City of Joy (1992) Reviews

City of Joy (1992)
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In this drama, a wealthy American doctor learns some important lessons about life in one of the poorest cities on Earth. Max Lowe (Patrick Swayze) is a Houston surgeon who has grown weary of the bureaucracy of American medicine. When he loses a patient on the operating table, Max impulsively decides to leave America and travel to India in the hope of "finding himself." Not long after he arrives in Calcutta, Max is attacked by a group of thugs and left without money or a passport. However, a man named Hasari (Om Puri) comes to Max's rescue. Hasari had left his farming community to come to the city, only to be overwhelmed by its dirt, crime, and overcrowding. Despite their poverty, Hasari and his family take Max in and bring him to a medical clinic in the City of Joy, one of the poorest slums in the city. The clinic is run by Joan Bethel (Pauline Collins), an Irish-American nun who urges Max to use his skills to help the people of Calcutta who so desperately need it. Max signs on, and he finds that the experience changes his life. City of Joy was based on a novel by Dominique Lapierre. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Patrick Swayze, Pauline Collins, (more)
Director(s):
Roland Joffé
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG13
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD
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Average Ratings

(11 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Rebecca L.

Patrick Swayze is expansive in his role as Max Lowe, an American doctor that "runs away" from his life in American and is thrown into an entirely different life in India. Pauline Collins was great as a person who is trying to make life better for the poor of Calcutta. Om Puri is great as a farmer who has lost his farm and comes to Calcutta to find work to support his family. This movie makes you take a look at poverty in India and at how oppressed people deal with their lives. Dirty Dancing, Ghost and City of Joy should have made Patrick Swayze a leading man in a category with Harrison Ford and Tom Hanks. In this movie he expressed outrage, anger, joy and friendship love so poignantly that I felt that I was there - in the story - experiencing the reactions to his emotions. It is a wonderful film. Everyone should watch it!

Yes   |   No


Steve W.

This is one of those movies that shows the good, the bad and the tragic. The bad makes this father and his peoples struggles and what Western culture might view as minor successes, glorious. You will find yourself routing for them. It also provides the viewer with some insight to a completely different cultural view of marriage. Seeing all that this father suffers, finding a job, keeping a job while being threatened by mafia types, all just for his daughters wedding and to make himself presentable to a higher class, It should make you cry. If you don't appreciate all that you do have after watching this, It would be surprising. Shame on Blockbuster or whoever it was that gave this movie 2 stars

Yes   |   No


Tanner S.

This movie is based on a book which is based on the lives of real people. While different from the book, it still left me with a feeling that we in the U.S.A. have it so much better than so many others. It also left me with the desire to minimalize my own belongings and help others. This is definitely the kind of movie that inspires and motivates, and will most likely make you think.

Yes   |   No


Joseph M.

This is a movie that opens your mind to see how difficult it is for the country of India to take care of thousands and thousands of their citizens without work, healthcare, an honest police system, with a policy of let the strongest and meanest survive, and how the dedication of regular missionary-type people who strive to make this world better without any remuneration.

Yes   |   No


MANUEL H.

I have enjoyed some of the films that Patrick Swayze has been in, in spite of him. This is the only film in which I really enjoyed his work. I found the storyline very predictable with the bad guys behaving accordingly and the misunderstood Max is pulled by the injustice all around him and personal insult that rubs childhood wounds. The refreshing part of the movie is the local cast that performs at the level of any polished hollywood supporting actors and the dwelling into many customs that in the west would be found abhorrent.. It was time well spent watching this movie.

Yes   |   No


Steven C.

Though this film wasn't unpredictable, it was certainly heart-warming and encouraging. It was also a reminder about the ways organized crime hurts a society, and made me think about how organized crime is still a challenge in some American cities. Definitely worth watching!

Yes   |   No


CO A.

Excellant. Love Patrick Swayze. Great cast and meaningful storyline.

Yes   |   No


Robert G.

WOW! what can I say about this movie it was very powerfull full of true to life drama it makes you what to get into the movie and fight back with the bad guys very very good

Yes   |   No


Patti C.

This show is great. Of course I love Patrick Swayze so I feel this is one of his better movies. I other actors are wonderful also.

Yes   |   No


Amy S.

Great acting by Patrick Swayze

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (11)
     
    Rebecca L.

    Patrick Swayze is expansive in his role as Max Lowe, an American doctor that "runs away" from his life in American and is thrown into an entirely different life in India. Pauline Collins was great as a person who is trying to make life better for the poor of Calcutta. Om Puri is great as a farmer who has lost his farm and comes to Calcutta to find work to support his family. This movie makes you take a look at poverty in India and at how oppressed people deal with their lives. Dirty Dancing, Ghost and City of Joy should have made Patrick Swayze a leading man in a category with Harrison Ford and Tom Hanks. In this movie he expressed outrage, anger, joy and friendship love so poignantly that I felt that I was there - in the story - experiencing the reactions to his emotions. It is a wonderful film. Everyone should watch it!

    Yes   |   No

     
    Steve W.

    This is one of those movies that shows the good, the bad and the tragic. The bad makes this father and his peoples struggles and what Western culture might view as minor successes, glorious. You will find yourself routing for them. It also provides the viewer with some insight to a completely different cultural view of marriage. Seeing all that this father suffers, finding a job, keeping a job while being threatened by mafia types, all just for his daughters wedding and to make himself presentable to a higher class, It should make you cry. If you don't appreciate all that you do have after watching this, It would be surprising. Shame on Blockbuster or whoever it was that gave this movie 2 stars

    Yes   |   No

     
    Tanner S.

    This movie is based on a book which is based on the lives of real people. While different from the book, it still left me with a feeling that we in the U.S.A. have it so much better than so many others. It also left me with the desire to minimalize my own belongings and help others. This is definitely the kind of movie that inspires and motivates, and will most likely make you think.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 11 Reviews
       

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