Meet the Patels: A Movie Review

I’m gonna be honest with you. I’m at that stage in my life where every-time, literally every time I have a phone conversation with my mother, she ends it with inshallah (God willing) you’ll soon find a good husband. But that’s Iranian culture. A culture where marriage is just that big and that important. Where parents won’t really sleep until their children marry and procreate.

Meet the Patels is a rom-com documentary on exactly this. The film co-directed by siblings Ravi Patel and Geeta Patel explores the raw and honest expectations of Ravi’s parents (and extended family) surrounding his quest for love and marriage.

And, it is possibly the greatest film EVER.

And not because I can relate to the story. Even though I can (big time) but because some of the absurdities that come out of Patels parents are identical to the shizz my parents would, and do, say. However; amongst the ridiculousness are also a rich array of lessons on love and family to be learnt and cherished.

Ridiculousness include conversations like this where Ravi’s poppa describes the first time he met his wife through the Indian arranged marriage system:

“I go upstairs she’s sitting in a chair, stool or something
probably a little intimidated because this guy is from America…(his wife interrupts: “right away, I’m like, he’s short and he’s a little chubby.”) I was the one who asked the questions and she never asked me any questions which was a big set-up because she never opened her mouth there but she never shut up after the marriage.”

To adorable truths from the same man like the following:

“Bottom line is Ravi, i still believe when you are ready.. you will find a girl. just like a guru… when you are ready for a guru, you’ll never look for a guru, guru will come to you.” 

And…

“The girl you get married, you will never know her enough. Never know enough. Even after 35 year of marriage (his wife interrupting: he still doesn’t know me) it’s still a discovery. So you think I want to know her enough. That’s impossible, that is why you get married and that’s the fun of getting married because you keep discovering…you know, after 35 years we tell each other, “Oh, you don’t understand me!” Now after 35 years, I don’t understand her and you gonna know somebody in two year?!” 

All in all, a sweet and hilarious little movie with Ravi’s parents being the true stars of the film; old-fashioned yet charming and good-humoured – just like my own parents.

6/5 (a first on Iaccidentlyatethewholething)

The Intern: A Movie Review

Building on from my Valentines Day post, I think Nancy Meyer’s new movie, The Intern makes a suitable first date film and that is all.

In my opinion, it is the baby-food of the movie world. That is, it’s easily digestible, in fact, watching it, you do not need to use your brain at all and often times, flavorless and monotone. Except, for the occasional sweet blueberry or two (let’s call them Zack Pearlmans) that find their way through, The Intern doesn’t have much going for it at all. Why? Well, I’d say, watch it for yourself and you’ll know but since I don’t like wasting your time (oh no she didn’t) I’m-ma just go ahead and tell you:

1. It is trying too hard to be cool. Packed to the rim with modern stereotypes (hipster office-space, stay-at-home dad, career woman vs. judgemental stay-at-home moms, sickly adorable child, social media, social media, social media), it’s almost uncool.
2. Unrealistic relationships. SPOILER ALERT: her husband cheats on her and they get back together as if he’d simply misplaced her hairbrush. Sure, these things happen and people resolve their issues, they forgive and forget but not that soon? Surely, not?
3. It’s too long. Thirty min shorter and it could have been good.

To close on a good note, Anne Hathaway’s outfits, her office-space and De Niro’s face are pretty cute.

2.9/5

Watch this if you’re hopelessly single

Which I am. Actually, (I have a confession to make – since honesty is essential to this movie and all), I watched Man Up (2015) whilst eating chocolate mousse straight out of a blender last night. Yes, that dear friends is what goes on behind the scene of a food blog. To my defense, it was just cacao powder and banana but still, it was pretty freakin’ wild for a school night.

I’m not good at movie reviews and yes, you there, in the fleece zip-up, I heard your sarcastic comment: “I thought this was a food blog” and it is, but frankly, it’s nice to take a short break once in a while. Man Up stars the dude (the internet tells me his name is Simon Pegg) from Hector and the Search for Happiness which I absolutely loved. You know, the one where he announces he’s going to China and someone happens to drop a metal tray which makes a gong sound at the same time. The one where his girlfriend is that disturbed chick from Gone Girl!

Anyways, I liked Man Up because it’s not like your conventional rom-com. For one, the lead lovers aren’t Hollywood attractive or young. Instead, they’re flawed, quirky, intelligent, awkward and fun. Don’t you think there’s something so appealing about border-line real people falling in love? Which brings me to the greatness of the screen-play/dialogue:

Jessica: It’s an international bestseller.
Nancy: So is The Da Vinci Code.
Jessica: Oh, another excellent book.
Nancy: Not…not an excellent book.

Nancy: I’ve got a confession to make. I’m not really your blind date, Jack.
Jack: What?! Are you even twenty-four?
Nancy: Ah. Add another ten.

Nancy: I met a man today. For the first time in ages, I put myself out there. And I took a chance. Blah, blah, blah, the end.

Tehehe funny right?

I liked it. It made me LOL and it made me feel better for being single.

4/5