City of Joy (1992)

In the heart of bustling Calcutta, two contrasting worlds fatefully collide. The Pal family - Hazari, Kamla, and their three children, Amrita, Shambu and Manooj - find themselves homeless after losing their farm to a relentless money lender. Meanwhile, Max Lowe, a disillusioned surgeon from Houston, flees his career and an unyielding emotional toll, seeking spiritual enlightenment in the same city. Both parties, seeking a fresh start, find their destinies intertwined within the labyrinthine lanes of the slum known as the City of Joy. The Pals, determined to forge a better life and secure a dowry for their marriageable daughter, Amrita, endure a series of setbacks, including being swindled by a cunning con-man, Gangooly. On the other hand, Max, grappling with his own demons, finds himself reluctantly drawn into the fold of the City of Joy Clinic and School. This makeshift haven of hope is fiercely nurtured by the tenacious Irishwoman, Joy Bethel, who had ventured to Calcutta on a whim and then made it her mission to serve. The lives of the Pals, Max, and Joy delicately interweave, facing the trials and tribulations of slum life, from navigating the corrupt rickshaw services operated by the notorious Ghatak family, to extending their compassion and care to a nearby leper colony, despite the stigma and fear associated with the disease. Their struggles are further intensified as they grapple with the ruthless Ghatak clan, who control the neighborhood with an iron fist, demanding "protection money" from businesses and residents alike. As the neighborhood reels under the tyranny of the Ghatak patriarch and his volatile son, Ashok, the very existence of the City of Joy, its clinic, and its inhabitants hangs in the balance. The resilience of the Pals, the transformation of Max, and the unwavering spirit of Joy herself, form the beating heart of this vivid tale of survival, hope, and the unstoppable pursuit of a better life amidst adversity. In the face of formidable challenges, the question remains, will the City of Joy retain its essence, or will the 'joy' of living in Calcutta be ruthlessly snuffed out by the unfolding chaos? This kaleidoscope of human experience in the face of cataclysmic trials, triumphs, and tragedies, forms the compelling narrative of the City of Joy.

City of Joy is a drama movie featuring Patrick Swayze.

City of Joy is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

It is also possible to buy City of Joy on AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.