This funny, interesting, thoughtful documentary intersects religion, culture and identity while shining a light on Hindu Indians in America. Meet The Patels in Meet the Patels.  Ravi, is an Indian-American (or American Hindu), and actor. His parents emigrated to the United States where he and his older sister were born. Now 29,  his parents wonder why he’s not married. They volunteer — to find him a nice Hindu girl from the pool of Patels, that is. Ravi’s sister, Geeta, films the whole family as they search for her brother’s mate. You can imagine what happens OR, you could see the movie!

Funny.
The characters are so real, so “themselves”, so natural and love-able in front of the camera that I’m not surprised Ravi’s parents are getting invitations to be on TV. Their authenticity helps us see ourselves. We not only laugh at them but with them. We feel both their joy and their pain. In this country of rising interfaith, intercultural, and interracial marriage, many of us can relate to the drama between generations when it comes to this significant rite of passage. Like the release valve on a pressure cooker, this film allows us a welcome respite; to see the comedy in our own circumstances.

Interesting.
Numerous fictional films reveal the very real tension between tradition and modernity. Recall Fiddler on the Roof, Guess Whose Coming to Dinner, Whale Rider, Namesake, to name a few. This true story conveys that same strain but through a diary-style documentary with candid interviews and intermittent animation. The romantic plot develops as it goes along so that not even the filmmakers/storytellers know how it will end – until it does. Cartoon sketches tell part of the story for which there is no footage or punctuate new ideas and provide visual relief. Best of all, audiences get an in-depth look at what it means to be Indian and Hindu, actually Patel, in America today.

Thoughtful.
Conversations between Ravi and his sister coupled with his further introspection touch on a deeper obstacle to his getting hitched. It is not what you expect. As parents voice the fear of losing their culture and children fear disappointing their parents or failing to claim their own identity, we feel for both. It reminds me of when, many years ago, I attended a retreat for Jewish women. We sang, prayed, danced, meditated and journaled together. At the end, people shared their innermost hopes. A collective cheer of resounding agreement rose up when one woman exclaimed, “I just want my children to marry Jewish.” I admit that I felt a sense of inner horror. For I did not do so. My mind-gut silently but strongly rebutted, “I want my children to be happy.” Meet the Patels beautifully investigates and resolves the stress between these two views. 

This movie is more than what we learn about Ravi and his family. It is most poignant when Ravi shares what he learns about himself: that the real obstacle isn’t his family’s wishes or his failure to find the right girl, but –partial spoiler alert – himself. Here, we tread in real wisdom. The film’s universal value emerges, poking us with these questions: In what ways do I obstruct my path? How do I get out of my way? How might doing so deepen all relationships? What’s stopping me? Today, we are all Patels and Patels are all us. And for this, I hope we cheerfully applaud.

Explore the Movie Guides on the Resources page for ideas of films you can show and discuss with your children or students.