The Guru
Universal Pictures | Release Date: January 31, 2003 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
47
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews
Positive:
9
Mixed:
15
Negative:
6
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
83
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Bright dialogue and finely embroidered performances adorn The Guru like festive beading on a pair of made-in-India bedroom slippers. Read full review
80
Washington PostRita Kempley
A joyous genre-blender guaranteed to crank up your karma. Read full review
75
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
The first pleasant surprise of 2003, a cross-cultural romantic comedy that doesn't stint on romance or comedy, and- - when you least expect and most need it- - throws in some jaunty musical numbers of its own. Read full review
70
L.A. WeeklyHazel-Dawn Dumpert
By the time a Bollywood production number segues into the finale from "Grease," the transition not only makes perfect sense, it sparkles. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesManohla Dargis
The Guru turns out to be just a flirtation with the musical rather than a full-on embrace. That's a shame because the musical interludes are where the film wears its heart and finds its soul. Read full review
70
SalonCharles Taylor
Delightful screwball comedy. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeWesley Morris
The movie offers up too many airy spiritual lessons in the hope of crossing from farce to sentiment. Read full review
63
USA TodayStaff [Not Credited]
Agreeable and slipshod in equal fashion, The Guru illustrates the subtle distinction between stupidity and goofiness. Read full review
63
Chicago TribuneRobert K. Elder
Hits more laughs than it misses and its characters are likable, empathetic people. Read full review
60
Village VoiceEd Park
As a dirtier Deepak, Mistry is blankly sweet, suitable for his role as Subcontinental Rorschach. Read full review
58
Portland OregonianKim Morgan
Terrific musical numbers and interesting premise. Read full review
50
Washington PostDan Via
A spirited rally in the final reel can't quite overcome the damage. Read full review
50
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
As a romantic comedy this is a cut above the norm, satirical in its treatment of both spiritually bereft New Yorkers and materialistic Indian immigrants. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleCarla Meyer
Silly and soulful. Read full review
50
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
Offers precious little inspiration, and the only irony it manages is surely unintended. Read full review
50
Film ThreatClint Morris
It may have the melody, visage and basics of a Bollywood biggie, but truth be told, The Guru, despite it’s zest and lure, gives the far-off genus a bad wrap. Read full review
50
New York PostJonathan Foreman
It's a film pregnant with comic possibility that ought to be much funnier than it is. Read full review
50
Rolling StonePeter Travers
Graham, back in the porn territory she aced in “Boogie Nights,” steals the show. In the winter doldrums, you don't kick at a movie that puts a smile on your face. Read full review
40
The New YorkerAnthony Lane
It may have the melody, visage and basics of a Bollywood biggie, but truth be told, The Guru, despite it’s zest and lure, gives the far-off genus a bad wrap. [3 February 2003, p.98]
40
Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern
A film that tries constantly to amuse, but succeeds only fitfully.
40
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
It's refreshing to see an American movie with an Indian protagonist not played by a white actor in makeup, but it would be a lot more refreshing if that actor (Jimi Mistry) were given a character to play, not just a comic conceit and near-toxic levels of enthusiasm. Read full review
40
VarietyDerek Elley
A generally entertaining but rather old-fashioned romantic comedy. Read full review
40
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
The jabs at the expense of self-centered New Yorkers with more money than sense are so mild they're pointless -- if satire doesn't hurt, what's the point? Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
There’s not a whole lot of heft to von Scherler Mayer’s romantic comedy with ethnic Indian entanglements; it’s like overdone naan, too flaky and ephemeral for its own good, but still somehow appetizing. Read full review
38
Miami HeraldHoward Cohen
Swami says, “Steer clear of The Guru, a dismally dumb sex comedy, lest you waste $9 and 90 minutes of your life you will never get back.'' Read full review
30
The New York TimesStephen Holden
A grindingly conventional comedy that insists on tying up its subplots in pretty ribbons and bows. Read full review
30
Dallas ObserverEric Celeste
There are enough good scenes within the 94 minutes of The Guru to make an entertaining coming-attractions trailer. Read full review
25
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Ray Conlogue
Here is a truly unfunny comedy from Universal Studios, which seems determined to prove that Hollywood can be opportunistic and clueless at the same time. Read full review
25
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
Devoid of life, intelligence, humor, and anything else that could entertain even the most undemanding viewer, this film is a perfect example of something that should have been shipped to landfills, not multiplexes. Read full review
25
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The kind of comedy that aims at "edginess" and "sassiness" without managing to be edgy or sassy for a second. Read full review
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