“BEFORE THE RAINS”
reviewed by Andrew Johnson

 Here is another cinematically gorgeous film from James Ivory. This one takes place in southern India in the late 1930s with the undertone of a growing nationalistic movement for freedom from the British Empire.
 In an effort to expand his spice harvesting business, Henry Moore (Linus Roache) wants to build a private road in a short span of time before the monsoon rains arrive. It must be sturdy enough not to be washed away by the heavy precipitation. He hires T. K. Neelan ( Rahul Bose), a Western-educated idealistic young Indian man to be the architect for this project.

 But while Moore’s wife (Jennifer Ehle) and young son are away in England, he has been having an affair with one who claims to be the love of his life, his beautiful but married housemaid Sajani (Nandita Das). And you just know that complications will set in as they are seen together. His son and wife soon return to their home in India really creating an awkward situation for him.

“BEFORE THE RAINS” is interestingly directed and beautifully photographed by acclaimed Indian director and cinematographer Santosh Swan. There is the conflict between future growth in the country and the villager’s past ways, two diverse cultures not seeming to mesh with important choices to be made. As two worlds collide, men must make their choices and embrace their true identities and freedom, as the film carefully tells this tragic tale of love and loss.
 
 

The Players:  Linus Roache, Rahul Bose, Nandita Das, Jennifer Ehle, John Standing,
                      Lal Paul

The Filmmakers:
Directed by Santosh Swan
Based on the book by Cathy Rabin
Cinematographer: Santosh Swan
Music by Mark Kilian
English and Malayalam dialogue with English subtitles
Released by Roadside Attractions