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 A lot to like, hoooowever.... Dec 20, 2009
... This is the first movie within my recent Bollywood binge that was a real disappointment. And I wanted to like it as I've loved other films that I've seen with Akshay Kumar, Rishi Kapoor, and (especially) Katrina Kaif. But there's a real problem with Namastey London. Namely its pervasive sexism. It can be seen in the contrasting stories of Jazz (Katrina Kaif) and her best friend, Immy Khan (Upen Patel). Immy's disowned (more or less) by his father for advising Jazz on escaping a marriage that she's outright being forced into, because, apparently, the only thing wrong in the situation was his advice, and not the boorish behaviour of Rishi Kapoor's father character (or even Akshay Kumar's prospective husband for taking advantage of the situation). The elder Mr. Khan even hits his son in the confrontation, outraged over the tragedy that's befallen Arjun (Akshay Kumar). He can't seem to spare a thought for Jazz's tragedy (stranded in a corner of the world where she has no protection and forced into an unwanted marriage), just the husband that exploited the situation. The filmmakers invite the viewer to sympathise with Arjun's plight (which is the mirror image of Jazz's), but not Jazz's. In fact, in the ultimate irony they invite us to be angry with Jazz for her clever escape.
The plot's simple enough, Jazz was born in the UK and her mother has raised her to be as British as she can be. As a result she enjoys her life as a typical twentysomething Londoner. Drinking, partying, carousing, dating Englishmen. We see her doing her level headed best to drive away all the prospective Indian husbands that her parents arrange for to meet. She's dating her wealthy boss and has plans to marry him, a thought that the filmmakers find unacceptable (given the heavy handed commentary inserted into the mouth of Rishi Kapoor's father). The father decides that what Jazz really needs is a good Indian husband, and talks her into accompanying he and his wife on a vacation trip to India. Once they arrive in Punjab, ostensibly to visit relatives, he springs upon her an arranged marriage with a Punjabi farmer (Akshay Kumar). She initially wants to flee the situation, but her best friend instead lays out an escape route for her, namely go through with the ceremony, but insist that the reception be held back home in London, and make certain that the marriage is unconsummated. Once back on English soil, no British court will recognise the marriage. This break (with the usually overly melodramatic music) starts the quest of Akshay Kumar's character to win Jazz's heart in earnest.
So, back to the sexism, Immy is uninterested in Indian women, living instead with an English woman that his father despises. Her parents expect him to assimilate to their way of life, but ultimately Akshay Kumar's character sets him straight. If she's marrying into his family, then she needs to learn to compromise. Immy has his own life, faith, and culture, and the family will need to learn to embrace both traditions. Good advice, marriage is all about making compromises. But it's a one way street in the movie. Because ultimately Akshay Kumar has no interest in making any compromises with British born & raised Jazz. The movie ends with Immy's father embracing his son & daughter-in-law after she agrees to submit to his conditions, and Jazz returning to India to be a Punjabi housewife, which leaves the viewer with the impression that the filmmakers believe that marriage is really about women learning to compromise with and accommodate their men. Or maybe that what every woman needs is a good Indian husband to teach them their place (as marrying a white woman is acceptable for Immy but marrying a white man is unthinkable for Jazz). The entire third act of the movie was a complete betrayal of the character of Jazz as we've come to know her and like her. A strong willed professional woman throws it all away to run off to India to be an obedient wife. I would have had more respect for the film if it ended with Arjun removing to London to make a new life with his wife. But, alas, Indian men don't need to compromise with their wives, apparently.
So while there's a lot to like about this movie, the pervasive sexism is really offputting. Rishi Kapoor's father is outright obnoxious & overbearing throughout most of the movie (which, admittedly, is a stock character for him, but at least in other movies the filmmakers recognise it as a character flaw), and yet the filmmakers see nothing wrong with him as one of the "good guys". Indeed, outside Upen Patel's best friend, the male characters in this movie are a pretty shabby lot. Javed Sheikh (as the elder Mr. Khan) spends the movie stomping about yelling at, and occasionally physically abusing his son. Clive Standen's English fiance is a rich boor (and one wonders what the engaging Jazz sees in him at all). Maybe they should have entitled the film "Men Behaving Badly and the Women that Obey them". What shocked me about this movie was its stone age ideas on male/female relations, and I haven't seen these sorts of reactionary views on women in other Bollywood films that I've watched recently, such as Jab we Met or Hum Tum. However, I will say that I would watch Katrina Kaif fold laundry for two hours, so an actual movie where she spends most of it being charming is a bonus.
 Beautiful Film Oct 18, 2009
This was a wonderful film all around. Excellent acting and great story. Another fantastic BWood Romance. Certainly a must see.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Quite enjoyable 4 star movie Dec 24, 2008
This is a 'will she marry the guy the parents want and return to India or follow her heart' movie.
Akshay does a good job with the gentle romantic part. Katrina Kaif is very good as the sassy Indian cum London girl.
It also has some good songs -some worth downloading.
Even though it is set both in the UK and India it retains its full Bollywood flavour (unlike some of the less satisfactory attempts to blend the cultures). Enjoyable Bollywood fare.
Fantastic Oct 03, 2008
Fantastic describes both the CD and the transaction with the seller. The transaction was quick and smooth. The shipping was fast. Thank you so much.
Namastey London DVD May 14, 2008
slow in some parts...was under the impression it was more about the son then the fathers struggle between tridition and wester society
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