Sita Sings The Blues (Bob says 2 out of 2)

1. Did I enjoy it? YES
What an original film this is! Put together mostly by one woman on her computer, the film tells two parallel stories. The first is a retelling of the Indian epic tale The Ramayana, about a Hindu goddess who accompanies her husband Lord Rama on fourteen year exile in the forest. Rama treats her very poorly, more concerned about his image than his own wife. When the exile is finished, Rama takes his place at the throne but kicks her out for reasons we learn are again more about appearances than anything his devoted wife has really done. Throughout this story, Sita sings some great jazz numbers, which are actually from 1920's artist Annette Hanshaw. The songs fit so well to the plot, which I have always said is how songs should be used in musicals and film in general. The second story is a modern day story of a woman living in California with her boyfriend. The boyfriend gets a six month position working in India, and when he is offered to stay longer, his girlfriend moves there with him. However, he has grown tired of this relationship, and when she gets a brief job in New York, he tells her not to come back. Depressed, she finds a book called the Ramayana, and begins writing the tale we have just seen about Sita. What I found so cool is the modern tale is the actual story of what happened to the writer and director of this movie. Who knew that a breakup could produce such great rewards as this movie? Sita Sings The Blues is very colorful and imaginitive in its animation, as simple as the movements for many of the characters appear. This is turning out to be a great year for animated films, Sita being right up there with great films such as Up.

2. Would I watch it again? YES
This movie unfortunately did not make it to mainstream theaters due to legal issues involving the music, but it found an audience online and was given a lot of attention at Ebertfest this past April. Along with Julia, Sita Sings the Blues is a film that passed under the radar of most viewers but is well worth your time.