By Buzz18, March 27, 2009 - 17:25 IST
2 of 3 people found this review helpful Some films live up to the preconceived notions, this doesn't. But after having watched it, one would feel that it would have been better if it did. If you are a Deepa Mehta admirer, and have loved Fire, Earth and Water, and have already bought tickets for this one, just remember 'To err is human'.
By Rediff, March 27, 2009 - 17:28 IST
1 of 2 people found this review helpful Deepa Mehta latest does that to you. Videsh starts out as a disturbing account on domestic violence but loses all objectivity the minute it resorts to elements of mysticism, inspired by Girish Karnad's play Nagamandala. It's a dangerously incompatible mix and damages the possibility of a decent movie to an outright ridiculous one.
By Filmfare / Times of India / Indiatimes, March 27, 2009 - 17:30 IST
1 of 2 people found this review helpful Preity Zinta adds vulnerability, grace and poise to her character. Vansh Bharadwaj suffers from shallow characterization. Balinder Johal as the insecure mother and cold-blooded mother-in-law is efficient...
By Planet Bollywood, March 28, 2009 - 09:32 IST
1 of 2 people found this review helpful Videsh has standout performances by its leading cast. Preity Zinta shines in a very challenging role and she truly makes Chand's suffering and angst come alive on screen. This is undoubtedly one of her best performances till date. Vansh Bhardwaj makes a superb film debut and as he has been saying in the interviews, this indeed is a dream debut for him...
By AOL, March 28, 2009 - 09:33 IST
1 of 2 people found this review helpful The film's greatest triumph is its economy of expression. The tightly-wound tale of the tormented wife is never allowed to have loose moments. Ironically, outwardly we see a warm home filled with a Sikh family half of whom seem to have absolutely nothing to do...
By Sify, March 28, 2009 - 09:34 IST
1 of 2 people found this review helpful If one were to compare Videsh with Provoked, one would have to admit that Deepa Mehta's take on this very prevalent social evil is feebler. By adding the snake folklore, perhaps to add that dash of Indian exotica, the film, one is sorry to say, only weakens the gravity of the subject it so honestly set out to debate.
By Ibnlive, March 28, 2009 - 09:35 IST
1 of 2 people found this review helpful Videsh is engaging for the most part, till it interweaves folklore into this modern-day immigrant story. Inspired by Girish Karnad's celebrated play, Naagmandala, Mehta throws in an element of magic realism for Chand to hold on to...
By Asian Age, March 28, 2009 - 09:37 IST
1 of 2 people found this review helpful The use of extreme close-ups and the virtual absence of background music are stylistically striking though. Of the cast, Vansh Bhardwaj is passable. Preity Zinta is controlled and persuasive. She's impressive but the rest of Heaven on Earth isn't.
By Now Running, March 28, 2009 - 09:38 IST
1 of 2 people found this review helpful The movie is one hour forty five minutes long but even this seems too long as the movie drags in parts. What saves this movie is the authentic setting, the amazingly realistic characters, and ofcourse the fine acting performance of Preity Zinta...
By Indiaglitz, March 28, 2009 - 09:39 IST
1 of 2 people found this review helpful Pertaining to onscreen performance, doubtlessly it's Preity Zinta who has trenchantly spelled her characterization. Getting to watch a bubbly missy who often glued herself to glamorous appeals on contrastive grounds is mind-boggling. Nothing much to mark on other star-casts as Preity herself eclipses everyone around...
By Indya, March 28, 2009 - 09:41 IST
1 of 2 people found this review helpful Deepa Mehta who has given us brilliant award winning films disappoints with Videsh: Heaven on Earth. While I agree with the concept of her film ? young girl goes from a village, is married abroad only to find herself in a dead end and dealing with domestic abuse ? I find that the film lacked enough meat...
By Hindustan Times, March 28, 2009 - 09:42 IST
1 of 2 people found this review helpful Especially since Preity Zinta brings a tremulous, vulnerable grace to her portrayal of a woman living in constant fear. And the story does have its moments (all belonging to Preity)...
By Realbollywood, March 28, 2009 - 09:43 IST
1 of 2 people found this review helpful The film in its original English version - Heaven on Earth may have received a few film festival awards but now in its Hindi dubbed version as Videsh, it is certainly not a film which will entertain you. Its tortoise pace and some absurdities thrown in at regular intervals will definitely put you off to sleep.
