Todd Anderson (Josh Hamilton; “Kicking and Screaming”) is in that unhappy position of having his entire team of American customer service representatives outsourced to India. His boss pressures him into traveling to that country to train his replacement, so Todd can maintain his stock options and unemployment benefits. His trip and initial stay in India is rough, as the country is much different than the American lifestyle he is used to. Eventually, Todd learns to let go of his preconceptions and arrogance and enjoy the people he’s met and the culture he’s become immersed in.
You get to know most of Todd’s team of representatives in India, especially a woman named Asha (Ayesha Dharker; Star Wars II - Attack of the Clones), who is quite skillful at her position and politely challenges Todd’s assumptions about them. The cultural misunderstandings which propel most of the humor are handled with an incredibly light, skillful touch by writer-director John Jeffcoat. Neither culture comes out on the losing end of this comedy, instead you gain insight into the positives and problems of Western and Eastern culture. The romantic angle is gradual and enlightening, but with a melancholy-tinged edge. Both main characters are committed to their respective cultures, but learn to grow as individuals as they experience something new.
The movie is not entirely white-washed sweetness, as the poverty of India is presented and the coldness of corporate America. The director’s brilliant storytelling skills lead to a perfect ending, without compromising his characters’ motivations. I highly recommend this film to anyone who wants to experience a slightly more exotic adventure into romance and humor, as we leave the pleasures of the summer behind us.
Rated PG-13 for some sexual content.
