Before The Rains

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Set in southern India in 1937, Before The Rains sees English planter Henry Moores (Roache) conduct a passionate affair with his married housekeeper Sajani (Das) with the help of his 'man' T.K (Bose). When Henry's wife (Ehle) and son return from England, Henry cuts off the devastated Sajani, but she refuses to return to her jealous husband and tragedy befalls the couple. A Merchant-Ivory wannabe, there's a lot to like about Before The Rains, but it is its faults that will live in the memory. With Sivan's previous career as a cinematographer, the film was always going to look beautiful and the extraordinary opening shots deliver on that promise. Bose is best in show, but then he has the most interesting character to work with: T.K is trying to 'live in both worlds' - he's content to take English money while half supporting the emerging cries for Indian independence. T.K's predicament is not the only metaphor as Before The Rains is heavy with symbolism: if Henry is colonialism and his dreams of building a road the expansion of that, then the promised monsoon is Indian independence; his relationship with Sajani the attitude occupiers have towards those occupied; the rains of the title is a cleanser of sins, etc. Although fun spotting those, it can be all a little obvious too. Decent if unremarkable.