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If your family is like "Leave It to Beaver" except that you swear at each each other, you might see yourself in this movie.

It's ultimately a movie about adult sibling relationships in a family the genuinely loves each other even when they can't stand each other.

But the movie is not too heavy, mostly due to Paul Rudd's charming performance as an optimistic loser hippie. Most of the other principles are flawed but likable.

Rudd is the center of the story but the ensemble cast is an A-list of B-listers with several memorable sub-plots. The movie was peppered with some of my favorite actors from TV or small movies. And after seeing this movie, I have some new favorites! For me, this film hits that perfect "Romantic Comedy" balance of funny and sweet but with some moral and emotional complexity. But, instead of a love between a man and a woman, it's the love between siblings.

And, like a good "Rom Com" should, it has a satisfying end without being too simplistic. (OK, one part is really corny but this serves the point of the movie.)

I found this movie both irritating and fascinating. It was irritating until I understood it -- then it was fascinating.

I spent the first half of the movie irritated at the ugly stereotypes of Americans as brutishly hostile to both Muslims and people with disabilities. Karan Johar so profoundly mis-understands America that he gets nearly every scenario wrong. For example, if a clearly disoriented person stepped in front of a cable car, a mob wouldn't gather to jeer him -- especially in one of the most liberal and tolerant cities in America.

My irritation gave way to fascination when I realized that the extremely mis-portrayed hurricane scene was actually about an Indian village in a monsoon. I went back and watched the movies as a allegory about India and it fits almost perfectly. For example, I've personally witnessed a mob of people in India set-upon a disoriented person, not just jeering him but beating him as well.

Especially interesting is the inter-faith dynamics portrayed in the movie. While nothing like America, it's what I remember of India where the people generally get along well until some event triggers nauseating naked aggression, splitting neighborhoods and even families. But, even at the worst times punctuated by remarkable acts compassion.

"My Name is Khan" is far more about the Babri Mosque demolition than it is about 9/11.

Let me be clear -- American Muslims certainly have experienced a hurtful backlash after 9/11. Americans with disabilities certainly do experience prejudice and even hostility. It's just not like this movie.

But, when you watch the movie as an allegory of India, it's quite interesting.

As a librarian, I highly recommend this series. Children will watch the show for the entertainment value but get a dose of literary education.

For a series that promotes classic literature, it has a very light feel. Something like what kids might watch on the Disney channel with the hyperactivity dialed down a little. I find it watchable as an adult.

Unlike modern talking animal shows, it doesn't use any computer effects. The voice of the dog is dubbed as thoughts. I think this simple approach is charming but kids highly accustomed to CGI _might_ find it cheesy.

I deduct one star because the series is starting to look dated. I wish the producers would release all the shows on DVD before they become outdated.