(2001)
2
Jason Clark
A crude, unfunny, and often insulting film about the need for embracing heritage, this first feature fails in most respects. What writer/director Piyush Dinker Pandya fails to realize is that his lead character, a deeply unpleasant and difficult sort, inspires no sympathy in the audience. One rejects his (the filmmaker's and the character's) efforts immediately because the movie shows zero sensitivity to virtually anyone. Desi plays like the crassest 1980s raid on decency that never got released back then, and the performances are amateurish and undeveloped. Furthermore, the film relies on decades-old devices (stern parents, fighting for honor, etc.) in the vain hope that viewers will be roused into caring for such foolishness. A more derogatory example of acknowledging culture would be hard to find, and it is unfortunate that the film squanders the opportunity to enlighten many to the joys of Indian refinement.
American Desi on AllMovie
American Desi (2001)
