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American Chai (2002)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:21
Fresh:11
Rotten:10
Average Rating:5.6/10
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
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Reviews for American Chai
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.
A spiffy romantic comedy about how love can be a catalyst to self-esteem and answering an artistic calling.
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.
In its understanding, often funny way, it tells a story whose restatement is validated by the changing composition of the nation.
The funniest, most unabashadly goofy indie film to come out in quite some time.
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.
Due to some script weaknesses and the casting of the director's brother, the film trails off into inconsequentiality.
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.
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.
[It's] difficult to get beyond the overall blandness of American Chai, despite its likable performances and refreshingly naive point of view.
By now, I've seen far too many American indie movies with similar semi-autobiographical subjects.
American Chai encourages rueful laughter at stereotypes only an Indian-American would recognize. And the lesson, in the end, is nothing new.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 84% 84% | The Princess and the Frog | 12/11 |
| 89% 89% | A Single Man | 12/11 |
| 57% 57% | The Lovely Bones | 12/11 |
| 90% 90% | Invictus | 12/11 |
| | Avatar | 12/18 |
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