Movie Response

"Sita Sings the Blues" was an interesting and at times puzzling film. It had many charismatic elements, the music and humor, that modernized the ancient story. What I liked most was the way that the changing sets displayed the way the story can be applied in many generations and situations. Overall, I think it was a great representation of the story of Ramayana.

The use of the three shadow puppets to provide some comic relief was genius. I loved how they would sort of acknowledge some hypocrisies within the story, but push past them because in the end the theme of the story is what is important, not the minor details. Also, their incessant arguing over names and other details showed how the old age of the story influences how different people tell it differently. The interplay of the 1920's songs confused me a bit. I like the way the love songs romanticized the story between the two lovers but I just wonder why the creator chose that style of music to convey her point rather than to use traditional Indian music. Perhaps as a connector between Indian and American cultures? Any other ideas?

I understand that there exists a comparison between the story of Rama and Sita and the story of Nina and her boyfriend, but I'm not entirely sure what it is. I think that Sita and Nina are in some ways opposites because while they both do everything to remain loyal to their husbands, in the end Nina learns to move on and break herself apart from her ex, meanwhile Sita remains obedient and ready to return into Rama's arms whenever he chooses to be with her again. Why would Nina enjoy reading this story following her break up?