In a barren, arranged marriage to an amateur swami who seeks enlightenment through celibacy, Radha's life takes an irresistible turn when her beautiful young sister-in-law seeks to free herself from the confines of her own loveless marriage.
Mehta's larger goal -- demystifying India -- is powerfully, unsettlingly realized.
– Tom Keogh,
Film.com,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
Speaks tellingly about individual freedom for women versus social expectations and arranged marriages.
– Peter Stack,
San Francisco Chronicle,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
The film has a seductive resonance.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
Fire may be a film, but its story of frustrated desires, love-starved women and the stifling bonds of tradition makes it resemble one of those fat best-selling novels that can fill a summer day at the beach with hours of undemanding pleasure.
– Lawrence Van Gelder,
New York Times,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
Mehta's direction of her unusually intimate film is delicate. The acting is notably good, especially from Azmi.