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MOVIES / ON DVD / AMERICAN CHAI
American Chai

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American Chai (2002)

52%
67%
100%
N/A
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52 %
Reviews Counted: 21 Fresh: 11  Rotten:10 Average Rating: 5.6/10

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins

Synopsis: An Indian-American college kid, Sureel (Aalok Mehta), is pressured by his parents to be a doctor, though he dreams of becoming a musician. He has obvious musical talent. He sings, composes, and plays many instruments, but he hides his passion from his family because he's afraid they won't... An Indian-American college kid, Sureel (Aalok Mehta), is pressured by his parents to be a doctor, though he dreams of becoming a musician. He has obvious musical talent. He sings, composes, and plays many instruments, but he hides his passion from his family because he's afraid they won't accept him. When his band kicks him out for always showing up late, and his girlfriend dumps him, Sureel has to reevaluate his priorities. He meets a beautiful Indian-American dancer, Maya (Sheetal Sheth), who's proud of her Indian heritage. Through her dance, she shows him that her dance style has a unique creative flair that fuses both Indian and American cultural dance traditions to wonderful and beautiful effect. As Sureel becomes more in touch with his identity and prepares to enter the adult world, he realizes that he must stand up for his interests and follow his dreams, no matter what the cost. Paresh Rawal, who plays Sureel's father, is a famous actor in the cinema of Bombay, India (known as Bollywood) and the scenes between him and Sureel are some of the best in the film. For his debut feature, Anurag Mehta directs his brother Aalok Mehta, who also wrote some of the music. [More]

Genre: Comedies

Starring: Aalok Mehta, Sheetal Sheth, Aasif Mandvi, Josh Ackerman, Ajay Naidu

Director: Anurag Mehta
Screenwriter: Anurag Mehta
Producer: Taylor MacCrae

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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05/20/08
Scott Foundas
Variety
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4/5

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Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
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N/A

This ethnic family sitcom thing is rapidly turning into wearisome cliche, and American Chai doesn't hold a candle to either Beckham or Greek Wedding.

Full Review | comment Comment
11/14/03
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
03/10/03
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
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4/5

The funniest, most unabashadly goofy indie film to come out in quite some time.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/08/02
Merle Bertrand
Film Threat
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N/A

Chai's structure and pacing are disconcertingly slack.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/07/02
Mark Olsen
L.A. Weekly
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
08/09/02
Robert Denerstein
Denver Rocky Mountain News
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2/4

By now, I've seen far too many American indie movies with similar semi-autobiographical subjects.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/20/02
Michael Wilmington
Chicago Tribune
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
06/14/02
Houston Chronicle
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2/4

[It's] difficult to get beyond the overall blandness of American Chai, despite its likable performances and refreshingly naive point of view.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/07/02
John Monaghan
Detroit Free Press
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2.5/4

Plays like a toddler running along a lumpy field, stumbling every few feet but always getting back up and eventually reaching his destination, unharmed and happy.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/21/02
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
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C

American Chai encourages rueful laughter at stereotypes only an Indian-American would recognize. And the lesson, in the end, is nothing new.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/16/02
Rasmi Simhan
Dallas Morning News
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N/A

Due to some script weaknesses and the casting of the director's brother, the film trails off into inconsequentiality.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/30/02
David Noh
Film Journal International
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3/4

The picture uses humor and a heartfelt conviction to tell a story about discovering your destination in life, but also acknowledging the places, and the people, from whence you came.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/18/02
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer
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N/A

An inexperienced director, Mehta has much to learn.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/15/02
Kirk Honeycutt
Hollywood Reporter
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3/5

Enormously likable first feature from writer-director Anurag Mehta.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/05/02
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide
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3/5

The movie is amateurish, but it's a minor treat.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/05/02
Paul Clinton (Boxoffice)
Boxoffice Magazine
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2.5/4

It is too bad that this likable movie isn't more accomplished. The actors try hard but come off too amateurish and awkward.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/05/02
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews
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C+

This worldly dramedy can't overcome its jolting amateur vibe.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/05/02
E! Online
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4/5

A perceptive, good-natured movie.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/05/02
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
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by: Spankyb78 6/4/02

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