Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Gypsi Bates Shashi (played by Sridevi) is disrespected by her husband and daughter, in part because of her lack of English. When she visits New York to help her sister with a wedding, she secretly takes an English class. In the process, she discovers self-respect and self-love.This comedy-drama is simply fantastic. Sridevi, returning to acting after 15 years, gives a flawless performance. The supporting cast, from Sridevi's husband (Adil Hussain) down to her young son (7-year old Shivansh Kotia) all give solid performances, with Mehdi Nebbou (as Laurent) and Priya Anand (as Sapna) being especially impressive. The music is mainly incidental/background, but some of the songs are beautiful. Shot mostly in NYC, the location shots look great. The plot itself is touching, funny, and inspirational. I can't rate this film high enough, as it was as close to perfect as I have seen.(This film includes a delightful cameo from Amitabh Bachchan.)

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!

prianka-guru This is fabulous movie. Its a feel good or rather I'd say an inspirational one. Makes one realize don't let your weakness get the better of you.Sridevi (Shashi) has performed remarkably well. Brilliant performance. The French guy, Laurent is adorable.All of us have known at least one 'Shashi' in life. This movie very subtly broadens your perspective on quite a lot of issues, like marriage, being able to speak English, and other things, without being too rebellious.I loved it, and I would recommend this is everyone.