Director Mira Nair's ("Mississippi Masala") lush and erotic drama, set in pre-colonial India, follows a princess's beautiful serving girl who is trained in the ways of lovemaking and becomes courtesan to the princess's husband, a powerful ruler, until her forbidden affair with a sculptor leads to disaster. Indira Varma, Naveen Andrews, Ramon Tikaram star. Uncut, unrated version; 114 min. Standard and Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary by Nair; filmography; theatrical trailer.

An epic adaptation of Isabel Allende's acclaimed novel follows the romantic and political turmoil faced by a South American family over a 50-year period. Jeremy Irons is the rancher patriarch of the clan; Meryl Streep is his wife; and Winona Ryder is their daughter, who falls in love with revolutionary Antonio Banderas. With Glenn Close, Armin Mueller-Stahl and Vanessa Redgrave. 109 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Surround; production notes; biographies; scene access.