Funny, poignant, and sensual, Fire is a beautiful, painful experience.

| Jun 1, 2022

Beautiful cinematography makes Fire a delight for the eye, and the film's political messages will really make you think.

| May 24, 2022

The plot is tender, absorbing, and rich with a very South Asian brand of understated humor and a message that ultimately transcends culture.

| Aug 14, 2019

Strong ensemble playing riffs nicely off [writer and director Deepa] Mehta's taboo- bucking script.

| Mar 29, 2019

| Original Score: B- | Sep 7, 2011

Fire lights its spark beautifully

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 21, 2006

should spark interest in India's modern culture even if it doesn't satisfy those who think a lesbian love affair should burn more explicitly

| Original Score: B | May 6, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 14, 2005

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 28, 2003

Although the acting is pleasant enough, the script by the director suffers from a paucity of ideas. His characters are handsomely outlined but never adequately filled in.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jul 24, 2002

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 12, 2002

One of the most powerful achievements of Fire is to represent a form of desire which is not an escape, but a political challenge.

| Mar 5, 2002

A compelling drama set in India about the boundlessness of desire.

| Mar 2, 2002

The film has a seductive resonance.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 1, 2000

More soap opera than anything else, full of wringing of hands and lots and lots of talking.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 1, 2000

Fire's flat-out depiction of average middle-class existence in New Delhi is eye-opening.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 1, 2000

Works because it doesn't come off as a lofty diatribe but actually mixes humor with its pathos.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 1, 2000

A plea for women's self-determination that, for all its good intentions, will probably strike viewers in this country as a bit obvious.

| Jan 1, 2000

Mehta's larger goal -- demystifying India -- is powerfully, unsettlingly realized.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

Fire may be a film, but its story of frustrated desires, love-starved women and the stifling bonds of tradition makes it resemble one of those fat best-selling novels that can fill a summer day at the beach with hours of undemanding pleasure.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 1, 2000