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Chutney Popcorn (1999)
Released By: Wolfe Video   Rating: R   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Wolfe Video
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Nisha Ganatra
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Sakina Jaffrey, Nisha Ganatra, Jill Hennessy
Published ID: 908077
UPC: 754703761705,
Plot: The push and pull of familial bonds and clashing cultures sets the stage for the comic drama Chutney Popcorn. Renna (Nisha Ganatra) is a young woman of Indian descent living in New York, where she works as both a photographer and a body artist who creates henna tattoos. Renna is also a lesbian, which does not please her mother, Meenu (Madhur Jaffrey), who prefers to dote on her more traditionally minded (and happily married) daughter Sarita (Sakina Jeffrey). One day, Renna gets some bad news from Sarita: While she and her husband have been trying to have a baby, her doctor has informed that her she is infertile and will never bear a child of her own. Renna volunteers to serve as surrogate mother for Sarita; she wants to help her sister and hopes this will smooth some of the rough spots in her relationship with her mother. But Renna starts to have second thoughts, as her lover Lisa (Jill Hennessy) feels left out of the loop, and Meenu thinks both Renna and Sarita are making a mistake. Nisha Ganatra co-wrote and directed Chutney Popcorn and also plays Renna; the film was enthusiastically received in its screening at the 1999 {~Los Angeles Independent Film Festival}. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Deplorable. Another horrible lesbian movie.
Added 6/11/2009

Armed with a free weekend and a fair amount of curiosity, I was doing a seach on "lesbian movies" and came across this movie. I noticed that it was released back in 1999. My first thought was "why have I not seen this movie before? And why have none of my friends recommended it?"

Now, I know why. My friends like me and spared me the experience.For 10 years, I was saved from horrible, cliched, stereo-typical, lesbian drama.

These are the reasons why:

-Lead actress, no acting skills. Her character had long segments of placing goo on people, snapping her camera, and motorcycle rides that REVEALED nothing and added nothing to the plot. Not a very believable lesbian.
-Plot: totally unbelievable. Even if for the sakes of hollywood drama, the writing was so bad that it could not even happen, no way.
-Cinematography: bad. Whoever was in charge of the camera, didn't know where the "wide" shot button was. All of the close-ups of all of the bad acting, just plain bad.

The only salvagable moments were when Jill Hennessy and Madhur Jaffrey were on screen. Two stars, one each Jill Hennessy (Lisa) & Madhur Jaffrey (plays the role of the mother. The only two who can act!

Please don't make the same mistake I did. Avoid this one. If you dig Jill Hennessy, watch Law & Order or Crossing Jordan.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
good but..
Added 11/26/2008

I am happy with the quality of the movie but it did not come with a case. It is in a cd paper slip. I was disappointed I can not even put it with all the other movies unless I buy a case for it. But good quality of the movie.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Nice way to spend an evening
Added 8/3/2007

If you want to spend a romantic evening with your partner, this movie is a good choice.....sweet and with a good ending.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
I LOVE the Mother she is the funniest of all!
Added 6/18/2006

This movie is so funny that i believe it is enjoyable to both gay and straight audiences. I'm in the catagory of the straight audience and i loved it! The thing about this film that i like the most is how they show the lesbians lives and loves not being outrageous as they are shown in other films. It's more of a realistic view of any average couple out there today. I also like how the main focus is moved over to the baby issue. The funniest parts are when the indian traditions go amuck(especially the umbrella scene) This movie is sugar and spice, and everything nice, a little drama, comedy and lots of fun, Highly recomended!!!!
3 out of 3 people found this helpful.
Funny, beautiful, MUST-SEE.
Added 11/17/2005

There is a reason this film has won so many film festival awards. It's
really good. Really, really good.

"Chutney Popcorn" intertwines a beautiful, cute, and funny story with the
important issues of family homophobia, immigrant parents with Americanized
children, interracial, interfaith queer relationships, and surrogate
parenting, all while brilliantly portraying a dyke community of the
late-1990s. Really, it's an amazing story.

Reena (Nisha Ganatra, also director) is a young Indian dyke in love with
the charming and gorgeous Lisa (Jill Hennessy). Riding around on their
motorcycle and living and socializing with a fun group of dykes, Lisa and
Reena have a pretty fabulous relationship, aside from a few issues.
Reena's mother refuses to come to terms with her daughter's queer identity
(handled with some priceless humor) or her Americanization; Lisa's mother,
on the other hand, is an over-the-top-dyke-loving mother. Then, to make
matters a bit more confusing, and the film all-the-better, Reena begins
thinking about being a surrogate mother for her newly-wed sister. Not only
does Reena's mother hate the idea, but her girlfriend, Lisa, has trouble
figuring out why exactly she doesn't support the idea either.

Brilliantly taking on a story of clashing cultures (queer/straight,
Indian/American, young/old, various family members and ideals), "Chutney
Popcorn" is a funny, beautiful must-see. The acting is great, the
production superb, the issues immaculately poignant. Seriously, well-done.
Five stars.

5 out of 6 people found this helpful.
Deplorable. Another horrible lesbian movie.
Added 6/11/2009

Armed with a free weekend and a fair amount of curiosity, I was doing a seach on "lesbian movies" and came across this movie. I noticed that it was released back in 1999. My first thought was "why have I not seen this movie before? And why have none of my friends recommended it?"

Now, I know why. My friends like me and spared me the experience.For 10 years, I was saved from horrible, cliched, stereo-typical, lesbian drama.

These are the reasons why:

-Lead actress, no acting skills. Her character had long segments of placing goo on people, snapping her camera, and motorcycle rides that REVEALED nothing and added nothing to the plot. Not a very believable lesbian.
-Plot: totally unbelievable. Even if for the sakes of hollywood drama, the writing was so bad that it could not even happen, no way.
-Cinematography: bad. Whoever was in charge of the camera, didn't know where the "wide" shot button was. All of the close-ups of all of the bad acting, just plain bad.

The only salvagable moments were when Jill Hennessy and Madhur Jaffrey were on screen. Two stars, one each Jill Hennessy (Lisa) & Madhur Jaffrey (plays the role of the mother. The only two who can act!

Please don't make the same mistake I did. Avoid this one. If you dig Jill Hennessy, watch Law & Order or Crossing Jordan.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
good but..
Added 11/26/2008

I am happy with the quality of the movie but it did not come with a case. It is in a cd paper slip. I was disappointed I can not even put it with all the other movies unless I buy a case for it. But good quality of the movie.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Nice way to spend an evening
Added 8/3/2007

If you want to spend a romantic evening with your partner, this movie is a good choice.....sweet and with a good ending.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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