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Movies / Upcoming / American Chai
American Chai

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American Chai (2002)

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52 %
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Reviews Counted:21

Fresh:11

Rotten:10

Average Rating:5.6/10

Rated: R [See Full Rating] some sexual dialogue

Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Apr 5, 2002 Limited

Synopsis: An Indian-American college kid, Sureel (Aalok Mehta), is pressured by his parents to be a doctor, though he dreams of becoming a musician. He has obvious musical talent. He sings, composes, and... An Indian-American college kid, Sureel (Aalok Mehta), is pressured by his parents to be a doctor, though he dreams of becoming a musician. He has obvious musical talent. He sings, composes, and plays many instruments, but he hides his passion from his family because he's afraid they won't accept him. When his band kicks him out for always showing up late, and his girlfriend dumps him, Sureel has to reevaluate his priorities. He meets a beautiful Indian-American dancer, Maya (Sheetal Sheth), who's proud of her Indian heritage. Through her dance, she shows him that her dance style has a unique creative flair that fuses both Indian and American cultural dance traditions to wonderful and beautiful effect. As Sureel becomes more in touch with his identity and prepares to enter the adult world, he realizes that he must stand up for his interests and follow his dreams, no matter what the cost. Paresh Rawal, who plays Sureel's father, is a famous actor in the cinema of Bombay, India (known as Bollywood) and the scenes between him and Sureel are some of the best in the film. For his debut feature, Anurag Mehta directs his brother Aalok Mehta, who also wrote some of the music. [More]

Starring: Aalok Mehta, Sheetal Sheth, Aasif Mandvi, Josh Ackerman

Starring: Aalok Mehta, Sheetal Sheth, Aasif Mandvi, Josh Ackerman, Ajay Naidu, Paresh Rawal

Director: Anurag Mehta

Director: Anurag Mehta
Screenwriter: Anurag Mehta
Producer: Taylor MacCrae
Studio: Wildcard Releasing

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for American Chai

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating)
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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat

Though the climactic revelation and resolution is expected, the film is full of fresh and unexpected observations about the cross-culturally complex lives of second-generation Indians living in the U.S.

comment Comment
04/04/02
David Ehrenstein
David Ehrenstein
New Times

A spiffy romantic comedy about how love can be a catalyst to self-esteem and answering an artistic calling.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
04/05/02
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

Plays like a toddler running along a lumpy field, stumbling every few feet but always getting back up and eventually reaching his destination, unharmed and happy.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/21/02
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Enormously likable first feature from writer-director Anurag Mehta.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
04/05/02
Ken Fox
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A perceptive, good-natured movie.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
04/05/02
Kevin Thomas
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

In its understanding, often funny way, it tells a story whose restatement is validated by the changing composition of the nation.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
04/04/02
Lawrence Van Gelder
Lawrence Van Gelder
New York Times

A slight but sweet film.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
04/05/02
Megan Turner
Megan Turner
New York Post

The funniest, most unabashadly goofy indie film to come out in quite some time.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Merle Bertrand
Merle Bertrand
Film Threat

The movie is amateurish, but it's a minor treat.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
04/05/02
Paul Clinton (Boxoffice)
Paul Clinton (Boxoffice)
Boxoffice Magazine

The picture uses humor and a heartfelt conviction to tell a story about discovering your destination in life, but also acknowledging the places, and the people, from whence you came.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
04/18/02
Steven Rea
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer

This worldly dramedy can't overcome its jolting amateur vibe.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
04/05/02
E! Online

Due to some script weaknesses and the casting of the director's brother, the film trails off into inconsequentiality.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
04/30/02
David Noh
David Noh
Film Journal International

This ethnic family sitcom thing is rapidly turning into wearisome cliche, and American Chai doesn't hold a candle to either Beckham or Greek Wedding.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
11/14/03
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As earnest as a community-college advertisement, American Chai is enough to make you put away the guitar, sell the amp, and apply to medical school.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
04/02/02
Ed Park
Ed Park
Village Voice

[It's] difficult to get beyond the overall blandness of American Chai, despite its likable performances and refreshingly naive point of view.

Full Review Source: Detroit Free Press | comment Comment
06/07/02
John Monaghan
John Monaghan
Detroit Free Press

An inexperienced director, Mehta has much to learn.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
04/15/02
Kirk Honeycutt
Kirk Honeycutt
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Chai's structure and pacing are disconcertingly slack.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
10/07/02
Mark Olsen
Mark Olsen
L.A. Weekly

By now, I've seen far too many American indie movies with similar semi-autobiographical subjects.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
07/20/02
Michael Wilmington
Michael Wilmington
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

American Chai encourages rueful laughter at stereotypes only an Indian-American would recognize. And the lesson, in the end, is nothing new.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
05/16/02
Rasmi Simhan
Rasmi Simhan
Dallas Morning News
 
 
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