Watch Meet The Patels

Meet the Patels is a heart-warming documentary film that portrays the real-life journey of Ravi Patel, an Indian-American actor who turns to traditional Indian matchmaking in the hope of finding love. Directed by Ravi and his sister Geeta, the film follows Ravi's journey as he enters the culturally charged world of Indian arranged marriages, while exploring the conflict between the expectations of his family and the desires of his heart.

The movie is built around Ravi's personal video diary as he embarks on a one-year journey to find a suitable bride according to his parent's wishes. As the journey unfolds, Ravi comes to realize that traditional matchmaking is much more complex than he thought. Along with his family, he travels to India, where he meets different women through traditional matchmakers, online dating, and even speed-dating events that are specifically designed for Indians.

One of the most challenging aspects of Ravi's journey is the cultural clash between his American upbringing and his traditional Indian values. His parents, Champa and Vasant Patel, who have been married for over 30 years, strongly believe in the traditional Indian arranged marriage system. Ravi, on the other hand, grew up in the United States and has been exposed to Western romantic notions of love, which often conflict with his parent's views.

Throughout the movie, Ravi struggles to reconcile these opposing values while trying to find a suitable partner. He is often torn between his love for his family and his desire for independence. At the same time, his parents' own relationship comes under scrutiny, as the couple begins to reveal their own doubts about their marriage.

Meet the Patels is an incredibly honest and raw portrayal of the Indian-American experience, and the cultural complexities that come with it. Ravi and Geeta's unique storytelling format, which uses Ravi's video diary footage, interwoven with interviews and animation, makes the movie both engaging and informative.

One of the standout moments in the film is Ravi's trip to India, where he meets a variety of potential partners, all of whom come with their own set of challenges. The cultural differences between Indian-Americans and those raised in India become more apparent as Ravi meets women who have a much more traditional outlook on marriage, and is forced to face the realities of the Indian dowry system, which is still prevalent in some parts of the country.

Another compelling aspect of the film is the relationship between Ravi and his sister, Geeta. The two siblings share a playful banter that adds another layer of humor to the documentary. Geeta's involvement in the filmmaking process also provides an insider's perspective on the intricacies of Indian-American relationships, and how cultural differences often play a role in the conflict.

Overall, Meet the Patels is a delightful and enlightening film that is sure to resonate with anyone who has struggled to find love while navigating cultural expectations. With its witty humor and relatable themes, the film offers a fresh take on the traditional matchmaking system, and the role that tradition and cultural customs play in shaping modern relationships. Whether you're Indian-American or not, the movie is a must-watch for anyone who has faced challenges while trying to reconcile their cultural background with their modern day values.

Meet The Patels is a 2015 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 70.