Shades of Ray (2008)

Powerful

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

I became a Zachary Levi fan in the now completed TV series "Chuck" where he played an undercover agent. Here he is Ray Rehman, son of a Pakastani father and a "white" mother. He grew up in New Jersey and never looked at himself as anything more than an American kid. But his dad always warned him against marriage (It is like having your testicles caught in a bear trap.) and also about marrying a "white" woman.But Ray grows up, graduates from college, and the story picks up 18 years later in the Los Angeles area. Ray's dad thinks he is an investment banker, but he is a bartender attempting to have an acting career. Mom knows what is going on, she accepts it.Ray proposes to his girlfriend, Bonnie Somerville as Noel Wilson . She is "white" and that worries dad, who shows up in California unannounced and proceeds to force Ray into "seeing" a daughter of a Pakistani friend. It works because Noel hadn't said 'yes' yet, so Ray didn't know if they would remain a couple. The new girl is Sarah Shahi as Sana Khaliq. They have an instant connection because both of them are 'mutts', with "white" mothers. Veteran actors Brian George as dad Javaid Rehman and Kathy Baker and mom Janet Rehman round out the family. Both are excellent. So the movie is about Ray, the "shades" of skin in his life. Will he marry the "white" girl or will be be swept away by the "mutt" who is perhaps the first person to actually relate to his situation?SPOILERS: There is some mandatory drama and comedy in a mix-up, but Noel agrees to marry him, and Sana goes to Mexico to do a school year teaching English. Ray decides Noel is not the one for him, he corresponds with Sana, and as the movie ends she shows up, on a break, with a big sombrero for Ray, it looks like they are on their way to bonding.

I recently had the pleasure of watching Jaffar Mahmood's movie "Shades of Ray". I was totally impressed with Jaffar's characters and the the way they all interacted with each other. I thought the dialogue was well done. You became wrapped up in Ray's life and wanted to see him through this time in his life.I really enjoyed the great comedic timing of the movie and found myself laughing more than I had in a long time.Brian George was wonderful as Ray's father.His portrayal of a Pakastani father trying to get his son to follow tradition was very touching. Ray's roommate,Fran Krantz was great.I really enjoyed his character.However I have to admit that the best part of the movie for me was Zach Levi! What a bonus for Jaffar to get him to act in this great movie. I am a big fan of Zach and I think he did a great job as Ray. I almost fell off of my chair during one of his audition scenes in the movie.I am hoping that with Zach's success in Chuck that someone will jump at the chance to distribute Jaffar's movie. I have one comment to make about the one and only bad review that the movie received- did that person see the same movie that I did? I did not want the movie to end and look forward to when I can see it again!I would recommend this movie to everyone. I look forward to future movies from Jaffar.

I saw this film in Austin, and it is really dreadful. The acting, directing, production, lighting, script, photography......need I go on. It's obvious the director doesn't have a clue what he's doing.I realise this movie has lots of good reviews, but it's pretty obvious these are all from friends and relatives of the director, Jaffar Mahmood.It's clear he doesn't know how to direct. The script is cheesy. Every camera angle is by the book. Oh please, is this the result of attending the Peter Stark school.Jaffar, give yourself a break and retire. There are plenty talented directors out there who could do a far superior job.Oh, and please refrain from using your friends and family in order to market this obvious flop. They deserve better than to be dragged in to you r desperate attempts in achieving fame and fortune.I just hope Zach Levy manages to live this one down. He's obviously destined for stardom, and it's best he retires this turkey to the scrapheap.

Brilliant exploration of identity conflicts of new generation Americans of mixed ethnicity; Perfectly portrayed by Zachary Levi as son of a Pakistani immigrant father and Caucasian catholic American mother; Timely, since our president-elect Barack Obama (product of mixed ethnicity) went through identity crisis in his early life; Insightful in portraying struggles of first generation immigrants - in this case, a Pakistani father (masterfully played by Brian George) who after 35 years of blissful living in America is still struggling with his early values.Jaffar Mahmood as writer/director has done an excellent job in casting where all the characters are able to convey the multitude of human emotions - Love, joy, desires, hopes, conflicts- in such an effortless manner as if they are really living through it all. Congratulations Jaffar for being able to achieve this caliber of movie as your first venture on shoestring budget. I hope some insightful distributor will have the "audacity" of showing this movie to American audience at large.