Review of UNindian

UNindian (2015)
4/10
Weak plot, clumsily executed
9 December 2016
Meera is an Indian woman living with her parents and daughter in Sydney, Australia. Her parents are constantly trying to set her up with eligible Indian men. Will teaches "Australian English" to immigrants at a University. Will meets Meera and is immediately smitten by her. After some initial reluctance, Meera gives in to Will's charms. However, their relationship is unlikely to be plain sailing - Meera's parents wouldn't approve of her seeing a non- Indian man and are likely to try to sabotage the relationship. So they have to keep the relationship a secret. Meanwhile, Will is being followed by a mysterious stranger...

Underwhelming. Pretty basic, weak and predictable plot. The writer had some good intentions, showing the (refreshing) lack of boundaries between different cultures and ethnic groups. The movie also tackles individualism and free-mindedness over blind tradition and meddling older generations.

However, it is all so clumsily and patronisingly told, and really doesn't go anywhere you didn't expect. Characters are quite one- dimensional and largely stereotypical.

Former cricket star Brett Lee, in his first acting role, isn't too bad as Will. Not entirely convincing but some of this is due to the script and he could have been a lot worse. Best performance comes from Tannishtha Chatterjee as Meera. Other performances are a mixed bag, with the Indian parts generally being played well and the Anglo- Saxon parts played lamely. Even John Howard (not the former PM) in his small part seems unnatural and unconvincing.

Only worth watching if you're a cricket fan and want to see if Brett Lee can act. Turns out he's okay but certainly no Marlon Brando.
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