Bicycle Bride

I thought the film was very well written. I remember laughing throughout the movie. If I had to critique it, I would say the story could have moved a little faster. I felt that it was crawling along at times. Perhaps speeding the end up would move the story along and keep the entertainment value high throughout the entire film.

Overall though, I think Bicycle Bride is a fun and delightful movie. I would recommend it to anyone wants to learn a bit about Indian culture, but still wants to find a few laughs along the way. This movie definitely succeeds in intertwining relevant issues with comedic anecdotes and romantic undertones.

Bicycle Bride is a smart, witty and educational film that sheds a much-needed positive light on Muslim culture in the United States. It features a pretty girl, a handsome boy and an overbearing mother that would give Darth Vader a run for his money! Americans have the benefit of freedom when picking a husband or wife. Some do it online while others do it the old fashioned way. For Muslims, dating is about as acceptable as drinking alcohol or noshing on a little pork. They just don't do it. Parents pick their children's spouses, like American girls buy clothes. Shocking I know, but that's the reality. Bicycle Bride is a clash of cultures, east vs. west, tradition vs. modernity and liberty vs. servitude. This film covers a lot of ground in both an entertaining and touching way. Most importantly, Bicycle Bride gives us a refreshing window into one of the world's most important religions.

Bicycle Bride is a combination of traditional-modern, fun-serious, nice-naughty (but still PG), colorful-gray scale!!! Nice polish by writer-director-producer Hassan Zee--illuminating his zest for life, his verve to create, and his endless reservoirs of energy! Great job by cast and crew!!! The flavor of East is portrayed very well even though the movie is set in the West, and is conveniently represented in the English language. Night of Henna was Hassan's first film--and it was a superb delight in cinematography, and yet Bicycle Bride is no less of a visual confection. Bicycle Bride indeed enhances the theme that is Hassan Zee's passion--one of showing how unity can be achieved. Unity is indeed Hassan's Mantra--peaceful unity of East and West, Traditional and Present day. He attempts successfully to fight ignorance and superstition with wisdom and compassion. Love has to win over Hate. Cross-cultural bounds have to be broken. The Bride must arrive on the eastern bicycle tradition, but not to be Man's chattel, but to win the marathons of the world!

Bicycle Bride is an independent film full of life, love and laughter. The story takes place in scenic San Francisco where Beena, an Indian-American girl (played by Melanie Kannokada) falls for James Dean (Andreas Wilson), a Swedish man. Although Beena and James deeply care for one another, Beena's family has other plans for her. Beena's mother has arranged for her to marry an Indian man named Bubba. The conflict between Indian tradition and western feminism sets the table for this riotous comedic gem.

However, Bicycle Bride is much more than a romantic comedy - it is also a social commentary about gender roles in the Indian culture and the tradition of arranged marriage.

So go see Bicycle Bride! It will make you smile, it will make you laugh and it might even make you think!

My boyfriend took me to a screening of the film a few weeks back and, I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed Bicycle Bride. It was lighthearted and zany at times, but it was also very touching at others. Apparently, the tradition of arranged marriage is still alive and well in the US. I had no idea until seeing this film that the practice was so common here. It was interesting to see dynamic between the main character Beena and her traditional Indian mother as they seek out happiness for themselves and for each other.

While at the screening, I had the pleasure of meeting the Director of the film, Dr. Hassan Zee. Dr. Zee's story is truly inspirational. Before moving to the States He was a practicing doctor in a burn unit in Pakistan. While working at the burn unit he met several women who set fire to themselves because they felt they had shamed their families. When Dr. Zee came to America to pursue his dreams of being a filmmaker, he brought the memories of those he helped along with him.

It is evident from my brief encounter with Dr. Zee that he is an impassioned individual with a great appreciation for life. This passion reverberates throughout his film Bicycle Bride. The film is about love and relationships but it is also a lesson in courage and female empowerment. Bicycle Bride is smart, sweet, funny, and above all… super entertaining!