Tilo (Aishwarya Rai) was left an orphan in India when her parents were killed by bandits. Happily, an old lady, skilled in herbal medicine, aka "spices", took her on as a pupil. One of the things that Tilo learned was how to "listen" to the spices and predict futures, including her own. Now, Tilo lives outside San Francisco and runs a well-known spice shop, where she is revered as an herbalist and good person. But, she avoids romance, in part because her instructor drilled in the need for personal sacrifice in her life's work. Also, she has never been to SF, despite living so close. One day, a handsome motorcyclist, Doug (Dylan McDermott) is injured in front of her shop. Tilo immediately senses that this man is "trouble" for her celibacy but she mixes a concoction of herbs that heals his wounds more quickly. For his part, Doug is attracted to Tilo's great beauty and gentle ways. He makes a point of trying to get her to go on a date. But, even spending time thinking of this man causes Tilo to lose balance and blame mishaps to her regular customers on her own inattention. Can Tilo resist Doug? Will a romance upset her world? This is an exotic, stunningly beautiful film that is virtually unknown to most of the public. Perhaps, fans of McDermott have sought it out; lucky them. Part of the film's success lies in the glimpse into the world of Indian spices and heritage, especially the strong dedication of Hindi herbalists. The movie also features two lovely performances from the stars and a great supporting cast. Costumes, setting, photography, and a sensitive direction complete its journey to excellence. Do make a strong effort to find this gem, romance and quality film fans. It will turn your head and touch your heart.

When the chillies in a spice shop get more on screen attention than the leading man in a romance, you've got yourself big, big problems. Here are just a few: She's not allowed to touch a human... SHE'S RUBBING HER COUSIN'S HAND 5 MINUTES IN! Does every Indian now living in San Francisco have a history blighted by parricide!? When a film relies on over 50% of it's dialogue through the source of spoken thought it is corrupt of imagination.On a more general note: Mistress of the Spices is a poor story poorly told. It's cliché ridden; the dialogue is shocking; the acting is unconvincing and the directing woefully one dimensional. Aishwarya Rai does indeed have stunning eyes - but does the camera really need to give us close-ups of them every 4 minutes!? There is nothing to recommend this febrile nonsense. It is patronising to both the Sub-Continent and the West and, as a metaphor, is as involving as if she'd have ran a DIY store. Actually...If you're a fan of film and want to see how to get everything wrong - watch this. If you think time is too precious, have a curry instead - it's infinitely more authentic and satisfying.

In India, Tilo (Aishwarya Rai) has the ability of foreseeing the future. When their parents are killed by bandits, she is kidnapped but escapes and is raised by the First Mother (Zohra Segal) in a sort of traditional cult of spices. She becomes the Mistress of Spices and is sent to the Spice Bazaar in San Francisco, with the mission of following three basic rules: help her clients to accomplish their desires with the spices, but never hers; never leave the store; and never be touched in the skin. When she meets the handsome American architect Doug (Dylan McDermott), she feels a great attraction and desire for him, breaking the first rule and being punished by the spices."The Mistress of Spices" is a predictable but pleasant film that uses the idea of movies like "Chocolate", "Woman on Top", "Como Agua Para Chocolate" blending romance with food or spice or chocolate or cookies. Therefore, the flawed story has no originality and is quite boring and messy in many moments. However, the cinematography is wonderful, with magnificent colors highlighted on DVD. Further, the gorgeous Miss World 1994 and Queen of Bollywood Aishwarya Rai makes this little film worth with her beauty and participating in most of the scenes. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "O Sabor da Magia" ("The Flavor of Magic")

This is a strange film. Its inept in nearly all respects. Where it is not is in the beauty of key shots. Everything is framed as a still photograph. The stars are Ms Rai and the colorful shop. Each is rather beautiful and colorful. The shop is something rather wonderful; the set designer must be complimented. To underscore that notion of the importance of colored space, that old chestnut the architect is dragged out as the love interest.The actress is pretty in the beginning and oddly less so later when she tries to be.Oddly, they used a body double for Ms Rai's tummy, which western viewers would expect to be trim.The story is an old one: power, usually magic over love, instead of love. There's a choice and invariably it is for love.Here it has an immigrant twist which hasn't been thought out: the constraints of her craft are crudely conflated with the issues of integrating immigrants.Even the dreadful Penelope Cruz disaster "Woman on Top" about magical love pepper was better.Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.