I watched this movie one rainy afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. I appreciated Mr. Patel's character's desire to embrace the two clashing cultures and try to make them work for him. I live in a fairly rural area and don't get to meet a lot of Asians but am fascinated with other cultures. This movie revealed an aspect of a culture I probably will never get to experience. I highly recommend this movie.

'MEET THE PATELS': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)A comedic documentary flick; about an Indian-American actor, who's been single most of his life, that agrees to allow his traditional parents, to set him up with a potential bride (on a trip to India). The film was directed by Ravi Patel (who also stars in the movie), and his sister Geeta. Geeta also filmed most of the documentary, in really poor quality video, and her footage is mixed with comedic animated sequences too (explaining unfilmed plot points). The film is interesting, and funny; it also has a great leading man performance, in Ravi Patel. Ravi Patel is a 29-year-old actor; who's played a lot of clichéd Indian-American 'bit parts' (in many movies). He's been single most of his life, and just broke up with his first girlfriend (Audrey Wauchope); due to a fear his parents wouldn't accept her (Audrey is an American redhead). On a trip with his family to India, he decides to allow his parents (Vasant and Chapa), to set him up with an Indian girl; in the traditional Indian family way. The film examines the concept of arranged couples, while Ravi's sister (Geeta) films the whole thing (she's also been single most of her life). The movie is interesting, in a very comedic (but informative) way. It's also extremely personal at times; and Ravi Patel is very funny, and charming. I enjoyed the movie, quite a bit, but it's a little hard for me to believe it's all completely genuine. Like a lot of modern documentary films, the movie seems more like really creative performance art; than like watching real people (acting completely genuine), in completely real situations (it seems at least partially staged). But I love performance art, I practice it a lot myself; and I love entertaining documentary flicks, like this, too.Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://youtu.be/CoUgbXLzKSQ

It's a documentary, but at the same time the narrative does not act as one. Ravi is feeling the pressure of being a about to turn 30 year old Indian-American man, who as far as his parents are concern has never even been on a date, cause he hid his 2 year relationship with a white American girl from them. After Ravi breaks up with her he attempts to give Indian culture style dating a try to please the very large family that thinks he should be married with kids by now. It's a hysterical look at how cultures differ, but at the core stay the same, as Ravi deals with parents who feel that his happiness would be with the perfect Indian wife, his struggle with being both culturally Indian and American, and his annoying older sister, Geeta who thought it would be a good idea to document his turmoil.It is one of the best comedies I have seen. Through her brother, Geeta attempts to document how Indian dating culture is different from American culture, Yet what she accomplished was creating a narrative that's relatable down to the core. It'a a fun comedy, every minute was enjoyable, it was funny throughout.

There has been a lot of publicity about this movie. The best and funniest parts were in the trailers and previews. Prior to seeing the movie, I was so excited. I even liked the Facebook page. I drove 45 minutes each way to see it. What a disappointment! I was hoping to see a lot more of what was in the trailer. I did not. My 7-year-old daughter thought it was funny. But she liked The Martian more. So did I.I think the problem with the movie is that it is not an experience. It's not uplifting, hilariously funny, educational or anything really. The only feeling it left me with was regret -- that I spent all that time and about $20 on it.Oh, I guess the only feeling it left me with was annoyance. It's the journey of of a man who did not know himself.