Outsourced...charming film set in India. Traditions intrigue...

When I received the invite to the sneak preview for "Outsourced", I was in the dark about the project.

Without any buzz, or advance hype unduly influencing me, I settled in for the long haul as the lights went down.

In the opening scenes it is quickly established that the lead character, played by Josh Hamilton, is a manager in a "fulfillment" office which takes online orders for kitschy knickknacks manufactured in China by an American Novelty Company.

Without warning, "Todd" gets summoned into his boss's office, and is summarily hit with a bombshell.

With a curt reminder that his No. 1 employee loves spicy food, his superior informs him that the company has arranged to "outsource" the unit to India, in a bold-faced effort to save on salaries and production costs.

Todd is adamant that he won't go overseas to set up the office, but before you can say "curry", he's jetting off to meet his quota.

At the airport, he runs into all-manner of upsets.

Then, once on foreign shores, he is thrown headlong into the midst of pushy taxi-drivers jockeying for his fare, primitive modes of transportation he chides as "taxi go-cart thingies", and wild bulls blockading the busy, and the carnival-like streets of the "quaint" Indian city.

He quickly settles in, after some tutoring on foodstuffs (which hand to use for eating and "wiping") and that sort-of-thing.


Because Americans are apparently turned-off by foreign-sounding operators answering customer service in far-off countries, our clever dude proceeds to Americanize his eager crew.

A particularly hilarious scene unfolds when one employee gets up, pauses, then emotes in his best New York-ese, "You talkin' to me?"


Of course - ya got it - the dialogue was lifted from the infamous scene in the psychological thriller - "Taxi Driver" - where Robert DeNiro talks to an imaginary companion.

Another staffer tries his linguistic skills on a piece of movie dialogue.

"Of all the gin joints in the world, she had to walk into mine."

Casablanca, of course!

One pointer "Toad" - as he is erroneously referred to by natives unfamiliar with American names - is particularly useful.

Our conquering hero notes that when they inform a caller they are in "Chicago" (which they're not, of course) that it would be wise to pinch their nose to effect the right nasal sound.

"Outsourced" amusingly takes a jab at Americans and their - at times - cheesy tastes and overt sentimentality.

When the project stalls because of cultural differences, Todd takes the advice of an attractive female in the office.

After establishing a keen willingness to learn about the "Indian" way of life, an accord is struck; consequently, he meets with success in the endeavour.

Unfortunately, Mr. Hamilton lacked the screen presence to carry the film.

In fact, his minimalist approach to acting left a lot to be desired, in my estimation.

At times, he struck me as a stranded traveller in an American Express ad.

In contrast, the female lead - charismatic Ayesha Dharker - was well-cast in her role; in fact, she conveyed the right blend of - mystery, intelligence, and wit - necessary to carry off the complexity of the role with aplomb.

In cameo roles, a number of Indian actors handled their parts well - by virtue of finely-tuned comedic timing - and a precise interplay with the each other.

The underlying message resonated, was timely, and presented in a natural, palpable way.

Essentially - the "little independent" - is a tale about American values, clashing cultures, and the changing norm.

As I left the theatre, the audience bubbled over with superlatives in the foyer.

They liked it! They really liked it!

From the snatches of conversations I overheard, it was evident the filmgoers found "Outsourced" entertaining, a worthwhile see, and deserving of recommendation to friends.

No great earth-shattering entry into the film arena, nonetheless, the romantic little comedy is a charming film that touches the heart.