Ocean of Pearls (2007)

38% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(80 ratings)

A man who moves between two worlds but belongs to neither discovers that in order to find peace he will first have to achieve his own singular identity in this introspective drama from director Sarab S. Neelam. Amrit Singh is a turban-wearing Sikh who lives in North America. Lately Amrit has begun… More A man who moves between two worlds but belongs to neither discovers that in order to find peace he will first have to achieve his own singular identity in this introspective drama from director Sarab S. Neelam. Amrit Singh is a turban-wearing Sikh who lives in North America. Lately Amrit has begun to feel as if his religion and his surroundings are completely at odds. But while this ambitious misfit knows that he possesses the drive to be a success, he must first strike a peaceful balance between Eastern philosophy and Western lifestyle. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Sarab Neelam
Written By: Sarab Neelam, V. Prasad
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Mar 2, 2008 Wide
Studio: Light Post Pictures

Critic Reviews

Ernest Hardy, Village Voice
Overly earnest but engaging.
Rachel Saltz, New York Times
Ocean, smoothly directed by Sarab S. Neelam, mostly comes down on the side of tradition and, like Amrit, is dutiful and virtuous. And, like him, it's also a bit too well mannered to make a strong impact.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
That Neelam was a medical doctor before becoming a filmmaker gives his picture its exceptional impact and complexity.
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle
It sounds heavy-handed, and it is. Although the film looks professional, it feels like a soap opera with a message. High marks for good intentions, but that's about all.
Tom Long, Detroit News
The acting here is surprisingly even and Neelam rarely betrays himself as a newbie behind the camera. For a local indie film, this Ocean is smooth indeed.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
A provocative, well-acted and moderately heartfelt drama that suffers from lack of bite and boldness while resorting to oversimplifications, facileness and contrivance.
Chuck Bowen, Slant Magazine
Ocean of Pearls is, underneath the gross sentimentality, racist and shameless, and it might be dangerous if it weren't so forgettable and on-the-nose.
Lance Goldenberg, L.A. Weekly
Rest assured that all is resolved with a minimum of muss, fuss and imagination.