Hideous Kinky Reviews

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this flick but since I always had a weak spot for Kate Winslet, I was really eager to check this flick. Indeed, she is an amazing actress, easily one of the best at work nowadays and I try to watch all her movies whenever I get the opportunity. She did this flick just after ‘Titanic’ and it is probably one of the most obscure movies she has made so far. As usual, Winslet was pretty good in there and the movie was rather well made but, unfortunately, the story was not really strong. Basically, it is one of those typical stories about the clueless woman who is trying to find something meaningful so she goes to some exotic country but, of course, she doesn’t find any answers. Honestly, it was hardly original, really predictable and bordeline annoying at some point. It is interesting to point out that that her following feature, ‘Holy Smoke’ directed by Jane Campion, was also another obscure feature and it had actually a rather similar plot but I thought it was actually much better. Anyway, to conclude, in spite of it flaws, it is far from being a bad movie and if you're a Kate Winslet fan, it is definitely worth a look.

I have always idolised this film. I watched it as a child with jealousy, desperately wishing I was one of Kate Winslet’s children in the tale. The film follows them growing up in exotic India, experiencing everyday adventures and encountering mysterious people at every turn. I think it fuelled my young ideals of a happy life far away and my early love of Kate Winslet.

The film is narrated by the youngest daughter of a young mother, who estranged from her husband is unhappy with the grind of her life in England. She simply scraps together her savings, up-sticks and decides to relocate in India. The film is colourful and beautiful depicting the contrast of childhood innocence and naivety against that of their mother as they explore and become accustomed to a strange new land.

The originality of this film comes from the narrative and viewpoint of the daughters who are far more level headed and realistic than their flighty romanticised mother. They begrudgingly follow their mother around disliking their Nomadic lifestyle and craving stability and some consistency in their lives.

The film offers an interesting insight into family relations and growing up, as a young woman tries to provide a better life for her children according to her own desires. She instead becomes faced with the reality and irresponsibility of her actions.
Still, it’s a childhood I remain convinced I would have revelled in and loved every moment of.