Devi (1960)

(On Cable TV, February 2022) Ah well—another classic Satyajit Ray film that I don’t quite like. As usual, I can recognize the kernel of something interesting in Devi—namely, the way a young woman is literally deified by her surroundings, showing both the lunacy of religion, but also the terrible costs paid by the woman, as others begin to consider her as more than herself. But while that’s a solid premise, I was rapidly bored by the execution. Ray’s typical style is slow from the get-go, but Devi seems to take things even more leisurely than usual. I can’t deny the cultural barrier either, as the film takes place deep in historical India with very few reference points and explanations for non-Indian viewers. (I recommend reading the plot summary prior or during watching the film, just to have a holding hand to unlock much of the film’s less-than-obvious meaning.)  I can see the care through which the film was made, I can appreciate the credibility of the historical recreation, and I can’t say much against the actors involved in the production. But when it comes to the essential “Well, did you like it?”, I can think of several Ray films I liked more than Devi (and just about as many that I liked equally, which is not very much). But so it goes—not all international cinema is as effective for everyone, and that’s part of the game.