Bollywood/hollywood

East meets West in this enchanting and hilarious tale of romantic intrigue as director Deepa Mehta seamlessly fuses Bollywood conventions with contemporary Hollywood mores. Rahul (Rahul Khanna), raised in Toronto, is nevertheless forced by his family to follow tradition and marry a proper Indian girl. He finds a creative solution in the form of Sunita, a.k.a. Sue (Lisa Ray), a woman of questionable background and equally crafty means. Melodrama reigns and characters break into song, just as Indian cinema dictates. Mehta, however, adds a playful self-consciousness, underscoring her technique and reminding us of the film's North American roots. She also skillfully inserts Bollywood references at every level, wisely formulating a hyper-real atmosphere. It is in this type of environment that the elaborate musical numbers shine.

In "Bollywood/Hollywood," Mehta expertly fashions a fascinating hybrid that is sure to delight audiences with its good-natured and well-timed humor, and its unabashed refusal to take itself seriously. Starring Rahul Khanna, Lisa Ray, Ranjit Chowdry and Jessica Paré. Directed and written by Deepa Mehta. Produced by David Hamilton. A Cine Bella release. Romantic comedy. Unrated. Running time: 103 min