Flavors (2004)

This is light fare, but it draws its strength from a strong ensemble cast, in the spirit of Love Actually, and the sweetness of its characters.

By the end the whole thing feels a little like those ubiquitous $10.95 all-you-can-eat Indian lunch buffets. You can't walk away denying that it was extensive -- or even filling. But neither can you particularly remember any of the dishes you were served.

It's an independent film about a specific culture that manages to bring that experience to life for any viewer in a funny, heartfelt, engaging way.

Unevenness in tone and the film's reliance on stereotypes is not uncommon to first feature films, and writers and directors Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. don't help their cause with dialogue that too often asks questions like 'What is life without love?'

Despite an appealing cast, the result has all the pizazz of processed cheese.

It's not perfect, but writer-directors Krishna D.K. and Raj Nidimoru deliver some pointed observations and well-drawn characters in their first feature-length film.

Pic lacks density and spontaneity necessary to lift it out of its carefully posed and plotted set-ups and onto a bigscreen.