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Trishna
By Jeffrey Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dreary novel-based tragedy set in India has sex, violence.
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's the Story?
Trishna (Freida Pinto) is the eldest daughter of a poor Indian family. While dancing one night, she meets Jay (Riz Ahmed), the son of a wealthy hotel man. He offers her a job in a hotel, which she desperately needs, since a traffic accident has left her father bedridden. Trishna becomes Jay's lover, but because of social pressures, Jay is forced to keep their relationship a secret. Eventually the relationship becomes unhealthy and quasi-abusive, and Trishna is forced to make a tough decision.
Is It Any Good?
Director Michael Winterbottom is clearly smitten with India in TRISHNA, offering long, loving shots of cityscapes and decorative postcard shots of countrysides. Often, he also spends long moments following his characters moving from one place to another, even if nothing else is happening. For local color, there are even a few scenes of dancers performing Bollywood-style moves. Unfortunately, after all this, he forgets to spend much time actually telling his story or getting to know his characters.
The result is a dry, inert, frustrating, and boring experience, more detours than drama. When Jay finally expresses his love and longing for his leading lady, the scene fizzles. Her response is dead-eyed, and therefore, there's no romantic or emotional arc to their relationship. It's totally dreary, and as it slides downhill, the story seems more inevitable than tragic. Fans of Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles may find something worthwhile here, but most others shouldn't bother.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Trishna's sexual relationship. Does it seem consensual? At what point does it turn from romantic to oppressive? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Why did Trishna resort to violence? Did she have any other options to change her situation?
How does this movie differ from the Thomas Hardy novel it's based on? Are the changes interesting? How?
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 13, 2012
- On DVD or streaming: November 6, 2012
- Cast: Freida Pinto , Riz Ahmed , Roshan Seth
- Director: Michael Winterbottom
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Indian/South Asian actors
- Studios: IFC Entertainment , Sundance Selects
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 117 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: sexuality, some violence, drug use and language
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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