Is the dating scene in America so different from that of India? Indian and American cultures couldn’t be more dissimilar; theirs is roughly 11,000 years old—ours is 245 years young. The very heartwarming (an LA Film Festival win in the Audience Award category for Best Feature Documentary) “Meet the Patels” explores the often sidesplittingly funny differences.
‘Thank You India’
Alanis Morissette sang that. I myself never understood what she was talking about, but after seeing “Meet the Patels,” I’m pretty sure Alanis was thanking India for its Patels, because there’s an insane number of them and they’re all very nice.“Meet the Patels” is about one Ravi Patel (that’s roughly Indian for John Smith), whose time for finding a good wife is running out. Ravi is filmmaker Geeta Patel’s brother. He’s a 29-year-old actor who lives in LA, with sister Geeta.
‘Hey, We Could Make a Film About …’
So with parental pressure to marry, neither sibling getting lucky, both in showbiz, in America, the Indian subculture of matrimonial matchmaking not being known by Americans … what’s that spell? A prepackaged documentary filmmaking opportunity!Ravi goes on a parent-sanctioned, nationwide dating spree, which makes extensive use of “biodata.” That’s basically a marriage-candidacy résumé that came into existence in India to facilitate a more rapid, universal assimilation of the yottabytes of Patel data. This biodata makes the rounds, rapidly covering enormous ground and shrinking the time-space continuum of the Patel eligible-spouse universe. Add to that, Indian internet dating websites and, lastly, a speed-dating Patel Matrimonial Convention.
Cultural Insights
This Patel dating-ritual display is sort of wonderfully Discovery Channel-like, sprinkled here and there with storyboard-type animated sequences, and Geeta’s contributions in the time-honored “hidden man” comedy role (in this case, speaking lines perpetually off-camera).There are some hilarious, fellow Indian marriage-seeker discussions about inter-Indian racial prejudices and resultant practices, such as the widespread slathering of a skin-lightening lotion called “Fair and Lovely” (male version: “Fair and Handsome”) as well as the labels of the various gradients of skin tone, such as “wheat-ish-brown.”
Progress?
Ravi’s dates keep coming up short. Is he too picky? His parents vehemently think so, especially Champa, who’s a known, skilled matchmaker of excellent repute. According to her, if you can get the education and religion to match up, it’s pretty much a slam-dunk. Ravi’s just gotta go for it. Her son should just stop this American noncommittal foolishness. “You will be 60 years old, and still you will be saying, ‘I think I am making progress!’”Scene Stealers
Champa and Vasant pretty much steal the show. They’re quick with one-liners and playful matrimonial trash talk. It’s heartwarming to experience what feels like a professional level of marriage, as opposed to the endless, amateur, two-years-and-a-divorce situation that mostly goes on in America these days.All in all, these Patels are such nice people. You get involved in Ravi’s search, ride the emotional rollercoaster of laughs and disappointments, and root for both brother and sister to find their soulmates.
Also, you may experience a bit of envy. There’s a wonderful sequence describing how all the various Patel factions add up to one gigantic family, and how if one Patel family on vacation happens by chance to stay at a motel run by a different Patel family, there’s an immediate “family reunion.” The women cook, the children play, the men discuss manly things like politics while sitting naked in the bathtub together, and when it’s time to leave, everyone cries. They may never see each other again. But they are family. This is priceless.
Which gave us the impression that Indians named Patel are indecisive. But maybe that’s just Americanized Patels, since Ravi can’t seem to sign off on any spousal deal either, and as we’re shown throughout “Meet the Patels,” Indian men get married in a heartbeat and stay married until their hearts stop beating.
However, Ravi can’t sign on the dotted marriage line because of another reason altogether. To find out what that might be, you‘ll just have to see the movie. Meanwhile, Ravi’s cast-ability in Hollywood skyrocketed post “Meet the Patels.” Will success in showbiz enhance his résumé? I’m wondering if there will be a “Meet the Patels II.” Personally, I’m liking “Ravi Went A-Courtin’ and He Did Find” as a title.