Aparna Gangopadhyay Film Review – English Vinglish.1. A mother of a teenage daughter (played by Sridevi) cannot speak English well. Her daughter hates to take her to school because her friend's mother can speak good English! She is reluctant to take her mother to school in parents-teachers meet lest her friends and teachers will come to know that she cannot speak good English …so basically is a ganwar (illiterate) female the daughter is ashamed to take around in public. The same daughter is OK with the fact that her mother is cooking and taking care of the home front – just that she should not get to meet her friends! Otherwise all other home- front requirements that a child needs from the mother is given to her and she is fine with it.2. Husband is working in an Advt. agency – speaks good English – yet married to her because he is an intelligent man who understands that the role of a wife has nothing to do with her knowledge of any particular language…any language for that matter – his priorities regarding wife-factor were clear cut! Bit of a belittling attitude towards his wife – he is fine with the fact that she is taking care of the home front plus even making some money on her own by selling 'kishmish-topped-laddus'!3. Son, who is barely 4 -5 years old is the only one who is a bit attached to his mother – because he was still very dependent on her for reaching potty-seat and eating food etc. Keeping the family personality on mind – very soon, even he would alienate from his mother because of her poor English speaking skills!4. By chance, Sridevi gets an opportunity to visit the US to attend her niece's wedding. She is surprised to see her own sister being so confident about staying in a foreign country all on her own! She was managing things quite well…to which her sister replies that her husband's ever encouraging nature was the reason of her confidence. This saddens Sridevi a bit because all that she got by being a good wife and mother was just the belittling attitudes of her family members – and that too for as vague and stupid a reason as not being able to converse in English with friends, kith and kin! 5. Sridevi then joins 'spoken English' and tries to improvise on her English speaking skills to surprise her family members!6. Last scene is so damn pathetic!! She tries to win the confidence and love of her family members by speaking in English…….oh! my - how humiliating is that! It's like a female can be a pure Bi*ch as far as nature or character is concerned – but she can get away with anything if and only if she can speak in English!This is pathetically yours,India!!

Swapnilagarwal She is back...yes SRI is back!! That too with a bang on performance, muttering certain English-Vinglish!! Moreover, as the film progresses, you stop searching for the Sri Hawa Hawai Devi in the Shashi Godbole she plays so naturally!! So remarkably she portrays and lives the vulnerability of a woman, that you are compelled to see beyond the star she has been. Again not delving too much into each and every detail of the movie I will share my picks:1. Barring the strange plastic nose, even today, Sri can give many contemporary actresses run for their money. It was the role which demanded her to be draped in the 9 mtr cloth throughout, otherwise the figure she maintains can still create enough oomph!! Those big oceanic eyes can still drown many!2. Most importantly, as against the title, the movie is not about learning a certain firangi language. Rather, it is about the journey of a woman from a dark gloomy world of low self-esteem to a confident and self-loving persona. Practically speaking, it is not a story of only some fictional Shashi, but of many Indian housewives who encounter googlies of Anglicised world around them daily. Shashi can definitely inspire some of them to break their mental shackles and discover the woman inside them who is comfortable being herself and who has the ability to walk with the world herself.3. Yes, many characters esp. in her English class seem too type-casted and borrowed from comedies like 'Zabaan sambhaal ke' (based on 'Mind your Language'). They are still able to tickle your funny bone.4. The director has also handled the French love angle quite sensitively. Sri makes it very clear why she is not reciprocating; respect is what she wants, not love. Best part is, there is no unnecessary melodrama on this topic.5. Cinematography is more about skyscrapers of Manhattan with a full song dedicated to the US city. Music is peppy, not catchy though.6. Rest of the characters are good in their own places. Sujata Kumar with her endearing smile mesmerizes. Nice to see veteran Sulabha Deshpande after long. However, there could have been some more Marathi actors to give more desi and authentic flavour to the Marathi family flick. Not to forget Big B in a small cameo. He definitely adds some more cheer to the scenes.In all, EV is as sweet as Shashi's ladoos (yummy they look on screen!!), as suave as Shashi's looks and as focused as Shashi's will power. Those looking for G (glamour) quotient should give it a miss. Recommended for rest. Another addition to the league of nice small budget movies we are getting this year!

Gordon-11 This film tells the story of an Indian housewife, who does not speak English like the other family members do. She decides to learn English in secret."English Vinglish" has a very engaging plot, telling how the housewife Shashi feels as she constantly get laughed at for her poor English. Her decision of self improvement opens her up to a whole new world, including meeting a charming French man who pursues her. Shashi is therefore torn between her family who puts her down, and a charming man who appreciates her. I really did wonder what Shashi will do in this situation, but of course, being a comedy, everything works out in the end. The ending is so touching that it made me cry."English Vinglish" is a charming film, with a great plot and charming performances. The songs are catchy as well, I really enjoy it.

Vishnu M Menon English VinglishHindi, 2012, 2 hr 13 min Genre: Drama, Comedy, Family Direction: Gauri Shinde Cast: Sridevi, Adil Hussain, Mehdi Nebbou, Priya Anand IMDb: 7.7/10English Vinglish is one of those films that you can easily watch with your family, that evokes some laugh and that leaves a pleasant feeling after watching. The story revolves around a typical Indian housewife Shashi, beautifully done by yesteryear star Sridevi, who is made fun of by her own family due to her lack of knowledge in English. She feels hurt in her mind but do not share her sorrows. As it is, she has to go for US to attend her sister's daughter's wedding. How would she cope in the US without proper English? The movie also shows the mature relation between Shashi and Laurent, who is a soft spoken French cook staying in the US. The story says genuine communication requires no knowledge of languages (maybe true, to an extent). The storyline is filled with clean humor. The family values of India are also highlighted. Director Gauri Shinde, who also has written the film, should be lauded.