Dr. Cabbie

Dr. Cabbie is an ambitious, earnestly written film with a thought provoking, culturally relevant premise. Canadians have often heard of the taxi-driving doctor, especially in the context of medical shortages, and this film attempted to address the issue in an approachable manner. It has all the elements of a classic story: the handsome, charming lead who just wants to help people, a beautiful love interest and single mother, a kooky sidekick and an evil villain with political ambitions. The story occasionally faltered (especially with respect to the politician's storyline and the scenes with him and his father) and it often went for the cheap laughs - slapstick and all - but Dr. Cabbie did so with such enthusiasm that one couldn't help but enjoy the ride!

Went to the advance screening in Vancouver and had a really good time. The movie is light and funny and had the audience in splits. I'd put this up there with the Harold & Kumar movies - zany comedies with no great intellectual pretences and made purely so the audiences can have 100 minutes of fun and belly laughs. While all the cast members including lead players Vinay Virmani and Adrianne Palicki do a fine job, the surprise package is Kunal Nayyar, better known as Raj. Big Bang Theory fans you're in for a special treat! The story takes the issue of non-recognition of IMGs or International Medical Graduates from many countries not being allowed to practice in Canada despite a shortage of doctors, head on. But mercifully it does so without getting preachy. While the presence of two artists of Indian origin may tempt people to think it will appeal only to a certain demographic, I think Dr. Cabbie is the kind of movie that will be enjoyed by ALL of Canada.

Deepak Veer Chopra (Vinay Virmani) is an eager new doctor in Delhi, India hoping to follow in his late father's footsteps. He emigrates to Toronto with his mother where his accreditation is not recognized. Her brother Vijay and his wife Rani are their sponsors. He befriends cabbie Tony (Kunal Nayyar) and becomes a cabbie himself. He starts treating many of his fares. He falls for coffee girl Natalie Wilman (Adrianne Palicki) and delivers her baby in his cab. Her playboy baby daddy Colin (Chris Diamantopoulos) is running to be mayor.

This is perfectly nice with really broad humor. It's a little too broad at times and a little too serious at other times. Vinay is a perfectly nice new actor. There are a few recognizable faces in the cast. This is all perfectly nice but it won't break through in America. First, the lead is a nobody. Second, it takes place in Toronto. Neither of which excites an audience. This may be a nice film but nothing exceptional.

Dr Cabbie was surprisingly not all that bad. It didn't follow the terrible and cheesy formula like many Hollywood-Indian type films. It had some deep moments and substance. We see a struggling Doctor trying to make it in Canada who finds love due to a woman giving birth in his cab. He later starts giving medical advice and service to customers. When things seem to be going well with his menial job and relationships his life takes a downward turn. It was a nice twist.

The cheesy dance routine at the end was unnecessary and not needed as were the silly bollywood references throughout the film. It had enough depth to make it on its own. Its a film about Indian people and culture in Canada, we get it. Kunal Nayyar was horrendous, he cannot act and is simply not funny. He should stick to portraying inaccurate Indian stereotypes in unfunny sitcoms. Overall not a bad film and passable. You will tolerate watching it but not likely remember it in years to come. I wish they would stop making brainless and diminishing Hollywood Indian related films to serve up to an ignorant western audience, this film was a good departure from that horrible pattern.

I enjoyed this film. Canada must be a great place to live. I saw that it differed from LA in that the people were nicer and cooler. I think everyone in LA is uptight, and it's always about doing better than everyone else. In a sense, it's fun. It's all about finding the one and going from there.

This movie has plenty of romantic connections. It's a Indian doctor, whose degree doesn't crossover when he moves to Canada. So he starts doing medical treatments out of a cab.

It's a fun time. The Indian guy from Big Bang Theory is in this, and he plays the cool ladies man type.

It's definitely not great, but I enjoyed it

4 stars