Film No. 73 (2015) UnIndian. October 12th.

Film No. 73 (2015) October 12th.  6.45 PM READING Cinemas Belmont. 

"Do not underestimate the Indian Community Network" (Will's mate Shamir warns him of the rate at which news of his prospective romance may spread).

After watching UNindian I was reminded of those kids programs we watch again later in life hoping that they may be just as magical as we remember them. You know, that time in your life where your tastes are unsophisticated and a simple fairy tale formula with dialogue you didn't have to think about got you in! Oh, and don't forget there was always a happy ending.


The thing is, UNindian is aimed at more than just a juvenile audience. It is aimed …… well to tell you the truth I'm unsure where it is aimed. Brett Lee is bigger than The Sydney Harbour Bridge in the vast land of India, popularity wise. All famous cricketers are treated like movie stars there, so quite obviously the producers have taken a risk by assuming the people of the sub continent will rush to cinemas to watch their hero. I'm not sure what proportion of the public there can afford to go to the cinema.


Good Luck I say. Hugh Jackman has a big following in Asia. I'm thinking it might be a smart move for the Australian Cricket Board to ask him to open the bowling for Australia in the Boxing Day test, thus sacrificing ability for popularity, sell the TV rights to China and watch the money flow in. I wonder, however, if cricketers might shake their heads knowing an impostor has stepped into their territory. There would be an uprising, I suspect. 


Anyway UNindian is a sweet romance. There are some highly competent actors on show from Arka Das and Adam Dunn who play Lee's mates to Tannishtha Chatterjee who is quite charming as Meera. There is Bollywood colour and rhythm vibrating throughout and the Sydney backdrop is of travelogue quality. Just leave all your troubles in the foyer and let the harmless narrative wash over you. And yes, Lee has the look of a star but remember he's a professional cricketer and commentator not an actor. 4GUMS.