The Other End of the Line

A routine American romantic comedy working with the most primitive skeleton of its genre. There’s seemingly nothing to surprise or delight us with. However, admirers may be delighted by the literal quotations with an emphasis on a story about two different cultures, while passers-by shouldn’t be offended by anything the film has to offer. There is no shortage of programmatically-drawn characters, including a choleric dad, loyal girlfriends, and from an American perspective, a typically extended Indian family. Given that I have a soft spot for pretty Indian faces and non-aggressive romantic humor, which is not as intrusive as the classics with Hugh Grant, then I can give it a very good review. And if this film makes audiences veer toward Bollywood productions, it has accomplished its mission to perfection. In addition to the main magical duo (there really was very little missing and a finale reaching the ending of the first Crocodile Dundee), the film features an interesting cast including Sara Foster from the new 90210 and Anupam Kher, who is a universal representation of perhaps every Indian-American father from Bend It Like Beckham to Bride and Prejudice. (25.01.2010)