American Chai
Magic Lamp Releasing | Release Date: April 5, 2002 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
46
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews
Positive:
4
Mixed:
5
Negative:
3

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
Film ThreatMerle Bertrand
This well made, slightly cornball and riotously comical romantic comedy not only extols the old fashioned American dream, but charmingly celebrates the virtues of the great American melting pot as well. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerSteven Rea
The picture uses humor and a heartfelt conviction to tell a story about discovering your destination in life. Read full review
70
New Times (L.A.)David Ehrenstein
Full of fresh and unexpected observations about the cross-culturally complex lives of second-generation Indians living in the U.S. Read full review
63
New York PostMegan Lehmann
Much of the movie's gentle charm comes from Mehta, the director's younger brother, making his acting debut. Read full review
60
The New York TimesLawrence Van Gelder
American Chai may not tell a new story, but in its understanding, often funny way, it tells a story whose restatement is validated by the changing composition of the nation. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Mehta says it all so articulately and with such good humor. Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Perceptive, good-natured movie. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
The ethnicity of its leads is the only novel aspect of an otherwise bland exercise. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
There are no surprises in this movie -- not even in the Bollywood parodies, when the hero and heroine finally, subversively kiss. There is talent, though. Read full review
30
L.A. WeeklyMark Olsen
Chai's structure and pacing are disconcertingly slack. Missing the loose ends and ambiguities of actual conversation, the dialogue makes characters sound like they're delivering speeches rather than interacting. Read full review
30
Village VoiceEd Park
As earnest as a community-college advertisement, American Chai is enough to make you put away the guitar, sell the amp, and apply to medical school. Read full review
30
Washington PostDesson Thomson
This ethnic family sitcom thing is rapidly turning into wearisome cliche, and American Chai doesn't hold a candle to either "Beckham" or "Greek Wedding." Read full review
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46 Critic Reviews

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