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ABCD Send This Review to a Friend
Clash of cultures and conflicts that some have with trying to move away from their roots are serious matters in "ABCD," a film directed by Krutin Patel, who was born in India, immigrated to the United States with his family when he was eight and has worked both here and in his native country. He also co-authored the script with James McManus and is a co-producer of the film.
Sheetal Sheth plays Nina, a strong-willed young woman who has no problem in casually going to bed with men as she tries to find her way in life and love. She is at odds with her widowed, very religious and troubled mother (Madhur Jaffrey), who is compulsively trying to get her to marry someone from India and follow a life that would be in tune with her background and culture. Nina shuns the idea of an arranged date at the urging of her older brother, Raj (Faran Tahir), but when she finally meets Ashok (Aasif Mandvi), with whom she used to play as a child, sparks are generated. But she is tremendously conflicted when her old beau Sam turns up again. Sam, who is well-heeled and not Indian, can give her a comfortable life. Whom will she choose?
Another conflict runs parallel to hers. Raj is committed to an arranged marriage to the patient and loving Tejal (Adriane Forlana Erdos), but his life plunges into crisis when he is denied a promotion that he feels he deserves at work and he becomes attracted to newly-hired Julia (Jennifer Dorr White), who is obviously interested in him. Will he break the heart of his intended? Could he make a life with Julia?
The film's sincerity in its character portraits and efforts to deal honestly with the issues make it absorbing, although it also suffers from melodramatics involving the mother, who has imaginary conversations with her late husband. But in its overall decent, quiet manner "ABCD" does manage to paint a portrait of the conflicts that are spawned by the demands of tradition upon those who have led split-level existences. An Eros Entertainment release.
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