From Deseret News archives:

Bollywood/Hollywood

Published: Friday, Oct. 31, 2003 7:53 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
"Bollywood/Hollywood" is clearly designed to appeal to fans of both the Indian and American houses of filmmaking. Unfortunately, it's so inept that it may appeal to neither.

Also, there's an air of smugness and superiority here — as if the filmmakers thought that by both parodying and paying homage to Bollywood musical fantasies and formulaic Hollywood romantic comedies they could come up with something better.

Instead, it's off-putting and rather unappealing. Worse, the incredibly stiff performances and tuneless, clinker musical numbers don't help. And at 105 minutes, it feels longer — much longer — than some of the epic-length Indian features it's sending up.

"Bollywood/Hollywood" follows the Seths, a family of well-to-do Indian transplants that has gotten a little too comfortable with the American way of life. (Which is not too surprising, considering they're living in Hollywood.) That's certainly true of Rahul (Rahul Khanna), the oldest son, who is being pressured by his mother (Moushumi Chatterjee) to marry.

Story continues below
However, none of her chosen marriage candidates appeal to Rahul. So to get her off his back, he pays Sue (Lisa Ray), an escort he meets in a bar, to be his girlfriend. But there's a big hitch — unless Sue can convince them that she's an old-fashioned girl, his tradition-minded relatives will never go for their relationship. So she's got less than a month to transform herself. The plot has at least a few things in common with typical Hollywood romantic comedies, especially "Pretty Woman." But the contrived "Bollywood/Hollywood" — which also tries to broach issues of racial intolerance — makes that "Pretty Woman" seem genuine.

Writer-director Deepa Mehta has also made some crucial casting mistakes. As played by Khanna, Rahul seems a duplicitous and shallow; he's not a likable hero. And Ray is so wooden she could be used as material for set construction.

"Bollywood/Hollywood" is rated PG-13 for scattered use of strong profanity, some crude sexual talk, brief sexual contact and a brief scene of violence (a schoolyard scuffle, done in slapstick style). Running time: 105 minutes.


E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Movie Info
Rated PG13 for profanity, vulgarity, brief sex.

Cast: Rahul Khanna, Lisa Ray, Rishma Malik, Moushumi Chatterjee; in English, Hindi and Spanish, with English subtitles
FIND LOCAL MOVIE SHOWTIMES
Image
Magnolia Pictures

Rahul Khanna and Lisa Ray star in the poorly acted and off-putting "Bollywood/Hollywood," a disappointing mix of movie genres.

previousnext

Latest comments

They are extremist in nature. They spew divisions and hatred among many...

Why is the state giving Mitchell, the bearded freak, his version of a country...

Higher school math requirements?

Rigorousness starts with funding, which will never happen. Require as...

Would you hire and employee that sometimes can get child care and sometimes...

I certainly don't hang on every word of Glenn Beck's like I do Pres. Monson,...

They needed a more current permit because of other hurdles that make it...

C.J. Miles will play, won't start

All you CJ fans keep playin the lotto. Chase that dream !!!!!

I'm getting so sick and tired of everyone associated with the WH being the...

Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing

....."know what you are talking about before you open your mouth"!! In other...

C.J. Miles will play, won't start

He has arrived. Sorry Miles been nice knowing you. Sorry but it is a...

Advertisements