The Householder (1962) Reviews

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The Householder was the very first collaboration between producer Ismael Merchant and James Ivory. A pleasant, low-key domestic comedy, the film details the travails of a young married couple. The husband (Shashi Kapoor) had wanted no part of the arranged marriage in the first place: now he must not only deal with a virtual stranger for a wife, but also a passle of financial headaches. Despite the unfamiliarity of the surroundings, American filmgoers should recognize several universal truths in this touching tale. The script was the handiwork of Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, adapted from her own novel; Jhabvala would remain a valuable member of the Merchant-Ivory aggregation. Offering an uncredited assist in the editing room was none other than legendary Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Starring:: Shashi Kapoor, Leela Naidu, (more)

Director(s):: James Ivory

Format(s):: DVD
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Average Ratings

(5 member reviews)

Member Reviews

	Seema S.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

I first read the book about 6 months ago and had not realized that Merchant-Ivory had made the book into a film. I loved every moment of this delightful film. Leela Naidu and Shashi Kapoor were amazing as a newly married couple. Shashi Kapoor played his character's naivete very subtle made him a very endearing character. For the DVD the special features were priceless. Hearing about how Ismail Merchant and James Ivory became collaborators was worth the rental alone.

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	Kishan K.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

I heard a lot about movies of Ismail merchant and just recently I got to see one of his movie for the first time and I am not disappointed. This movie was on par with Satyajit ray's movies that I have seen. The movie is based on a novel about a middle class Indian college teacher and his family life. The movie follows his life and his struggles with keeping up his job and dealing with this newly wed wife and her relationship with her mother. I wished that the movie was in hindi with subtitles rather than in english. The movie was very simple, natural and very subtle just like a satyajit ray movie. I hope to see all the other movies of James ivory and ismail merchant in future.

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	Harshad P.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Its a true story that I guess every newly wed Indian couple goes through when their marrige is arranged. It gives a glimpse of the relationship and expectations of two different personalities and the different factors that cause strain in the relationship. A must watch for those who want to learn more on hoe a arranged marriage system works. Movie is B&W and direction is great by James Ivory.

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	SANDHYA P.

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful

This movie may be good for non Indians but for Indians it is just a waste of time, everything is predictable, slow and boring.Very clichÃ©d and moving extremely slowly, it does get on your nerves after a short while.Every character is more a caricature than flesh and blood and dialogs are very trite and forced. I did not like it at all so my recommendation is that if you are a Non-Indian and are OK with B/W movies and want to know about arranged marriages in the early 60's ( no here near what it is like nowadays) then give this a try , for all Indians, you can safely miss it and not regret it a bit! I gave a shot to the supplementary material ,it was more of a history lesson than anything else, just a big waste of time.

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