Bicycle Bride

Bicycle Bride is a surprising combination of meaningful themes and funny, campy moments. There are hilarious details reminiscent of Almodovar films, especially the wig-wearing older female and prankster friend of the lead. "James Dean" is a surprising name for someone from Sweden, but the lead character's sincerity and serious charm are a nice contrast to the other characters. I particularly liked the writing and portrayal of the lead female's mother. Bicycle Bride is both funny and uplifting. Director Zee has a lot of promise, reminding me again of Almodovar at this point in his career. It will be interesting to see what's coming next from Zee.

I thought the film was very well written. I remember laughing throughout the movie. If I had to critique it, I would say the story could have moved a little faster. I felt that it was crawling along at times. Perhaps speeding the end up would move the story along and keep the entertainment value high throughout the entire film.

Overall though, I think Bicycle Bride is a fun and delightful movie. I would recommend it to anyone wants to learn a bit about Indian culture, but still wants to find a few laughs along the way. This movie definitely succeeds in intertwining relevant issues with comedic anecdotes and romantic undertones.

A perky Rom-Com in the best traditions of that genre, Bicycle Bride is a movie you can't afford to miss. The characters are funny, endearing, and totally zany; one can't help but feel drawn to them. The movie breezily mixes social message with humorous, irreverent titillation, leaving the viewer concurrently blithe and thoughtful. The performers do a fantastic job, emoting very convincingly. The pace is mellow without feeling drawn out or dragging, and the script is refreshingly witty. The one potential drawback is the cinematography, but even this adds a rustic charm and in some ways enhances the film's appeal. I highly recommend this as a Friday night romp-it's sure to set a very cheerful tone for your weekend.

"She who succeeds in gaining the mastery of the bicycle will gain the mastery of life." So said Susan B. Anthony, one of America's best-known feminists of the 19th century. Twenty-year-old Beena is a product of America and not just any America but the one in San Francisco, California, a traditional spot for self-reinvention. Beena is now twenty and her Indian immigrant mother Billo has decided that she's ripe to be a bride, as Shakespeare might put it. Like many a first-generation American, Beena has other ideas, one of which is to master the unstable and highly metaphoric contraption known as a bicycle while another is to attend college and yet another is to become better acquainted with James Dean, a dishy student from Sweden who probably endures the inevitable jokes about his name with Nordic stoicism. It's a traditional immigrant's tale with a comic and lighthearted touch, not to mention some exceptional costumes and a wedding dance scene both joyful and mildly erotic, a celebration of human life and its presumed continuance.

Bicycle Bride is a smart, witty and educational film that sheds a much-needed positive light on Muslim culture in the United States. It features a pretty girl, a handsome boy and an overbearing mother that would give Darth Vader a run for his money! Americans have the benefit of freedom when picking a husband or wife. Some do it online while others do it the old fashioned way. For Muslims, dating is about as acceptable as drinking alcohol or noshing on a little pork. They just don't do it. Parents pick their children's spouses, like American girls buy clothes. Shocking I know, but that's the reality. Bicycle Bride is a clash of cultures, east vs. west, tradition vs. modernity and liberty vs. servitude. This film covers a lot of ground in both an entertaining and touching way. Most importantly, Bicycle Bride gives us a refreshing window into one of the world's most important religions.