With no reviews in hand I read the DVD notes on Finding Preet which reminded me of a recent favorite film Saving Grace. Both with female leads in there 30's, both minority physicians and both leading unfulfilled lives sans soul mates.
What works so well in Saving Grace fails in Meeting Preet. Here is a story we have seen scores of times. Women seeks perfect man but fails to realize he is standing next to her. And so the lead role of her 'friend' Jake is one of the major keys to the story.
Priti which as Preet means 'love' or such not only stars but also wrote and produced the film. My take is simply lousy casting with total lack of chemistry between Priti and her long time 'friend'Jake who yearns to be MORE than a friend and business partner (they open a restaurant together). No sparks and worse. First Priti tells us she had a short lived prior marriage that ended for lack of trust and then offers a sub plot that demonstrates Jake is willing to and does violate Priti's trust in a gross fashion that borders out right theft, stealing away $10,000 or more of her money.
When the 'theft' is discovered Priti draws the line in the sand. Her speech to Jake is awesome. She has been violated by her first husband and will NOT let it happen again. Jake has so violated her that any bond of trust is GONE. She will NOT make the same life ruining mistake twice.
Ahah...the clever writer will have Jake rehabilitate himself in some screen drama fashion.....NOT....rather Jake hands Priti a single rose so that Priti can say, as Rosanna Danna used to say in Saturday Night Live, NEVER MIND .....you are the guy for me! Did I mention the lack of chemistry between Priti and Jake,,,,she is stunning and he is an older balding fellow....not that there is anything wrong with that ....IF he exuded even one attribute that qualified him as her true SOUL MATE.
Finally the nonsensical writing which had me squirming: Imagine three hip, successful women, Priti and friends, sitting in the office of a MAD fringe female matchmaker GURU who disdains personal information from the women and opts for her 'instinct' to make matches. Like a Gypsy using a crystal ball. Then she asks for $12,000 EACH and they fork over three checks. What was Priti smoking when she wrote this? And her first $3000 date (4 dates at $3000 each) is off the charts as he fumbles with his toupee until it practically falls onto the table. She could not care less. The rest of us would be screaming REFUND!
It is always fun to watch the other main event, the interaction between new generation and family very similar to the goings on in the such film s as Saving Face, Bend it Like Beckham etc. Here too the family, sibling etc. are the best part of the film. But there is no escaping the failed casting of the pivotal friend to be love interest Jake and irrational forgive and forget script that leaves you rooting for Priti's inevitable DIVORCE #2. Perhaps for the sequel....WILL PRITI EVER LEARN!
What works so well in Saving Grace fails in Meeting Preet. Here is a story we have seen scores of times. Women seeks perfect man but fails to realize he is standing next to her. And so the lead role of her 'friend' Jake is one of the major keys to the story.
Priti which as Preet means 'love' or such not only stars but also wrote and produced the film. My take is simply lousy casting with total lack of chemistry between Priti and her long time 'friend'Jake who yearns to be MORE than a friend and business partner (they open a restaurant together). No sparks and worse. First Priti tells us she had a short lived prior marriage that ended for lack of trust and then offers a sub plot that demonstrates Jake is willing to and does violate Priti's trust in a gross fashion that borders out right theft, stealing away $10,000 or more of her money.
When the 'theft' is discovered Priti draws the line in the sand. Her speech to Jake is awesome. She has been violated by her first husband and will NOT let it happen again. Jake has so violated her that any bond of trust is GONE. She will NOT make the same life ruining mistake twice.
Ahah...the clever writer will have Jake rehabilitate himself in some screen drama fashion.....NOT....rather Jake hands Priti a single rose so that Priti can say, as Rosanna Danna used to say in Saturday Night Live, NEVER MIND .....you are the guy for me! Did I mention the lack of chemistry between Priti and Jake,,,,she is stunning and he is an older balding fellow....not that there is anything wrong with that ....IF he exuded even one attribute that qualified him as her true SOUL MATE.
Finally the nonsensical writing which had me squirming: Imagine three hip, successful women, Priti and friends, sitting in the office of a MAD fringe female matchmaker GURU who disdains personal information from the women and opts for her 'instinct' to make matches. Like a Gypsy using a crystal ball. Then she asks for $12,000 EACH and they fork over three checks. What was Priti smoking when she wrote this? And her first $3000 date (4 dates at $3000 each) is off the charts as he fumbles with his toupee until it practically falls onto the table. She could not care less. The rest of us would be screaming REFUND!
It is always fun to watch the other main event, the interaction between new generation and family very similar to the goings on in the such film s as Saving Face, Bend it Like Beckham etc. Here too the family, sibling etc. are the best part of the film. But there is no escaping the failed casting of the pivotal friend to be love interest Jake and irrational forgive and forget script that leaves you rooting for Priti's inevitable DIVORCE #2. Perhaps for the sequel....WILL PRITI EVER LEARN!
