Short Film Review “Ronnie California: The King of Artesia” The absurdly wild, wacky, innocently nefarious tale of an Indian immigrant
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First, the Recap:
The zeal to excel, discover lasting success, and have the satisfaction that you’ve not just “made it”, but have also elevated yourself above what might have been previous, far less ideal circumstances. It’s more than a worthy endeavor to strive for, and also achieve, especially for those who have chosen to immigrate to the U.S. in search of that “greener pasture” and, of course, “The American Dream”. However, what per chance might happen when the MEANS by which one’s sought after success gets pursued isn’t really above board…AND about to be exposed??
In Artesia, CA we find a small, out-of-the-way sari shop run by the playfully charismatic but admittedly dubious, undeniably unscrupulous Suresh aka: Ronnie California (Anand Mahalingam), the (self-designated, mind you) “King of Artesia”. Finding that being involved in a totally illicit gambling operation that he runs out of the back of the disheveled front of house “store”, a local group of women lead by the fiery Shivani (Shalini Bathina) has finally come to make him face the music for his shenanigans. So, what could possibly go more wrong for “his majesty”??
Next, my Mind:
In my experiences within the South Asian film realms over the last 10 years, it has personally stood out for me that it is often a bastion for having addressed themes done over and over again, BUT making them fresh, fun, impactful, and entertainingly engaging while also carrying relevant cultural and social messaging without being “preachy” about it. We are also currently aware that the hotbed topic that is immigration, and consequently the immigrants themselves, remains at the forefront of debate and scrutiny (whether negative or positive) here in the U.S. as well as other countries around the world. So, with this independent 16-minute short film from writer/director Adi Kalidindi, producers Anand Mahalingam and Katy Wicker, plus executive producer Ashish Penematcha that chooses to focus on the core concept of what it is to be an Indian immigrant in America and searching for the success the nation is supposed to represent, we are provided a much more vibrantly invigorating approach than we are used to when it comes to the subject matter at hand…..HUMOR! LOTS of totally ridiculous, fully hilarious, over-the-top HUMOR!
This critic extends a genuine “THANK YOU!” to Kalidindi & Co. for adopting this fashion of direction, as let’s face it, HUMOR is what we are in desperate NEED of, perhaps even MORE SO when it’s centered around topics we still DO need to take seriously and consider, but in a FAR more constructive manner. Now, granted, here things are quite simply and effectively ludicrous and purposefully exaggerated. BUT, make no mistake, there IS a valid, noteworthy statement being made here, at least in my opinion. The narrative finds its legs following a failing businessman in an seriously lacking, equally paltry sari shop whose answer to “success” therefore is to use the store as a front for running an illegal gambling outfit in the back, even as a group of local women decide to “out” him once and for all. Alone, there is such a deep satiric edginess to the more than conspicuous jocularity, with even the characters themselves almost a parody of what some might think as stereotypical South Asian people. But, this isn’t to offend by any means. It’s an intentional “wink wink nod nod” at how many view immigrants in this country without actually KNOWING them.
Once the grander perception, even literally of Indians, is put into this perspective, the film is then willing to poke fun AT their OWN people and the ways in which they view things being an immigrant in the U.S. while only wishing to acquire the levels of real achievement that many actually DO with flying colors. Yet, some do NOT, as is the case here, then resorting to figuratively or literally changing WHO they are for the sake of believing THAT is the path TO financial and personal accomplishment. And then there’s turning to overt criminality, which is where the hysterical insanity this film is infused with comes to beautifully executed light, as every instance the situation is attempting to correct itself, it instead only gets more and more out of control. It’s honestly delightful and you will, or SHOULD, find yourself as the viewer pretty much laughing for a majority of the runtime. Thematic ventures cover culture clashes, language barriers, trying to be a “big boss”, role models/those we try to look up to and then get disappointed by, being used when unwilling to stand up for ourselves, the realities of prejudice, beliefs in a new start and a better life, and choosing to take the higher road when others get caught in their unworthy deeds all come into play here, again mostly through comedic nuttiness but also SOME moments of real seriousness.
The finale speaks to both overall atmospheres the film conveys, again with wittiness and drama, while ultimately speaking volumes to the myriad of notions about what it really is to arrive in another land to BE improved, only to then find the road FAR harder, even possibly unfriendly, than anticipated. But it does also showcase that being an utterly conniving cad does NOT pay off as well, in the most hysterical ways. Mahalingam is an absolute, laugh-inducing RIOT from the start through his role as Ronnie, enacting a character so overtly (and again, intentionally) nonsensical that to NOT be in stitches watching him would be a serious injustice. An immigrant whose attempts to make a better way for himself via opening a sari shop has become a disaster, Ronnie instead chooses the path of delinquency by running an crooked gambling outfit for other local deadbeats in order to try and make ends meet. However, the local community, primarily a group of evidently highly disgruntled wives, decide to confront Ronnie and put an end to his shady doings, even as he might also face mutiny from within as well. It’s an exercise in silliness that Mahalingam excels at.
Nirvan Patnaik plays Sidd, Ronnie’s totally (and also whimsically) affable but hapless clerk/co-worker who, needless to say, bears the brunt of both his boss’ and the obnoxious back room clientele’s blatant mistreatment of him at the store, more a scapegoat than valued employee. But, it soon becomes apparent that Sidd may NOT be putting up with it much longer, and it does add an interesting layer of tension and ultimately serious moments to the otherwise crazy proceedings. Patnaik is so endearing as this poor, under appreciated sap who finds the fortitude to finally stand up for himself. Bathina wholly shines here as Shivani, the de facto “leader” of the women/wives who’ve come to be the catalyst for Ronnie’s reckoning. With a degree of perfectly executed sass, defiance, and just plain “you will NOT disrespect us” intensity, it is an unequivocal hoot to watch how adeptly Shivani systematically breaks down anything Ronnie attempts to throw at her during their encounters. Bathina exudes this awesome amount of controlled, deadpan delivery plus excellent comedic timing that serves the character and the instances involved SO well.
Rama Vallury is Neel, apparently one of Ronnie’s most frequent “customers” in the back room, a card/poker player who has NO problem stating his opinions about anything or anyone while feeding what is most evidently a major gambling addiction. Having moments of disagreement with one of the other players as well as with Ronnie’s ability to try and keep things on the level with them all during the time he’s trying to keep their operations in play, Vallury adds yet another level of outlandish humor to events. Schuyler Jeffress plays Art, another of the main card/poker players who becomes the target of Neel’s dissatisfaction with their game and the brewing upending of their “escape” from real life, which we get the impression for Art (and the others for that matter!) isn’t MUCH of one to begin with. Supporting turns arrive from Anne Akhila, Anusha Angur, Skyler Bible, Yehuda Nahari Halevi, Vishaka Iyer, Tim De La Motte, Robert John Sudhoff, and Jon McCormack.
So, in total, “Ronnie California: The King of Artesia” is a rollicking yet resolute, ridiculous yet relevant exploration of legitimate immigrants and the realities they face, but presented in a manner that allows for it to be made fun of while not remotely invalidating the truths we should all, as human beings, embrace when it comes to the pursuit of only wishing to experience the betterment of ourselves and those around us. Just don’t make that come to pass by running a cheap sari store that acts as a cover for illegitimate gambling! Folks, CRIME DOESN’T PAY, either. Just saying.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
