Trishna - B

Rated R, 108 minutes

Lovely and pensive, Pinto is a worthy "Trishna"

Riz Ahmed and Frida Pinto

If you haven't fallen in love with Indian actress Freida Pinto from such films as "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," then you will after seeing the handsome and affecting romantic film "Trishna." From British director Michael Winterbottom ("A Mighty Heart," "A Cock and Bull Story"), it's a modern, very loose adaptation of the Thomas Hardy novel "Tess of the d'Urbervilles." The film drags in the last act, but the ravishing Pinto holds the film together to make it worthwhile viewing. Set in 21st century Rajasthan, India, Pinto is Trishna, a rural woman who meets Jay (British rapper/singer Riz Ahmed), a wealthy British businessman who is in India managing one of his father's hotels. Trishna goes to work for Jay and the two fall in love. While Trishna is living a better life, circumstances and traditions force her to live a life she's unaccustomed to, and her journey will force her to make some tragic choices. Pinto's strong turn as the title character is the most satisfying thing about the lovely "Trishna" and it certainly helps she's easy on the eyes. The film is Winterbottom's third adaptation of a Hardy novel, and he seems to have a fascination with Hardy; though a loose adaptation of "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," the themes of the classic novel - modernism and sexual double standards - are ever present throughout (and for a much different adaptation, see Polanski's 1979 film "Tess"), with added Indian music and wardrobe. The film still belongs to Pinto, whose radiant smile the camera clearly loves; her palpable, warm chemistry (not to mention a few steamy scenes) with singer Ahmed make the film even better. The first two-thirds move well until "Trishna" falters in the downbeat, too subtle last act, when it meanders and fails to make a smooth transition to the changes that Trishna and Jay are forced to make, particularly when Trishna herself must make some tragic choices: accept a better life in a demeaning role or go back to her poor, rural life. Some may disagree with Winterbottom's tragic (i.e. depressing) ending, but "Trishna" is still an affecting, thought-provoking drama about love and making the right choices, and regardless of the ending you'll be completely satisfied with the stunningly beautiful Pinto, who makes this film worth the price of admission.