Meet the Patels (2014)

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

I watched this movie one rainy afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. I appreciated Mr. Patel's character's desire to embrace the two clashing cultures and try to make them work for him. I live in a fairly rural area and don't get to meet a lot of Asians but am fascinated with other cultures. This movie revealed an aspect of a culture I probably will never get to experience. I highly recommend this movie.

This very cute movie follows Indian actor Ravi Patel's adventures in dating, as, after breaking up with his adorably geeky white girlfriend he allows his parents to usher him into the world of Indian semi-arranged marriage, dating women all over the country as his sister documents his adventure and chats with him as both sister and interrogator.The elaborate dating system he enters is quite interesting, and his eager-to-help parents are lovely people. The movie has a number of cute animated sequences, and as the movie progresses we learn a little about the behind-camera sister's own dating life.One thing about this movie - I'm not sure I like Ravi all that much. He comes across as an overly picky commitment-phobe whose vision of the ideal influences the way he treats women. He's not terrible, the movie does confront this issues to some extent, and I appreciate that he was willing to show himself this honestly, but still, I was a bit put off by him at times.Still, this is informative and funny and nicely paced.

You don't have to be Indian to appreciate this extremely funny movie but you will laugh even more if you are! Geeta and Ravi have done a fantastic job of documenting the arranged marriage 'process' with much respect (their parents will be happy to hear that), insight, humor, and raw honesty. I'm amazed at how vulnerable they both let themselves be. Their parents come across as the kind of parents we all wish we had. And the parents' marriage? You'll wish you had that too. The movie captures the challenge of growing up in two cultures. You actually find yourself rooting for Ravi to make the right choice--while I thought he did, the friend with whom I watched the movie wasn't so sure! This movie can certainly kickstart some interesting discussions on marriage, love and shared values.

I hope everyone goes out to see this film when it opens in late September. We were lucky enough to see it in our film club a few weeks ago and it rated the highest of any film we've seen! It's one of those stories anyone can relate to, but its about a young Indian man trying to find his soul mate, who decides to give "arranged marriage, Indian-style" a try. It mostly shows how much alike we all are and the film is hugely funny! There was a Q&A session afterwards with the whole family on Skype and it was nearly as good as the film! The parents are hilarious!! The film was made by their son and his sister, so was a family project and began as footage from a family vacation. What they did with that is amazing! Please go see this and take your family and be prepared for lots of fun!!