HBO Max has one of the best Denzel Washington movies that you've (probably) never seen — and it's a must-watch

I'm now in week 10 of my Denzel Watchathon, which has brought me to "Mississippi Masala." If you are discovering this ongoing series for the first time, I'm going through every one of Denzel's 52 movies, one per week, throughout 2026. I'm starting with 1981's "Carbon Copy" and ending with last year's "Highest 2 Lowest," another Denzel/Spike Lee joint. This week, I'm reviewing this 1991 romantic drama starring Washington and Sarita Choudhury as star-crossed lovers trying to make it work.

Weirdly, when I think of Denzel movies, this one always comes to mind. Maybe it's the alliteration of the title, but it's odd that this nearly 35-year-old film, which made a mere $7.3 million, sticks in my head so much.

That said, while most people probably haven't seen this movie, those who have have almost universally praised it. It won a few awards and is currently rated 92% fresh by critics on Rotten Tomatoes. But more importantly, it was made part of The Criterion Collection in 2022, and any cinephile will tell you that's a coveted stamp of approval for any movie.

If you want to watch this movie before you read on, I've got great news. Not only is "Mississippi Masala" available on one of the best streaming services, but it's on HBO Max, which is currently our top-rated streamer. Plus, it's just under two hours long, so it's easily digestible for a drama that dives into serious historical and societal issues.

Malcolm McMillan

Malcolm has been with the Streaming team at Tom's Guide since 2023, reviewing dozens of movies each year so you don't have to watch the bad ones.

'Mississippi Masala' tells two worthwhile stories, but should have focused on just one

Since many of you reading this probably haven't seen it, here's the quick rundown on "Mississippi Masala." Directed by Mira Nair, it centers on Mina (Choudhury), an Ugandan Indian living in exile in Greenwood, Mississippi, with her parents, Jay (Roshan Seth) and Kinnu (Sharmila Tagore). She's expected to eventually marry one of the local Indian men, but her romantic plans are totally upended when she rear-ends the carpet cleaning van of Demetrius (Washington), a local Black man.

While this movie is primarily focused on their love story, it's nearly equally invested in telling the story of the expulsion of South Asians from Uganda.

Nair herself isn't part of this part of the Indian diaspora, but while researching this movie, she met a Ugandan Indian named Mahmood Mamdani, who was expelled from the country in 1972, just like Mina and her family are in "Mississippi Masala." They'd marry the same year the movie was released in theaters, and later that year she gave birth to their son, Zohran, who is now the Mayor of New York City.

That's an interesting aside to say the least, and that gets at the heart of this movie's biggest strength and weakness. Investigating the expulsion of Ugandan Indians is genuinely interesting. So too is examining the unique and the universal complications an interracial couple in 1980s Mississippi would face, even when both are from minority groups. This movie makes a concerted effort not to merely examine racism, but colorism as well, something few mainstream movies touch.

Unfortunately, "Mississippi Masala" would be better served focusing on just one of these topics, or at the very least, heavily leaning into just one.

Given Denzel and Choudhury's instant chemistry, I'd have chosen to lean into that and let the backdrop of the Ugandan expulsion lurk in the background until it rears its ugly head at the climactic moment. It's still important to have Mina's father's experiences in Uganda impact how he feels about her relationship with Demetrius, but a love story about those two shouldn't end with her father returning to Uganda for a moment of self-realization.

Verdict: A surprisingly digestible drama despite its subject matter

Mississippi Masala - U.S. Re-Release Trailer (2022) - YouTube

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Setting aside the negative mark of this movie not spending enough time on its core romance, it's still a very good movie. And, at just under two hours, it's surprisingly quickly paced and digestible for a film that looks to unpack so many complex things.

Plus, the moments we do get of Demetrius and Mina together are well worth the price of admission. You want them to work out, you want their friends and family to support them, and you find yourself rooting against or disappointed in anyone who gets in their way. It's genuinely devastating when they run into hardship. It's heartbreaking when Demetrius seemingly gives up on them ever working out.

So, if you've never seen "Mississippi Masala," set aside 118 minutes this weekend and check it out on HBO Max. It's a Denzel movie that I promise you won't regret watching.

Watch "Mississippi Masala" on HBO Max now

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