It's A Wonderful Afterlife Gurinder Chadha

Mrs. Sethi, an Indian woman living in London, is obsessed with seeing her English-born daughter Roopi married. So much so she's started killing anyone who rejects her - smothering them with chapati dough, force-feeding curry and stabbing with a kebab skewer.

Any film that starts with a series of curry-related murders is going to worth a watch. But this one gets better when the ghosts of her victims begin to haunt Mrs. Sethi trying to convince her to end her life so they can be reincarnated. Upon discovering Roopi's plight they do the only "logical" thing - decide to help their killer find her daughter a husband.

When this film was released at cinemas, reviewers panned it. I can't say I understand why. Okay the content's more gruesome, but in many ways this has many of the endearing qualities of "Bend It Like Beckham" (also Gurinder Chadha). At heart they're both stories about family life amongst Britain's Indian population.

Like "…Beckham" it has wonderful supporting roles. Sally Hawkins is great as the wannabe Indian. And Zoe Wannamaker almost steals the show as Jewish neighbour Mrs. Goldstein, accidentally added to the death count by eating a poisoned Indian sweet.

But this film succeeds because the two lead actresses are superb. Shabana Azmi is the iconic proud Indian lady, determined that her daughter be happy (and for her that means married). And Goldy Notay doesn't suffer by comparison. Her portrayal of the much put-upon (and rejected) daughter is wonderfully heartfelt. It's a real feel-good horror romantic comedy - now how's that for a genre bashing combination.

Page updated 28 January, 2011