The Mistress of Spices (2005)

13% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(7,789 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 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 of bandits. A daring escape is quick to follow, and soon after washing up on mysterious shores the traumatized girl is sheltered by a benevolent old woman (Zohra Segal) who reveals to her the remarkable powers of common spices. Later, after moving to Oakland, California and opening her own spice shop, Tilo is compelled to follow three strict stipulations is she is to retain her ability to harness these magnificent powers: she must never use the powers for her own gain, she can never venture outside of her store, and she must never make contact with the skin of another person. When a handsome architect (Dylan McDermott) crashes his motorcycle just outside of the shop and the kindly proprietor rushes to his aid, the instant chemistry between the pair soon finds Tilo's resolve put to the ultimate test. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Paul Mayeda Berges
Genres: Drama, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2006 Wide
On DVD: May 22, 2007
Studio: 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.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...the film abandons logic and plausibility to such a degree that it quickly becomes impossible to overlook the more fantastical elements...
Jim Slotek, Jam! Movies
It's acted with the artificiality of an After School special, the one-note brooding of McDermott especially, and with the endless monologues, the script descends into endless, boring narrative exposition.
Anna Smith, Empire Magazine
Magic and realism just don't belong together here.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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

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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
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 spirit and encourage love. After the movie was over, I googled spices to see if it might be true. This movie was lacking humor. It shouldn't have been labeled "comedy" on the front cover. It was more like a love-at-first-sight romance film slash fantasy. (Jealous spices with telepathic and healing powers was about the extent of the fantasy.) I was curious what the chilis power was was but the movie failed to mention that. Last, there was not much screen chemistry between Rai and McDermott and the plot was a little flat. I never did finish the book out of sheer boredom and hoped the movie might be better. A shame because Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is one of my favorite authors.
Deb S

Mistress of Spices is a mythical tale of a woman who at a young age discovers she can see things others could not and uses her power of the spice, to help them. Of course for the spices to work she has to live by significant rules, she is never allowed to step outside her store, never… More
Mistress of Spices is a mythical tale of a woman who at a young age discovers she can see things others could not and uses her power of the spice, to help them. Of course for the spices to work she has to live by significant rules, she is never allowed to step outside her store, never touch another skin, never fall in love and love and live only for the spices. If she breaks these rules punishment is meted out by the powers that are dwelling within those spices and I tell you, they're quite vengeful as horrible things happen. The movie then spins into a tale of forbidden love when she encounters the handsome Dylan McDermott and begins breaking the rules. There's an underlying reminder for Indians based overseas about never forgetting their roots and culture, and to never fall for the enticing decadent lifestyle of the foreigners. The spices and the restrictions for handling them represent the belief that one may not be able to keep their own culture while living in the West, but the end of the story proves it otherwise. Dylan is quite adept at delivering the occasional smoldering look necessary to convey "I'm falling in love" and the ravishing beautiful Rai is luminous, with those huge blue green eyes. Anupam Kher (The Other End of the Line) tries hard with his performance, but fails to add any relevance to the story line.
Bill C

Bollywood without the dance numbers. Aishwarya Rai is just so hot!
Leo L

WOW! This is a great movie! Tilo (Aishwarya Rai) has her gift and traditions, as mistress of spices. Living in America, she has certain rules to follow and it becomes difficult when she falls in love with an American (Dylan McDermott). Like most cultures, traditions usually… More
WOW! This is a great movie! Tilo (Aishwarya Rai) has her gift and traditions, as mistress of spices. Living in America, she has certain rules to follow and it becomes difficult when she falls in love with an American (Dylan McDermott). Like most cultures, traditions usually doesn't reign supreme but its realization that in modern times, especially in America, one lives how one can even if that means changes in certain customs. In the end, it's not so bad when family is all that is important as most of the characters find that out. Love and happiness, and Al Green sure says it best. GREAT MOVIE! GREAT MUSIC!! Bally Sagoo has a phenomenal track "Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha". It's great! Then, there is the flute mix which is hypnotic.
Kevin M

Rai is gorgeous, while the rest of the cast delivers a par performance. Truly awkward final scenes, reminiscent of traditional Indian limitations on dynamic society.
Barry L

Original but tepid.

Read all 10 featured audience ratings

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