When Harry Tries to Marry

I'm big into independent films so I'd been following the development of this movie since my friend saw it in Austin and told me about it. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you take it for what it is- a lighthearted romantic comedy- you should walk away feeling like it was time well spent. It's shot beautifully, the colors are really nice and I loved a lot of the music. It starts off a little slow but by the middle of it, I found myself engrossed. Some of the acting was a little so so but I loved the supporting characters, especially the parents! It was also nice to see a romantic comedy from the guy's perspective for once...gives us a break from the stereotypical mopey girl- let the guy mope for once.

This was a hybrid movie, a very rare kind, more like a cultural crash where east meets west. The movie was all about a young Indian student Harish alias Harry who lives in the United States. When his parents' love marriage broke Harry decides to get marry arranged by his parents and relative like Indian culture. It is a long process, while everything going right direction an American girl fall for him from the very beginning which tumbles his heart. He tries his best to not to fall back to her and what happen next is the rest of the story.

The movie was colourful. Music was very good and some tunes were catchy. All in all it was completely a fun movie and sad that many people won't get it. You no need to familiar with both the cultures to understand. The movie was a fun debate between 'love marriage' and 'arranged marriage'. And what wins at the end is to know you should see the movie.

Everyone looked awesome in their own way. I thought another Keira Knightley (debuted in 'Bend it like Beckham') is on making after seeing a character played by Theresa. Harry was good like a typical Indian character and so his parents and uncle as well cute Nita. A simple entertainment about cross- culture, good to be watched at once.

7/10

Harry is a handsome and very nice Indian-American geek. He is lonely and would like to marry, but is afraid to marry a woman in the traditional western way. His Indian parents married for love and now hate each other. But, all the Indians Harry knows with arranged marriages seem very happy. So, he decides to call an uncle back in India and see if he can find him a bride.

In the meantime, Harry and his friend meet a couple nice American girls at the same college. They spend a lot of time together and VERY soon it's obvious that Harry and Theresa are falling in love....and Harry's uncle calls to say he's found the perfect match for him. The Indian bride-to-be is very, very much like Harry. So what will happen next? Romantic comedies are predictable. This is NOT meant as an insult. The viewer knows that the two main characters will get together by the end of the film--it's just the nature of the beast. How they do this is what makes the films sweet--and why people come back to them again and again. And, incidentally, romance novels outsell all other genres. So the fact that "When Harry Tries to Marry" is very predictable isn't a bad thing. However, for a really good rom-com, there is one thing this one misses--it should not be 100% obvious to the characters that they will get together by the end of the film. After a short time, it's OBVIOUS that there is a serious love connection between Harry and Theresa--so obvious and yet they never talk about it and avoid it through much of the film...too obvious. And, on top of this, they are well-educated and supposedly smart people. Now this does not mean it's a bad film--I just think the love between the two of them should have either been much more subtle or bloomed much later in the film.

Despite this, the film still is quite nice--especially when you consider that the movie was made by a novice director. Currently it has an IMDb score of only 3.5--which would make you think it's a terrible movie--which it isn't. While I am not as excited about the film as the other reviewers, it is a very good film. VERY predictable (even for a rom-com) but still well worth your time (though the scene with the water at the end could have been done better).

It is interesting that this is yet another film by a westernized Indian director (Nayan Padrai)--in his first film. Mira Nair, Gurinder Chadha and Deepa Mehta are Indian women who make similar hybrid films--showing the clash between traditional and western values and cultures. And, all make very well-made films and you really should try to catch as many of their films as you can (especially Mehta's). These films are a nice bridge between the Bollywood (or Tamilwood) style and western films--and make a nice introduction to the genre.

Finally get to watch the movie that I have been waiting for. It is pleasant and beautiful.

It is not your typical romantic movie. It is an experience and an adventure that takes you to explore the beautiful people, colorful culture and the amazing country of India.

For those who have not watch the movie, watch the trailer and get the movie. Do not take the rating as an discouragement, because you will enjoy this movie.

Thanks Nayan and 108 Production for the amazing movie, and I look forward to the next movie.

Van

I saw the film on i tunes last night because I missed it when it opened in theaters. I wasn't expecting too much and was pleasantly surprised. The film is really funny and sweet, and for someone like me who isn't a big romantic comedy fan, it worked with the genre. The $3.99 on i tunes was well worth it but I wish I had seen it on the big screen because the cinematography is so colorful and beautifully shot. For an indie they got some amazing locations and sets. Overall the film is full of fresh talent, nice music and an unusual story that gives you insight into the Indian culture and I understand now why some Indians who live in the neighborhood get arranged marriages. The lead actress is also stunning, as is most of the cast of newcomers. The last film with an Indian theme that I really liked was Bend it Like Beckham which had Kiera Knightly in her first movie and this feels like another one of those star-birthing films.