Rating: Not Rated
Movie Release Date: October 01, 2008
DVD Release Date: April 7, 2009
Plot 411: A half Pakistani/half Caucasian guy has lived with an identity crisis his entire life and is finally able to confront this when he meets a girl just like him.
Review: This was an interesting rom com because there were definitely deeper issues involved besides the normal love triangles. Ray (Zachary Levi) has lived his entire life questioning who he is. Is he Pakistani (aka brown) like his father (Brian George) or Caucasian (aka white) like his mother (Kathy Baker)? He cannot answer this question, but he realizes that he's different from everyone else. This makes him feel alone. In his effort to categorize himself, he also puts others into compartments as well. Ray distances himself from his Pakistani side and does not like to acknowledge it because this is what has made him different. When he asks his girlfriend Noel (Bonnie Somerville) to marry him, she doesn't give him an answer right away. During his time in wedding limbo, Ray's father introduces him to a Pakistani girl named Sana (Sarah Shahi) who is also half Caucasian. For the first time in his life, Ray finds someone like him and instantly feels connected to her. These feelings quickly complicate matters as he now struggles to redefine himself and his future. The issues of race and self-identity are introduced in a humorous manner allowing the audience to ease into the discussion. However, I suppose because we live in Hawaii we're a lot more tolerant of mixed races than other places. It just doesn't seem to be as big a deal here. Still, Ray's self-doubt and the angst he feels because of the pressure he receives from his father is universal. This movie is also unique because it comes from a male point of view.
Watch It: For a rare ethnic rom com that deals with interracial relationships and self-identity.
Skip It: If you're easily offended by racial jokes and stereotyping.
Movie Release Date: October 01, 2008
DVD Release Date: April 7, 2009
Plot 411: A half Pakistani/half Caucasian guy has lived with an identity crisis his entire life and is finally able to confront this when he meets a girl just like him.
Review: This was an interesting rom com because there were definitely deeper issues involved besides the normal love triangles. Ray (Zachary Levi) has lived his entire life questioning who he is. Is he Pakistani (aka brown) like his father (Brian George) or Caucasian (aka white) like his mother (Kathy Baker)? He cannot answer this question, but he realizes that he's different from everyone else. This makes him feel alone. In his effort to categorize himself, he also puts others into compartments as well. Ray distances himself from his Pakistani side and does not like to acknowledge it because this is what has made him different. When he asks his girlfriend Noel (Bonnie Somerville) to marry him, she doesn't give him an answer right away. During his time in wedding limbo, Ray's father introduces him to a Pakistani girl named Sana (Sarah Shahi) who is also half Caucasian. For the first time in his life, Ray finds someone like him and instantly feels connected to her. These feelings quickly complicate matters as he now struggles to redefine himself and his future. The issues of race and self-identity are introduced in a humorous manner allowing the audience to ease into the discussion. However, I suppose because we live in Hawaii we're a lot more tolerant of mixed races than other places. It just doesn't seem to be as big a deal here. Still, Ray's self-doubt and the angst he feels because of the pressure he receives from his father is universal. This movie is also unique because it comes from a male point of view.
Watch It: For a rare ethnic rom com that deals with interracial relationships and self-identity.
Skip It: If you're easily offended by racial jokes and stereotyping.
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