Heaven On Earth

"Better hell, than a heaven with no dignity," a character says in Deepa Mehta's superb new life study, which like her Oscar-nominated Water fearlessly questions cultural norms and family values. Preity Zinta is Chand, an East Indian woman who comes to Canada for an arranged marriage, seeking freedom and love but receiving neither. Vansh Bhardwaj is Rocky, her abusive husband whose inner demons rule his temper. Elements of magic turn kitchen-sink drama into soaring metaphor.