ABCD (1999)

65% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
36% of users liked it
(483 ratings)

New York University film student Krutin Patel debuts with this cross-cultural drama about a pair of Indian-American 20-somethings. Bedhopping Nina (Sheetal Sheth) is split between upper class white boy Sam (Rex Young) and childhood friend Ashok (Aasif Mandvi). Meanwhile, Nina's workaholic brother… More New York University film student Krutin Patel debuts with this cross-cultural drama about a pair of Indian-American 20-somethings. Bedhopping Nina (Sheetal Sheth) is split between upper class white boy Sam (Rex Young) and childhood friend Ashok (Aasif Mandvi). Meanwhile, Nina's workaholic brother Raj (Faran Tahir) is set for an arranged marriage with pleasant Tejal (Adriane Forlana Erdos), but he has eyes for sexy white co-worker Julia (Jennifer Dorr White). This film was screened in the 1999 London Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Krutin Patel
Written By: James McManus, Krutin Patel
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Nov 30, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Apr 20, 2004
Studio: Eros Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
An involving study of sibling and interpersonal relationships.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
It's polished without being slick; well-paced and graceful and brought alive by stellar performances led by Jaffrey.
Jan Stuart, Newsday
The bad news is that [Jaffrey] leaves us a little hungry for people whose destinies matter to us more than the ones served up here.
Jonathan Foreman, New York Post
Compassionate, funny and honest.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Sensitively acted.
Ed Park, Village Voice
ABCD's abecedarian treatment of melting-pot anxieties proves as jumbled and bland as alphabet soup.
Ted Murphy, Hollywood.com
ABCD gets an "A" for its intentions, but unfortunately just barely passes on all other accounts.
David Chute, L.A. Weekly
At times the deck is egregiously stacked.
David Noh, Film Journal International
Nothing particularly fresh or exciting, but its intentions are so sincere and, for the most part, it's so well-acted that it emerges as quite affecting.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
This fine film conveys the difficulty of living in a twilight zone between the customs of the old country and the ever-changing values of America.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
A story to appreciate, laugh at, and cry with no matter where you or your parents came from.
Anika Van Wyk, Jam! Movies
Thankfully, Patel does not take sides.
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Daily News
It's easy to see why ABCD has been a favorite on the film festival circuit for more than a year. Check it out while you can.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The film's style is best described as utilitarian, but it gets the job done.
Jean Oppenheimer, New Times
Despite the compelling subject matter and storyline, the film's execution isn't so persuasive: The dialogue is weak, much of the acting poor and the pace sluggish.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Its identity posturing is considerably less potent than that of Chutney Popcorn's.
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
The plight of culturally displaced Americans is given sensitive, humorous treatment in what could be the first film to treat the East Indian experience in America.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Leo L

An interesting movie that follows a pair of adult siblings raised in America, Nina and Raj are close, and supportive of each other, but the two possess characteristics that are as opposite to each other as night and day. Nina is headstrong, fierce, and obviously independent. Raj is… More
An interesting movie that follows a pair of adult siblings raised in America, Nina and Raj are close, and supportive of each other, but the two possess characteristics that are as opposite to each other as night and day. Nina is headstrong, fierce, and obviously independent. Raj is obedient, honest, and downright amiable. Constantly at ends with her mother, Nina rebels and chafes at the idea of conforming within marriage and traditions. Raj only hopes that the decisions, and the progress he has made, will only further please his mother, Anju. Hoping that her adult children will one day embrace their culture and traditions, Anju fears that their actions will result in horrible, and lonely, lifestyles so she strives to make the choices for them as much as this further infuriates her children. Sheetal Sheth, Aasif Mandvi, Faran Tahir, Madhur Jaffrey, David Ari, and Jennifer Dorr White stars. Worthy!

Cast

Madhur Jaffrey
as Mother
Faran Tahir
as Raj
Sheetal Sheth
as Nina

See full cast

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ABCD (1999)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Leo L

Cast

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