These failures of taste are even more unfortunate because Nair and her cinematographer (Stuart Dryburgh of The Piano) have created a striking visual universe...

Like Dottie herself, the film is all dressed up with nowhere to go.

With non-Hispanic principal actors and Indian-born Mira Nair directing, this garish romance is a bit of an ethnic pot-pourri, but it's not quite as annoying as it sounds. Huston, in particular, gives it a touch of genuine class.

The conclusion rushes by without sufficient development: You feel like there's a scene or two missing. But the movie ends with such optimism and bittersweet nostalgia, it sends you out smiling.