James Fox, who ironically serves as the spiritual guide
for Ganesh in the film.
“The
Mystic Masseur” is presented in an anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) aspect ratio
with a choice of English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Surround
Sound with optional English Closed Captions for the hearing impaired. The film
is encoded on to a dual layered disc with a rich and vibrant picture quality and
only a few scenes revealing any sort of grain that appears to be the intended
style of the way the film was shot or the source material used. I do not think
it was the authoring. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack is
clear, but a bit low. The track is discrete, but some elements seem just a
little lower than normal, like the subtle score.
Bonus
trailers for “Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India” (2:20) and “Secret
Ballot” (1:29) wrap up the features on this DVD. Definitely worth viewing,
“The Mystic Masseur” will debut on DVD-Video On Tuesday, February 25, 2003
from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.
©
Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.