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Poster for Provoked: A True Story

Provoked: A True Story

2007 · 1h 27m · Not Rated Drama
Directed by Jag Mundhra

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Overview

Provoked is the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, a Punjabi woman who moved to London after her marriage with Deepak Ahluwalia. Her husband seemed caring at first but then began to beat her up. He started drinking a lot and sleeping around with other women. he also subjected her to spousal rape. After ten years and having two children with him, out of fear, she sets him on fire.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
28%
Tomatometer
Rotten

The real-life heroes in this story deserve better than a formulaic, poorly shot melodrama.

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Rotten

The script is melodramatic, and Rai's lead performance is thin stuff.

Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle
Rotten

[Director] Mundhra can't control the expansiveness of the melodrama or focus on the terseness of realism. Every character in Provoked, from victims to tyrants, Indian to English, loud to quiet, ends up as a grossly exaggerated comic creation.

Kamal Al-Solaylee, Globe and Mail
Rotten

Provoked rarely ducks below its glossy surface.

Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Rotten

The true-crime drama Provoked has everything to offer except a cinematic point of view and a knack for depicting human beings under duress. Those are major drawbacks.

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

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