Gentle and well crafted

From the Merchant Ivory team (minus Ivory) comes this gentle adaption

of the novel by VS Naipul. At the time of its release it was inevitably

derided as boring, but a film with no special effects, explosions,

murders or mayhem will not appeal to most movie goers. Instead, savour

the wonderful evocation of place as the film develops in a hill village

in Trinidad.

There are some good things about the movie. The acting is superb

throughout, and the story though slowly unfolded is never impossible to

follow. It seems more an extended metaphor on the life of Naipul, and

his international fame than a real look at a man on the make in

pre-independent Trinidad. UK watchers will enjoy spotting various

well-known Asian actors.

The main caveats are the slow, meditative pace, and a jarring use of

Oxford and a decidedly movie-looking train station. But it's worth

watching if you like well crafted,intelligent films.