The Buddha of Suburbia (1994)

Just perfect...

Expected more

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Karim's mother is English and his father is Indian. Therefore Karim has some problems with life in British society which is becoming more and more racist and intolerant; he experiences this especially when he wants to find himself a way of becoming an actor.While I know nothing about racism in England, especially in the 1970s, this was a rather interesting film because it had the Indian/English focus, as opposed to the black/white focus we tend to have with American films. It is a different dynamic, and I have to wonder how it all works there. I don't think of Indians as being one of the more hated racial groups, but in England you do have that colonialism stigma factored in.Naveen Andrews nailed it. I was not aware of who he was until "Lost", but this mini-series shows he was a great actor long before that. I have to wonder why he wasn't noticed sooner. Then again, he seems to be stuck with ethnically ambiguous roles (on "Lost" he was Iraqi), so maybe his full value is not appreciated yet.

The fact that this movie "American Desi" has become the focus of these ABCD's is sheer proof that they have missed the boat on the whole issue surrounding The Diaspora experience. Spoof it may be; but anything hedging upon reality; they will never know ...Back in the 70's when "East Meets West" / "Puhrab Au Pachim" came out, many questioned the actuality of such lifestyles actually becoming a reality.late 80's Buddha of Suburbia" by Hanif Quraishi/Ivory/Merchant production came out, giving us a truly deep insight to this sad phenomenon. Of the many Indo-Pak people I deal with - aged over 30, very few have ever heard of this movie - let alone have seen it.What is captured in Buddha of Suburbia is the many nuances and differences that exist between the old and the new - each taking pot-shots at each other and each looking more ridiculous than the other. I found the pace to be right on the mark - missing nothing.I suppose - having lived directly within these various cultures does give one a better understanding/insight to what Hanif is driving at. The story - told through Naveen's eyes really encapsulated every sublime - bizarre aspect of these cultures in conflict.Later movies such as Mississippi Masala and Monsoon Wedding (both worthy of mention) seem to fall a little short of The Buddha of Suburbia when dealing with so sensitive a topic and people ...What is more sad, is that many of those who do cleave (by whichever degree) to their culture tradition, language, religion, culinary skills, mode of dress, etc., are erroneously ridiculed as being FOB's.While the FOB's shake their heads in utter amazement at how distanced, these DESI's are from anything pertaining to India - these ABCD's turn up their noses at these "ignorant" FOB's. So it is, that these two groupings rarely connect with each other. In the DESI's attempt to become so modern/enlightened and superior, they sorely lack openness and understanding ...

Having read the novel almost a decade ago and not quite understanding it (probably too young), I finally decided to pick up this BBC series on video. I think i understood it better being 10 years wiser.The series is firmly cemented on the wonderful actor Naveen Andrews (now best known for the ABC series "Lost"). Taking place over a span of a decade, the early 70's to the 80's, when Thatcher came to power, the series is epic in scope. Showcasing the rising tide of the new young Indo-Brits and their dreams, aspirations and longing to belong to a culture of their own (instead of the tradition bound or anglo majority).The series is filled with race relations, morality, social issues and political comment. The character of Karim is in almost every frame of the series. And all of the other characters are seen interplaying with Karim.The most interesting storyline is the at times comical, but ultimately bitter subplot involving the Indian groom Changez and his reluctant British bride Jamila. Wonderful performance by Harish Patel.At times the series does start to meander into meaningless territory, such as the plot involving Charly and the punk rock band. But again, the great acting by Andrews pulls the story back to the forefront.I can compare this series to a very long movie...an excellent 4 hours spent on a great British serial.And one more thing, the soundtrack is a major highlight. Great tunes from the 70's. Not to be missed by Naveen Andrews fans.

Then again, why should it be. Those who watch this and comment about it being vacuous, etc., did not watch the same film I did. Of course the film is less detailed than the novel. Of course there's going to be some "stereotyping". But have you ever seen a film that didn't? This film gave voice (in the body of beautiful Mr. Andrews) to a young emerging culture. That of the Indo-Brit who was born in England, not India. Trying to fit in, yet knowing the conservative party/culture at the time would not let them. While not meant to be hysterical, this film has enough laughs to help you make it through its 220 minutes. It has enough passion to help you understand the feelings. And it has enough meaning to make you understand that not all things (causes, beliefs) can be folded neatly and packaged away for American viewers.Watch this film. You will not want your time back. Cheers.