Watch A Suitable Girl

A Suitable Girl is a 2017 documentary that captures the ordeals of three young Indian women as they navigate the country's societal norms of marriages and relationships. The documentary explores the delicate balance between modernity and tradition in India, evident in the lives of these young women whose families are in search of a suitable groom for them.

Sima Taparia, the go-to matchmaker for affluent Indian families, is the central figure of the film. Sima Taparia is a Mumbai-based matchmaker who has been in the business for decades. Sima is known for her steadfast belief that compatibility should be the top priority in any marriage. She is also a firm believer in the traditional Indian matchmaking system where parents and families play a significant role in finding suitable matches.

The documentary mostly follows the lives of three women. Dipti is one of them, a well-educated and ambitious woman looking for a partner who shares her vision for an equal partnership, something that seems difficult to find in the traditional matchmaking process. Ritu, the second woman, is constantly pressured to get married by her family. Despite having her own aspirations, her family's constant interference in her life to find a husband is coming in between her education and career. The third woman, Amrita, was already married once, which was an abusive and emotionally devastating experience. Her family is trying to find a suitable match for her, but she is wary of taking the plunge again.

The documentary provides a glimpse into the intricate and complicated process of matchmaking in India. It's not just about finding a partner but also finding a partner within a particular social and economic class. The documentary also highlights the dichotomy of traditional versus modern ideals, which is ultimately what these women are grappling with.

There are several poignant moments during the film, including when Dipti’s father dismisses her idea of finding a partner through social media platforms and calls it "disgraceful." In another instance, Ritu's parents put her on a matrimonial website without her consent, which she vehemently opposes. These moments highlight the generational clash that exists within society and families, where parents are stuck in traditional belief systems while their children are aspiring for more modern ideals.

A Suitable Girl also sheds light on the prospect of arranged marriages, a practice that is popular in many parts of the world, especially in South Asian communities. Through the perspectives of Sima Taparia and the families of these women, the documentary delves into the reasons behind the preference for arranged marriages. The documentary also acknowledges the flaws and limitations of a system that operates within societal hierarchies, such as class, caste, and gender restrictions.

What sets A Suitable Girl apart from other documentaries is that it refrains from making any overtly political or social commentary. Instead, it portrays the lives of these women with empathy and sensitivity, allowing the audience to draw their conclusions. The documentary neither glorifies nor vilifies the tradition of arranged marriages but instead provides insight into why and how they occur. It's a candid portrayal of the challenges and complexities that women face in navigating marriage in a society that values tradition and conformity over personal agency.

In conclusion, A Suitable Girl is a poignant and eye-opening documentary that provides a glimpse into the reality of modern Indian matchmaking. The documentary navigates sensitive topics like class, caste, and gender restrictions without taking any predetermined stance on the issue. Through the experiences of these young women, the documentary questions societal norms and encourages conversations about the future of marriage and relationships in India.

A Suitable Girl is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.