Set in a suburban New Jersey community, it’s a sweet portrayal of immigrant families
Minority representation in American entertainment has been a topic of debate for many years now. While one continues to see more new faces of color emerging in mainstream, it is often a rare, sweet story showing the diaspora as they are wedged between their new lives and the lives they left behind in their home countries that manage to truly depict the immigrant struggle.
‘India Sweets and Spices,’ a sweet comedy set in a suburban New Jersey community manages to succinctly showcase the Indian American hyphenated identities in the country.
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The story written by Geeta Malik, even though it does not deviate from the similar trajectory some other great movies showcasing immigrant families have taken, but is still a sweet portrayal.
The story follows the life of an Indian American young girl, Alia played by Sophia Ali. The younger generation as expected scoffs at the dubious values shown by the infamous South Asian aunties in the West.
Back home for summer from her college, Alia finds herself to be a misfit in her parents’ affluent, gossipy social circle. Her mom, played by Manisha Koirala, has some really gripping scenes and one does wish to see more of her in the movie.
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Adil Hussain plays the role of protagonist’s dad and his balanced, humorously powerful performance aptly represents the emotions of an immigrant dad.
Alia’s mom Sheila is devoted to keeping up with vanity and show-off as the rest of her ‘friends,’ in the group. While the lavish parties thrown by neighbors serve as the perfect excuse to brag about wealth and social status, Alia decides to challenge the trajectory of the parties by inviting their new neighbors who own a sweet shop.
Appalled by their daughter’s choice of social circle, the parents invite the new family smugly, who are then given the cold shoulder by other equally vain guests at the party.
Read: India Sweets and Spices review – likable Indian American family comedy (November 29, 2022)
The fact that Alia fancies the shopkeeper’s son is enough action to stir the fake high society tea pot. Slowly as layers come out one witnesses what lies beneath the exterior keeping up with the Joneses culture.
The commendable thing about the story remains that even though the cultural defects are highlighted, it is never done in a condescending manner. In a pure, light hearted humor one is forced to evaluate the right from the wrong – and that is a win for any comic story!