Directed by: Gauri Shinde
Released: 2012
Country: India
Main cast: Sridevi, Priya Anand, Adil Hussain, Mehdi Nebbou, Adil Hussain, Cory Hibbs, Sujata Kumar
Genres: Drama, Comedy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Gauri Shinde's ''English Vinglish'' tells a light, yet enchanting and heartwarming story. English Vinglish is a moving comedy drama that tells a story where as the sadness of the protagonist is shown, similarly her cheerfulness and self-confidence is shown as well. English Vinglish tells the story of the transformation of the protagonist from a belittled, nervous woman to a self-confident woman.
This is the first film directed by Gauri Shinde. Not only this, ''English Vinglish'' also marks the comeback of Sridevi after fifteen years. Sridevi had been a leading star in Bollywood during the late 1980s and the early 1990s. She had starred in many critically acclaimed films, and left the film industry in 1997 to raise her children. Now, in 2012, she made her comeback with ''English Vinglish''.
Sridevi plays Shashi, a middle class housewife. Her family consists of her husband Satish, two children Sapna and Sagar, and elderly mother-in-law. She is a very sweet and caring person. She deeply loves cares for every member of her family. Her hobby is to make laddoos (sweet snacks) and she sells them.
But however, these efforts are hardly noticed by her family because of one thing: she cannot speak English well. Her husband makes jokes at her English, and not only this, he also makes fun of her in every possible way (once he mentions that Shashi was born to make laddoos). Even her daughter Sapna makes jokes at her because of this. But however, her little son Sagar is very close to her.
Shashi's niece Meera, who lives in Manhattan, is about to be married. For helping her sister, Manu, in necessary preparations, Shashi arrives in the United States. Her family members will be joining her after a few days. There, she is warmly welcomed by the family of her sister.. But however, after she faces problems in communication because of her weakness in English, Shashi enrolls at an English class, which promises to teach English within four weeks. But however, she doesn't inform this to her family.
From then on, Shashi slowly starts showing self-confidence and starts believing in herself, and the film gets so very sweet and exciting as we see Shashi's efforts.
The film is charming with an inspirational message and perhaps all the characters are notable, in some way or other. I have said enough about the character of Shashi, but I have to mention that as Shashi, Sridevi gives one of the best performances of the year. I also found the character of Radha, Shashi's other niece, extremely likeable. Radha comes to know about Shashi's enrollment at the English class, and helps her in different ways. The character is played by Priya Anand. It is her debut Hindi film. Mehdi Nebbou plays Laurent, a soft-spoken French chef who also joins the class to improve his English, and feels attracted at Shashi, often helping her. Adil Hussain is present as Satish, Sridevi's husband.
Navika Kotia and Shivansh Kotia play Shashi's two children, and both young actors give good performances. Sujata Kumar is quite good as Manu, Shashi's sister. Neelu Sodhi plays Meera. She is present in several scenes and is to be married, but the role remains a minor supporting character. Amitabh Bachchan makes a cameo appearance.
English Vinglish is a gentle and enchanting movie. It is heartwarming, cheerful, emotional and inspirational. It brings a smile in the face!
4 out of 5!
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