Beautiful Katie

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.


8/10