The film could have done with more finesse in the way it begins and ends, but there are enough subtle shifts in the main act to keep me with it. After Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake, The Reluctant Fundamentalist is Nair’s most engaging work. – See more at: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/review-the-reluctant-fundamentalist-is-mira-nairs-most-engaging-work/1117080/0#sthash.mwL52ECG.dpuf

Apart from the all-too-contrived screenplay – really, how much dramatic licence can you grant irrelevant flashbacks? – Nair’s tiresomely tangled film articulates too little and too late.

In spite of its relevance in today’s time, the film’s pace and lack of emotional connect makes Mira Nair’s latest film a tad disappointing.

While you may ponder over the particular prism that Mira Nair chooses to look at these issues, you cannot doubt that The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a powerful, gripping/bold film, well worth a watch in the theatre.

Its sensitive yet unsubtle narrative succeeds at retaining the book’s ambiguity, as well as raising pertinent questions on Islamic fundamentalism, emigration and USA’s interference in Pakistan. Nair captures the finer nuances of the thought-provoking tale with great conviction.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist ends up being yet another 9/11 inspired tale with all the expected ingredients, but we wish the film maker had engaged and challenged us a lot more like her previous efforts

Mira Nair’s interpretation of Mohsin Hamid’s novel is an inhibited work trying to be politically correct while dealing with inflammable issues. Sheathing too many subtle emotions that the book had elucidated well, the film doesn’t go beyond being average.

The film is trademarked by Nair’s love for opulent frames. The ethnic Sufi score in the background adds to the rich tones on screen. Indeed Mira Nair always manages a new twist when it comes to presenting eastern exotica for the West.

Mira Nair takes on the daunting task of adapting Mohsin Hamid’s ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ and skillfully transforms a monologue into an engaging plot. She weaves an elaborate tale, infusing it with warmth and texture.

Spare time for this one, if you truly want to give sanity a chance, in the fast turning topsy-turvy world of us vs them.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist is everything and perhaps more than what you would expect from a Mira Nair film. The plot is superb, the direction is good, and the acting is good enough.