WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
Embodying the proverbial “fish out of water” usually sees us in a situation of complete and utter discomfort, confusion, or both. We innately desire to be in control. Therefore, when forced into places unfamiliar to our sense of normalcy, it can jar us to the core. But, is this not when we should perhaps make the attempt to be open to new experiences, new actualities, and in this discover a freedom we might have actually been longing for more than we initially realized?
A middle-aged Indian woman named Asha (Priya Deva) is now encountering such a plight. Used to simply being under the almost expected patriarchal whims of her overtly business-focused, hotel developer husband Suresh (Sameer Khan), the new property he is about to purchase is a generationally-passed-down Texas ranch run by current struggling owner Sally (Paula Saletnik). Not used to the atmosphere or physical labor-intensive lifestyle it represents, the ensuing journey Asha embarks on will forever transform her, and Sally’s, outlook on what hard work, passion, and what’s most important truly means.
Next, my Mind:
Cultural lifestyle shock collides with both initial resistance to, but then absolute recognition of, the desire and deep-seated need for a change in perspective thanks to this delightfully charming 16-minute short film from writer/director/executive producer Tejal Desai, producers Kirtana Banskota and Andrew Shinjang Lee, along with executive producers James Boisvenue and Deepa Desai. Delivered with a deft use of comedic and dramatic atmosphere accompanied by the backdrop of a Texas cattle ranch which serves as the primary catalyst for one character’s journey to personal awakening, the film solidly and honestly stands on its own while also being smartly utilized as proof of concept for the subsequently in development feature film version that will arrive in the future. Hence, this allows the viewer to wholeheartedly enjoy the entertainment and life-lesson-filled story presented while also creating the anticipation of what lies ahead for the more fleshed out treatment still to come.
The narrative that follows a middle-aged, distant, distracted, and inwardly unfulfilled Indian woman whose introduction to the highly jarring actualities of what it is to actually work hard, find total satisfaction in it, and realize her true self through it carries itself with beautiful pacing and very straightforward, uncomplicated execution so as not to TRY and be more than what it is while still engaging you completely, drawing you into the story, and leaving you wholly gratified in its ultimate simplicity. This critic personally feels this human, believable, and grounded approach is precisely what makes independent cinema the winning genre that it is, and nothing we have conveyed through this film feels forced or somehow pretentious, but rather genuine and from the soul. Basically, and here comes the word I simply can’t escape from sharing for films like this–RELATABLE. How the situationally hilarious elements get deftly intertwined with appropriately serious moments of revelation for our intrepid lead character works awesomely here, and gives us as the viewer someone and something to cheer for while BEING captured by the grander story.
 
 
Encountering brand new things, wishing to be appreciated FAR more than we are, the weight of generational legacy being lost, learning that working harder than usual has benefit and relevance for us in what it can reveal, experiencing fresh belief in what we actually CAN achieve and/or do, patriarchal mentalities, finding the means to improve and bring hope to others’ lives while embracing our own newfound liberation are all thematic tangents this film explores, again with the aforementioned blend of mirth and merit. Alone the illustration of what ranch life really entails is one that elicits awe and admiration, while providing many of said humorous instances along the way. This culminates into a finale that is jovially apropos, transparent in the multitude of statements it makes about not only South Asian conventions, but the grander willingness as PEOPLE to share our respective cultures, seeing how we can be a POSITIVE influence when we’re able to be open-minded, treating one another WITH the due acknowledgment we ALL deserve, and HELPING each other to mutual benefit. It’s necessary ideology we NEED to absorb. Period.
I have had the honor of watching multiple indie films now, mainly feature length, that employ the luminous presence that is Deva (see my thoughts on “Curry Scent” and “India Sweets & Spices“), who so keenly embodies the characters she plays, both comedically and dramatically, with the same magnitude of undeniable energy, poise, and grace each and every time. Here, the accomplished actress utilizes both of the aforementioned facets of performance to bring to life Asha, a middle-aged Indian woman whose life may appear “she has it all” when the truth is she is battling a vaguely buried sense of both entitlement and frustrated disassociation with who she really WANTS to be. Virtually “trapped” in a traditional, male-dominated marriage that sees her more play “servant” to her husband than an equal, the business deal he is in the midst of becomes an unexpected adventure in change that will both shake up and unshackle Asha’s entire identity.
This sudden, and NEEDED, set of circumstances that will transform Asha forever is so perfectly played by Deva, who navigates the character through some absurdly hysterical and affectingly serious moments that will redefine her reality while also waking her up to a refreshed concept of sharing her heritage while cultivating the means to allow someone else to get an equally refreshed start. A worthy performance from a still-very-much-rising star. Khan’s is likewise an accurate and almost playfully depicted caricature of the prototypical Indian husband through his role as Suresh, a successful, and truly self/work-obsessed businessman whose only real concern is to see a ranch purchase deal go through in order to develop the land for a new hotel. Whether at home, in the car, or at the location, Suresh’s focus doesn’t ever REALLY rest as it should on his quietly-but-conspicuously long-suffering wife, who only wants appreciation and BE allowed to, well, BE.
Even as Suresh strives for his goal, whether he will succeed or not remains in question as Asha’s “rebirth” is occurring right under his nose. Khan is splendidly solid here, portraying the character with purposefully, though still somewhat mildly, exaggerated ego-centricity that befits the character well, someone you’re silently wishing might at least get a LITTLE comeuppance. Â Saletnik shines with an understated but still fervently dynamic vitality through her role as Sally, the owner of a long-standing family ranch in financial dire straits about to see it all become a thing of the past with Suresh looking to buy the land for commercial development. However, when a series of meet-ups with Asha cause Sally to become teacher of ranching life to an initially reluctant but then highly receptive student, the vibrancy and excitement of that ethos gets rejuvenated, with possibilities running anew that, perhaps, still signal either the end or surprising, stimulating restoration.
 
 
Sally is the kind of character that endears herself to you, and Saletnik takes us there through her performance with ease and consummate believability. Supporting turns arrive first from Tara Amin as Mira, Suresh’s mother and hence Asha’s mother-in-law who without saying almost a single word of dialogue exudes an unquestionably riotous amount of “are you kidding me?!”/”don’t mess with me!!”/”stand up for yourself!!” demeanor that one cannot help but consistently chuckle at. Whitney Abraham appears as the hapless realtor who must deal with Suresh and Asha’s arrival at the ranch for the first time, mostly to her (amusing!) dismay. So, in total, “Cowboys & Hindus” successfully ropes us in with its astutely endearing story, sense of humor, touching drama, and credible characters, plus offering a portrait of life’s twists and turns that can transfigure and guide us to find our genuine selves. So, let loose a hearty “Howdy!”, grab a shot (I know, “It BURNS!”), raise a toast to better pastures, and be prepared for great entertainment tempered with quality morals and messaging until the cows come home.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
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