review for Dude, Where's the Party? on AllMovie

Where's the Party, Yaar? is an entertainingly jaunty take on the fish-out-of-water story. First-time feature director Benny Mathews uses his music video experience to keep the film zipping along with a bright palette and a bouncy soundtrack, helping the film overcome some crude ethnic humor. The first ten minutes or so are distinctly unpromising, as Hari, Sunil Malhotra's broad caricature of a recent Indian immigrant, stumbles his way through the initial few scenes in unimpressive slapstick style; but Malhotra and the film eventually move beyond stereotypes, creating a likable character. Kal Penn, as Hari's indolent American-born counterpart, Mo, is an ingratiating presence. The supporting performances are generally good, especially co-screenwriter/executive producer Sunil Thakkar as Sham, an Indian immigrant who's been in the states just a short time longer than Hari, but considers himself a cool expert on American culture. The film peaks when it references the culture of Bollywood films, typified by a wonderful comic dance sequence, performed in the rain by Mo and his friends, in a fruitless effort to win Janvi's (Serena Varghese) heart. Where's the Party, Yaar? features an exciting cross-cultural soundtrack that mixes traditional bhangra with hip-hop beats. While the music and genially upbeat mood of the film are winning, there's a sloppiness to some sections, particularly the abrupt and unsatisfying ending. The film's mix of clever cultural references and crude (but not heartless) ethnic humor is perfectly summed up by the briefly glimpsed entries on Hari's "To Do" list, which include "Buy deodorant" and "Finish watching Lagaan." If you can appreciate both of those jokes, you'll probably find Where's the Party, Yaar? an utter delight.