"I'm not ashamed of myself."
Relationships are interesting. Shrouded in mystery and intrigue, they bring out the best and worst in individuals during their most vulnerable times. But they are also beautiful. Showcasing the love and admiration humans can share as they work to discover someone they love unconditionally. Capturing that balance is difficult, especially with a cultural twist.
Over two decades ago, My Big Fat Greek Wedding successfully crafted a story that, Greek or not, fans enjoyed. Now Roshan Sethi is working to repeat that feat with their adaptation of Madhuri Shekar's play, A Nice Indian Boy. And though the film doesn't hit on every cylinder, it does more than enough to warm your heart and spark joy as you witness two men work through their differences to unite as one.
The film opens on the wedding of Naveen's (Karan Soni) smart, successful, and attractive older sister, Arundhathi. Her husband, an equally dashing Indian man, quickly sets the story in motion as you cannot miss the smiles from the siblings' status-fixated parents. A few moments are spent on Naveen as he ponders the possibility of him having his own equally exuberant wedding. Though he's out to his fairy progressive family, he doesn't share much with them, building a strong wall around his private life. Satisfied with the balance of information, they don't pry for more than Naveen is willing to transmit.
Moments later, after a time jump, we see that very little has changed. Naveen, still exclusively dating his job, struggles to connect with his family, feeling undervalued given his homosexuality and lack of relationship progress. But he soon finds himself face to face with a potential suitor in kind, charming, and occasionally too sweet Jay (Jonathan Groff). Jay, an undeniable white man, practices Hinduism and possesses a unique fascination with Bollywood. We soon learn the source of those character traits: he was adopted by now-deceased Indian parents who introduced him to the culture and religion. Interestingly, it is their unexpected cultural alignment that causes Naveen to take pause.
A Nice Indian Boy follows the men as their relationship progresses. Both Soni and Groff give great performances as they navigate the meet-cute phase of their courtship, awkwardly catching sight of one another at a Hindu temple. After their initial date, a montage takes over, showcasing their growth as Jay moves in, and the two take a more serious approach to their connection. Up to this point, the film has focused primarily on the comedy. Here, Sethi begins to integrate more dramatic elements, giving the situation a more genuine, if not oversimplified, feel.
Screenwriter Eric Randall beautifully intertwines emotionally charged, heartfelt moments into the story, allowing viewers to get swept up in the romance of it all. And even though a quick argument escalates, the simplicity of the conflict resolution reminds us of the importance of communication. And though the journey is, in large part, an integral section of the film, the third act wedding is where we've always known we'd end up.
That is part of the film's charm. We're never in doubt of where the story is headed. A Nice Indian Boy doesn't exist without a massive, spirited wedding. Though the predictability will surely frustrate a select few, knowing the ultimate destination doesn't distract from the film's central themes of love and self-acceptance. And in a year like this, that's an enormous (and vital) win for humanity.
