I’m primed to love this sort of film - one with a female lead straddling past and present, making her way through a world of sexist and outdated social mores. But I found this drama tedious, and it ended up being perhaps my least favorite film by Ray (so far). 

Arati takes a job in order to help her family make ends meet, much to the consternation and shame of her husband’s conservative parents. I get that humans have a real…

Adriana is a beautiful young woman living in a big city. She holds down regular jobs like working in a salon or ushering at a movie theater while modeling on the side. Her agent is trying to help her get into acting. Adriana is fickle and promiscuous, flitting from one relationship or sexual encounter to another. She doesn’t seem to have any friends. Her family is impoverished and estranged.

My interpretation of the film is tinged by personal experience. I…