Review by Karen Samdahl (B+)

Meet the Patels features Ravi Patel, a real-life actor who you may have seen in episodes of TV shows like Perception, Bones, The Michael J. Fox Show, Hawaii Five-O and also some movie roles.  He will be a regular on the new fall 2015 sitcom Master of None.  In Meet the Patels, Ravi has just broken up with his long-time American (non-Indian) girlfriend, whom he never had the courage to introduce to his traditional parents.  He is losing hope he will ever find his soulmate and future wife.  His own mother is a traditional Indian matchmaker, but Ravi, born-and-bred American boy, has never considered going the arranged marriage route himself.   Now, discouraged, he decides to give his parents' way a try.  Thus starts this unique film adventure.  Ravi's sister Geeta is the filmmaker, and the film is truly a family affair.  The first shots are of home-movie quality, but the film quality quickly improves.  The next surprise is the animation that is interspersed with the filming.  At first it jars a bit, but soon you realize it is a brilliant way to glue the scenes together. 

Ravi, himself, is a funny guy and you cannot help but like him and feel for his plight.   To be honest, his is an Everyman and Everywoman plight, especially in modern America.  How to find a spouse? Even how to find a boyfriend or girlfriend? Twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings will truly relate to this film, as will their parents and grandparents who keep waiting and waiting…. 

You will also fall in love with Ravi's parents, especially his Dad who always has a smile on his face and is also a really funny guy.  You cannot help but admire their never-ending support of their son despite all the trials and tribulations while they watch him endure one disastrous date after another.

Meet the Patels is technically a documentary, but it plays like a feature comedy film.  It won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Los Angeles Film Festival 2014 and the Grand Prize, Audience Award at the Traverse City Film Festival 2014.  Best of all, it did so well after the Seattle Film Festival that it got picked up by a studio to be released this Friday.  If you've had your fill of the summer blockbusters and want to refresh with a totally different comedic experience, watch for this film!

Review by Erik Samdahl. Erik is a marketing and technology executive by day, avid movie lover by night. He is a member of the Seattle Film Critics Society.