ABCD

I have never been a fan of Indian Movies, and probably never will be (and I am Indian too). But this movie steers us into a different direction that is very daring and new.

I found out about it from 2 Indian girls waiting in a line up with me at a Pasta Bar in Vancouver. BOth were University students who are a part of the Indian-Students-Club...or something like that, and I overheard them gossiping about this movie. Then I asked a few questions, then BAM, I went out and rented it less than 24 hours later to watch with my girlfriend (who loves Hindi Movies!)

ABCD addresses the probelems of many second generation Indians who are American born and think they are too good for their own type. They become assimilated into the American sub-culture at such a young age, that they have no sense of identity, and their proud roots are lost at a very tender age. And the sad thing is that they have no interest in regaining them ever.

This movie stars Sheetal Seth (sp), as she plays the troublesome daughter Meena. She does a great job of playing a complete mean bitch with no manners who is rude and overly defensive to anyone she encounters. She plays a very confused woman who is too afraid to get hurt at the point where she wont' even give anyone a chance. This is so true of girls here (even where I live in Vancouver, Canada.....where we have a large Indian Population.) She sleeps with 3 different men in this movie, which is something that is forbidden in the traditional Indian Cinema....so this movie really departs from the typical Indian movie.

All in All, it is a great film that is worth watching, but don't expect to laugh as it has a few very sad moments in it. It is a serious film for those who can handle it, as Hindi movies are known to be very sad at times. But this one isn't fabricated like the traditional Bollywood movies that have a habit of laying it on too thick! Enjoy.

Nina is a girl who wants to forget her Indian heritage and embrace generic American life. She is quite rude to her mother, who only wants what is best for her, and Ashok, a nice Indian man tying to woo her. Nina certainly has a chip on her shoulder and comes across as a bitch and a slut. (I liked the part when she tells the Indian at the newsstand not to talk to her because she is of a higher caste. He later tells Ashok "She's been in this country too long. She's a whore, that's what happens to them.") Ashok digs into why she is so cold and resistant, but again she puts up a wall. Some scenes are moving, but are often glossed over, like a certain death and breakup. The film has no resolution, Nina gets her perfect white wedding and has learns nothing you would have expected her to. Her brother Raj, who seemingly has it all together, a good job, a loving fiancé, throws it all away and we don't exactly learn why. While the film is an interesting portrait the struggle of first-generation Americans, it is ultimately disappointing.

i've been watching a lot of western-type indian movies recently, and ABCD has got to be the worst of them all. Although Bombay Boys was pretty stupid, and American Desi was just silly, they are much more polished than this movie. the number of inconsistencies in the movie are astounding. as the name name of the movie suggests, one would assume the characters are born in america. they're not. it is unclear at which point the children came to america, and it's even hard to tell from their accents. the choices of the main characters do not seem realistic, and their actions leave the audience with a bad taste in their mouths. if you choose to watch this film, take a pad and pen with you, so you can log all of the inconsistencies. it'll be fun.

This movie is too real for most people. Its not politically correct, its not meant to please, it doesn't showcase happily-ever-after. Its shows a slice of life for a certain subgroup of immigrants who are trapped between cultures. Its not that they are confused about which side they belong. Whats more true is that they know they don't belong anywhere, except to each other. They belong to the no-man's land, where there are no clearly defined cultural norms. And that creates confusion. Their life is perceived by others as a yo-yo. Some deal with that with externalized anger, others disengage and lose it. Life seems like an attempt to put together a broken mirror, while each broken part is still a whole mirror and the integration seems impossible.

This movie is serious and it doesn't claim to solve the problems. But, movies are an experience to entertain, this is not entertainment. This is like watching my kid sister in one of her bad moments of life. There is not even a glimmer of hope anywhere.