The Mistress of Spices

The Mistress of Spices (2005)

  • 13% of critics liked it
    (8 reviews)

  • 45% of users liked it
    (7,877 ratings)

Director Paul Mayeda Berges adapts author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni magic realist tale about an enchanting Indian orphan who has leaned to harness the magical properties of spices. Orphaned by regional strife in her homeland of India, Tilo (Aishwarya Rai) is subsequently kidnapped by a vicious gang… More

PG-13,
Directed By
Genres
Drama, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy
In Theaters
Jan 1, 2006 Wide
Maple

Critic Reviews

  • Peter Howell, Toronto Star

    About all that can be said about The Mistress of Spices is that actress Rai manages to retain a straight face while uttering some of the most risible dialogue ever heard in a supposedly serious drama.

  • Jason Anderson, Globe and Mail

    Emphasizes the pleasures of scent, taste and touch to a remarkably tantalizing degree.

  • Anita Gates, New York Times

    Imagine Like Water for Chocolate without the passion. Such is the premise of Mistress of Spices, Paul Mayeda Berges's film-directing debut.

  • Derek Elley, Variety

    Beautiful but lifeless, poetic but unelevated.

  • Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter

    Despite the ethereal presence of Aishwarya Rai in the title role, unquestionably one of the most beautiful women on the planet, this savory dose of magic realism goes off almost from the start.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Dead A


    I watched this a long time ago. It's okay.

  • Arash X


    Ridiculous & stupid, And Rai is kinda annoying

  • Mason W


    A lovely film with beautiful colors placed into the film...can a woman whom can assist with destiny for others find her true love?? ....Aishwarya Rai is beautiful and is good in this film along with Dylan McDermott.

  • Kylie B


    The novel was amazing and this did not fail to deliver. The book always reminded me of Chocolat, but this adaptation was both far more faithful and far more fitting with the colours and textures used in the book/cinamatography than the Chocolat film was.

  • Dannielle A


    The ethereal beauty of this movie is thanks to the most gorgeous woman in the world in the title role as well as the vibrant colors and magical music that allow one to almost taste the exotic flavor of the spices. I became fascinated with the idea that some spices could uplift the… More

Read all 10 featured audience ratings

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