Review of movie FOR HERE OR TO GO?

×

Rating:2.5/5

Indie films featuring NRIs in the US are typical. Cultural differences culminate in comic circumstances, the great American dream crumbles and immigrant issues surface. Here, we also have an ABCD (American-born-confused-desi) who hopes to connect with her roots by admitting her love for the motherland in her distinct twang: “I love masala choy!” This one packs in the usual and also aspires to explore the pains of ‘temporary alien workers’ whose citizenship is directly impacted by their employment status.

Set in the Bay Area of Northern California, dubbed Silicon Valley, this one follows the dreams and aspirations of Vivek Pandit (Ali Fazal), a cog with an IT major, who has a tech solution that could supposedly revolutionise the healthcare sector. But with his visa running out, shifting from a corporate enterprise to a shifty start-up seems a bleak proposition, especially since no one is willing to sponsor his visa. Things go further south when another desi, Amit (Amitosh Nagpal) lands up in his apartment to pursue his own American dream. Tossed into this mix, in a desperate attempt at comic relief, is Omi Vaidya, who plays Lakshmi — another IT slave grappling with issues ranging from citizenship to sexuality.

This one had the potential to touch a necessary nerve of many immigrants struggling to survive while perceived to be enjoying first-world luxuries by their family and friends back home. It surely details their concerns (limitations of a work visa, employment restrictions) but what it hopes to convey often lazily makes it into dialogue. “Switching companies in a visa is a big headache. Why do you think I’ve been here [present employer] for so many years? Can’t quit, can’t start anything new!” These issues may resonate with Indians hoping to start a life in the United States. But spelling them out, underlining them and tying a bow around them, becomes a bit insufferable.