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AFF: ‘When Harry Tries to Marry’
Reluctant to fall prey to the idea of romantic love and end up in an unsuccessful “love marriage” like his parents did, 22 year-old Indian-American college student Harry is determined to find happiness in the safety and calm of an arranged marriage. Despite the expected temptations for a handsome young man in New York City, Harry defers to the wisdom the tradition of his Indian heritage.
The premise sounds like a decent basis for a mature and possibly comical exploration of cultural clashes and the difficulties of finding and maintaining love in the 21st century. Unfortunately, director Nayan Padrai’s first feature, “When Harry Tries to Marry,” falls victim to wooden acting and builds no anticipation, as the script feels weighted by a trite narrative that is taking us exactly where we expect to. The quasi-neutered Harry (Rahul Rai), with his boyish reactions to anything remotely resembling feminine wiles, comes across as completely unrealistic and so pathetic that he becomes unlikeable.
The story does have a sweet spirit and is well intentioned, but its broadly painted, simplistic characters and predictable storyline feel like they would be much better suited in an ABC Family movie. In fact, if packaged for a pre-teen audience, there would be a sort of winning charm about the project.
The movie does take great advantage of its locales — New York City and (presumably) India, with its vibrant colors and rich sounds — and the set design and cinematography make for a pleasant visual experience.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment Categories: Austin Film Festival 2010
Comments
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By John Q
November 11, 2010 5:41 PM | Link to this
Had the reviewer actually seen the film, he would see where the film was shot and that the audience was laughing hysterically throughout. Nice job Matt and typical of you.
By Lise
November 2, 2010 10:10 AM | Link to this
I saw 5 films at AFF and this one was the best. I enjoyed the scenes done in India (yes, they were done in India). The movie had the same feel for me as The Big Fat Greek Wedding, in that viewers were treated to glimpses into another culture.
By Rob Jenks
October 24, 2010 1:08 PM | Link to this
The film was very funny and warm. It’s got great buzz at AFF