The Guru (2002)
-
57% of critics liked it
(87 reviews) -
38% of users liked it
(18,982 ratings)
A visitor from the mysterious East arrives in New York -- not to offer the wisdom of the ages, but to make it big as a dancer in this "fish-out-of-water" comedy. Ramu Chandra Gupta (Jimi Mistry) grew up in India on a steady diet of movie musicals, particularly local Bollywood spectaculars… More A visitor from the mysterious East arrives in New York -- not to offer the wisdom of the ages, but to make it big as a dancer in this "fish-out-of-water" comedy. Ramu Chandra Gupta (Jimi Mistry) grew up in India on a steady diet of movie musicals, particularly local Bollywood spectaculars and vintage American song-and-dance films. Ramu grew up with the dream of one day making it big as a dancer, and in time he found a job as a dance instructor. However, Raimu believes his destiny lies in the United States, and he leaves India behind to relocate to New York City. Unfortunately, Ramu's bright new future isn't exactly awaiting him, and he's soon sharing an overstuffed apartment with distant relatives in Queens while working in an Indian restaurant. An audition for a film director named Dwain (Michael McKean) turns out to be a tryout for a porno movie -- a role Ramu does not get when he fails to rise to the occasion. However, he does make the acquaintance of one of Dwain's "starlets," Sharona (Heather Graham), with whom he soon finds himself infatuated. Ramu gets a job entertaining guests at a party catered by his relatives when the performer originally booked is incapacitated. While Ramu's Bollywood-style dancing goes over well enough, he makes a deeper impression on Lexi (Marisa Tomei), an enthusiastic but half-bright student of Eastern philosophy who regards Ramu a font of wisdom as well as a hot date. Ramu quickly becomes the toast of New York's upper crust, and scores an agent, Josh (Rob Morrow), but how long will it be before folks realize Ramu is rather low on the enlightenment scale? And can he find happiness with Sharona while Lexi is still in the picture? The Guru also features Christine Baranski and Malachy McCourt. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Daisy von Scherler Mayer
- Written By
- Tracey Jackson
- Genres
- Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 31, 2002 Wide
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
Critic Reviews
-
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
It's good fun -- almost a musical.
-
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Devoid of life, intelligence, humor, and anything else that could entertain even the most undemanding viewer, this film is a perfect example of something that should have been shipped to landfills, not multiplexes.
-
Dan Via, Washington Post
A precipitous comedic falloff in the third quarter earns the film a qualified recommendation at best.
-
Ted Fry, Seattle Times
With a reach that frequently falls short, higher wit and sexual sophistication crumble into plain old silliness.
-
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
A trifle, a silly one at that, but it's a charming trifle that's hard to resist.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Heather Graham
as Sharonna
-
Marisa Tomei
as Lexi
-
Jimi Mistry
as Ramu Chandra Gupta
-
Michael McKean
as Dwain
-
Christine Baranski
as Chantal
-
Rob Morrow
as Josh
-
Malachy McCourt
as Father Flannagan
-
Sanjeev Bhaskar
as Cook
- Tom McCarthy
- Emil Marwa
- Ronald Guttman
