Moustroll Good movie but grossly overrated

Spoonixel Amateur movie with Big budget

Billie Morin This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

David R. Philip The movie is a bit kitsch, and true, this story's been told through many an immigrant, from many a race, but as an American-Desi it's still kinda cool to see someone who looks like you and shares your specific familial idiosyncrasies on a screen. Growing up I didn't see people who looked like me on TV--aside from the occasional caricatures with goofy accents only there as a side-joke. Oh...wait... yeah, it's still sorta -like- that!If you're not of South Asian descent I don't think you'd be as excited about this work, but it does offer a good point; that the fusion of cultures advents an altogether new baby that everyone can appreciate; like the protagonist's music. And if nothing else, the movie is a window to a culture not seen by most people outside of it--however-much of a sketch it is; it improves our understandings of our fellowman. I give it more points than I usually would for that.

quadersa I noticed the consequence of including spoilers so be forewarned that some things included in the following comment may be construed as such. It is assumed that the inclusion of spoilers "ruins" the movie for those who have not yet seen it. I assure you that the writer and director of this film ruined it far before this review was written.I was having a hard time believing that someone actually wrote dialog for this movie as it was so awful that ad-libbing would have been preferable. The father and the cousin were such extreme caricatures of Indian-born men that Apu from the Simpsons would have been offended. I was flabbergasted that so many Indians responded positively to this film. Having attended many university Indian cultural programs I can say with confidence that the Maya character's dance was the worst I have ever seen. The fact that she won a dance scholarship can only be explained if all the other applicants were quadriplegics.I have to admit that there were two positive points in this film. The lead character makes an interesting point during a speech where he remarks on the irony that India with one of the richest and most artistic cultures in history now mass produces doctors and engineers who are discouraged from exploring the arts. Second, although he can't act to save his life, the lead character is a decent musician with and can carry a tune. That said, don't be fooled as I was by the DVD case that compares this film to Bend it Like Beckham. Watching American Chai is like watching paint dry. It is extremely slow and the dialog, like noxious fumes, will leave you with a splitting headache.

blmmp entertaining movie that falls short of being the movie that it could've been, but i must applaud the effort. of the three "indian americans growing up" stories (american chai, american desi, abcd), i would rank this in the middle. though chai may have had the best cinematography, the low budget american desi was still the most entertaining. if there were a more charismatic hero chosen than aalok mehta to play sureel, the film as well as the relationship between him and the drop-dead gorgeous sheethal sheth would have been not only more compelling but infinitely more believable. though i must concede that the recurring theme "all things indian are not bad" was well developed, especially in its culmination when ajay naidu's character took in a drunk sureel and let him see what he was all about. good try.

asdalin I was lucky enough to see American Chai in my sneak preview class. I'm wary of seeing some first time attempts at movie making, but this film was a total treat. I was drawn in from the first 5 minutes. The characters were completely believable and engaging, the story right on the mark, and the way the writer/director portrayed the cultural and generational differences resonated with many of the stories I've heard from my Indian friends. I found it completely charming, funny, and touching. I heartily recommend seeing this film if it comes to your local theater.