Earth

Who among the reviewers did you agree with more and why?

In his review Zarminae Ansari writes that “the movie will undoubtedly offend both sides, since it spares neither, nor holds one as morally superior to the other.” Apparently C.J.S Wallia is one of those offended by the movie.

I believe that Wallia’s criticism that the film is “simplistic” misses one of the points of the movie. If the events surrounding the partition of India were difficult for the decision making adults of every caste, religion and ethnicity to grasp, then they must have been incomprehensible for a young girl. Earth is “story of a child’s confusion about the partition, which embodies the confusion of the millions who are eventually affected by it.” (Zarminae Ansari)
Deepa Mehta has taken a moment in history that encompasses very complex of issues, such as religious, ethnic and nationalistic allegiances, and tries to illustrate the challenges that faced the newly independent India. Without simplifying to some degree, telling this story would be impossible.

Both reviews accept the concept that the Ice-Candy Man as a scorned lover wants to exact revenge on is rival as well as Shanta, but this depiction ignores the role the escalating violence and the murder of his family played in his evolution from a carefree rogue to lethal enemy. The convergence of events created an opportunity for everyone to choose how they would react – The Ice-Candy Man chose extremism and violence.

Wallia also condemns the movie for poorly developed characters and distorting the historical role played by the British, Muslim, Hindus and, in particular the Sikhs. While the film did perhaps present the characters in generalized terms it did portray each group as the majority would have reacted. There are exceptions in every instance, not all Muslims were radical and violent and not all Sikhs were fanatics.I believe that the movie gave the viewer a rounded picture of the major factions as well as showing that not everyone split directly on religious or ethnic lines.