Nov 14, 2002 08:02 PM
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(Updated Nov 14, 2002 09:05 PM)
If you want a film that explores the lives of Indians living in the US then go see something like Leela or Mississippi Masala, as this is not what the Guru is about. The Guru is best described as a light romantic comedy that happens to have a couple of Indian characters in it. I thought it was one of the best comedy films that was out this year and enjoyed watching and would watch it again.
The basic story is of Ramu (Jimi Mistry) who is a dance teacher in India whose dream is to go to the US and become the next John Travolta. When he does get there he is met by a life of drudgery. There is little that Ramu can do except go to auditions by day and work as a waiter by night until the day when Ramu attends the wrong audition one for a porn actor. Since he is looking for a way out he gives it a go. Needless to say he is not a success at the job but that is where he meets Sharrona (Heather Graham) who is the female lead. It is Sharrona who starts explaining he philosophy on sex that she uses to get through her job.
The waiters have meanwhile been hired to cater a party for a rich New Yorker (Marissa Tomei) who is into all the New Age stuff and her parents ask the caterers to hire a Swami for it. Due to certain circumstances Ramu has to step in and when asked to spout some philosophy the first thoughts that enter his head are Sharrona’s. They go down well and the Guru of Sex is born.
Through being the Guru of Sex Ramu sees his route to fame. But the philosophy isn’t his, its Sharonna’s hence he knows he has to pump Sharonna for more of her thoughts to pass of as his own. At the same time he stats to fall in love with her and that’s where his real problems begin. Anyway to see if he gets the fame he carves o the girl you’ll have to see the film.
There are some really funny bits in the film, Ramu’s porn audition being one of them. There are scenes where I certainly chuckled to myself, and others where I laughed out loud. Some of the characters are stereotypical but then in a light comedy you don’t really expect depth from you characters. Jimi Mistry has done a good job as Ramu and manages to bring an innocence to his role. The others are good in their roles too.
The film has tried to mix elements of Bollywood and Hollywood and I don’t know whether it really has. The Bollywood influences are limited and if they were not there it wouldn’t be too different a movie. Where Hindi songs have been used they are very funny to see.
I wouldn’t classify the film as an Oscar winner as it isn’t. If you go expecting a film that portrays its characters as multi-dimensional people you will be disappointed. It is a fun comedy that entertains you for 2 hours and the ending is worth waiting for. It is a good film to go see with friends or a loved one for a night out. I certainly enjoyed it and hopefully you guys will too.
