“Life is a process that continues until death, encompassing all its beauty, ugliness, peace, and unrest. Only those who understand that ‘a little is needed from a little’ live it, considering life beautiful and never preferring death over it. For these lively souls, the ups and downs of life contain the taste of sweet and sour grapes.
Sour and Sweet
Release: 1978 / IMDB: 7.5
A Parsi widower, Homi Mistry (Ashok Kumar), lives in a small house with his four sons. Retirement is near, but his main concern is the lack of someone to manage the household and emotionally support them. At this moment, a friend, Soli (David), suggests he marry a Parsi widow, Nargis (Pearl Padamse). Nargis also has a son and a daughter.
Homi Mistry and Nargis hesitate about marriage, eventually agree, and face discontent from their grown children regarding the marriage. Then follows a series of squabbles in their shared home, gradually evolving into a sibling-like love.
Basu Chatterjee’s story is so beautifully crafted and gripping that it keeps you laughing, and occasionally brings tears to your eyes as it progresses. Watch this film by Basu Chatterjee as a director and understand what an “emotionally intelligent” director does and how the camera controls your emotions.
Everyone knows how remarkable an actor Ashok Kumar was, and this film showcases one of his finest performances. Pearl Padamse also delivers an excellent performance. Rakesh Roshan, Bindiya Goswami, and others all shine in their roles.
Devendra Verma, as Dara, makes you laugh heartily with lines like “Mom, when will you become a mother-in-law?” Enjoy it! Amitabh Bachchan’s cameo is also delightful.
Rakesh Roshan composed the music reflecting the film’s essence, Parsi culture, and the sweet and sour blend of melodies, while Gulzar penned meaningful songs like “A little is needed from a little,” “I fell in love with you,” and “Life is like a sour and sweet grape.”
Nowadays, many films are labeled “slice of life,” but believe me, this film from 1978 truly revolves around your life, my life, or our life, and feels like a sweet and sour grape.
