Shades of Ray Reviews

• *Rounds Of Applause*

  
  By AKPTGHVZTR6II on 2009-04-02
  I have always been a fan of the "independent film" and Shades of Ray does NOT disappoint.
  
  The balance of dramatic and comedic elements was wonderful and the chemistry between the characters was fantastic. I found myself so pulled into the film that I wanted more when it was over.
  
  I highly recommend this for anyone!
  
  

• Shades Of Ray

  
  By AS0JTOP0TH8TY on 2009-04-10
  Shades of Ray
  An interesting and entertaining movie about a young man, Ray, trying to find peace, acceptance and love with a family divided by two hugely different cultures. The cast is superb , led by the amazing Zachary Levi (of tv's Chuck) getting to show the dramatic side most people aren't aware of. And Kathy Baker, as always , is a major plus in any project. It should be of interest to anyone with a multi-racial family, or anyone who likes a good love story.
  
  

• Funny, sensitive and thought provoking

  
  By A4L8356AJN4N9 on 2009-04-08
  I rented this movie on a whim and wow, what a pleasant surprise. It's an intelligent romantic comedy, with the advantage of having more than one romantic story line. Along the way, it puts a humorous spotlight on the stereotyping of Muslims and Pakistani's in particular. Remember Babu from Seinfeld? Well, he is back with a role that reaches for all of his talent and in my opinion, he delivers.
  Like almost any indie movie, this one has some unpolished moments. In one scene, the character Sana rushes through some dialogue, undoing what might have been a very touching scene. Minor flaws aside, the story and most of the performances are very engaging. I found myself thinking about it and then, watching it again.
  
  

• confused *spoilers*

  
  By A2ROEUL6JMUL39 on 2009-07-05
  I thought the whole point of the movie was to not be constricted by ethnicity, and to choose who you love based on the individual. i dont think the movie convincingly portrayed that he wasnt in love with the white woman he originally asked to marry. The proposal was very cute in the beginning, and other than a weirdness with her family, how did he all of a sudden fall out of love with a woman hed been dating for 2 yrs and asked to marry? all for someone he just met that has the exact same ethnicity as him. its like the whole movie someone is shouting in the background, yay for loving whomever, no matter what race or religion, but then towards the end he chooses his own race cuz he can relate to her better. Plus a large part of the movie deals with all the problems his parents have due to their different races, and even his best friend ends up with a white chick. to me, the message of the movie is ultimately anti-interracial relationships. confusing. being a halfie myself, i guess im disappointed with the obscurity of the movies final message.
  
  the only other thing i have to say is that i think the actor is actually white, right? Ive never seen Chuck, but I'm pretty sure hes white. well, hes pretty hot as a mutt. tall dark and handsome :p
  
  
  

• I really liked this show!!

  
  By A2HSAJYP2Z9OB3 on 2009-04-06
  I really liked this show and recommend it to all, except the Father has a potty mouth, I didn't think he needed to swear so much, other than that it was wonderful!!!
  
  
• Very enjoyable film
  By A13KAVWT69ZCMF on 2009-03-23
  This film is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that also touches on problems brought on by cultural differences within a family and in the dating world. It was extremely well-cast, with both lead and supporting characters played beautifully. You will see lots of faces you know from your favorite TV shows. This is a "chick flick" that men can enjoy as well. I definitely recommend it.
  
  
• Funny and meaningful all at once...
  By A88NAJQ7L1YLR on 2009-03-20
  I first saw this film at the Austin Film Festival last year, and I really enjoyed it. Zach Levi gives an outstanding performance, and is able to bring such humor and heart to the piece. Brian George also stood out. I had been a fan of his character when he was on Seinfeld, but had no idea how talented he was. He could have easily gone overboard with his characterization of Javaid, the father, but instead makes the character so engaging and believable. He was definitely one of the highlights for me. Great cast all around, really. Also, the film could have easily been just another romantic comedy, but it really stands out as being a unique journey into the title character's world and struggle as he tries to find his place amidst his two cultures and discover who he really is and what he really wants.
  
  I definitely recommend this film to anyone who likes to laugh, but also to anyone who wants a film with heart and weight to it.
  
  
• Decent writing and natural acting, very good indeed
  By A3TERK2Q0VNBPR on 2009-09-05
  I wasn't expecting to like this one but was bored one afternoon saw it was free and what the he##. As Gomer would say "SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE" this is really well done. Especially like the treatment of the 1st generation American characters, love the acting auditions, honest dialog and white comic relief. This is a better film than most of the big releases lately.
  
  
• Great message, typical Hollywood, but good
  By A367O6AEE727AU on 2009-09-05
  I like the fact that, given the chance to make his own choice, he chose someone similar to himself. Diversity doesn't mean you have to choose the opposite of yourself...just be true to yourself and don't make choices based on your family or friends needs/dreams/regrets or societies stereo-types for that matter. In Hollywood fashion, everyone was beautiful, so his choice was between a beautiful, white and successful woman over a beautiful, brown and socially conscious woman. Poor guy! LOL Either way, good message.
  
  
• a pleasant surprise
  By A2JSU9ATILFPXZ on 2009-08-25
  Clicked on this not really expecting to enjoy it or even watch the whole thing but it suckered me in. Love the plot. Interesting the way such a fragile topic as inter-ethnic coupling is gently and genuinely portrayed. All in all, a good movie!
  
  
• Charming Romantic Comedy
  By A1MIKKGJGGQ6NX on 2009-07-19
  This is the story of a young man's conflicts with his father's desire for him to honor his Pakistani heritage and his own desires, both in terms of his career and romance. Although a lot of this tale deals with Ray's bi-racial background, it really is a story of dealing with one's parent's expectations.
  
  We found this film to be both funny and sweet. Zachary Levi (currently starring in NBC's "Chuck"), Sarah Shahi and Brian George all manage to both make us laugh and touch our hearts.
  
  
• Excellent Film! Very funny
  By A1ULTHAMR4TYA6 on 2009-05-30
  The story was the stock romance that one would see in any other rom-com movie, but the dialogue between the characters and the humorous glimpse into Pakistani culture was both funny and interesting, and allowed this movie to stand out from others of its genre. Zachary Levi once again proved why he's one of my favorite actors. I'd recommend this to anyone.
  
  
• SINCE CHILDHOOD
  By A2E0N09HD8AME6 on 2009-05-22
  I'VE KNOWN THE AUTHOR SINCE CHILDHOOD,HIS FATHER IS MY DOCTOR AND FRIEND, SO MY WIFE AND I WERE INVITED TO THE OPENING IN OUR TOWN, HELD AT A LOCAL SCHOOL AUDITORIUM. AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE WE WENT OUT OF FRIENDSHIP. BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THIS IS A TRULY A WONDERFULLY FUNNY, ENGAGING AND DELIGHTFUL MOVIE. THE LAUGHS ARE IMMEDIATE, THE ACTING EXCELLENT THE STORY LINE ENGAGING. WHEN THE MOVIE ENDED THE AUDIENCE WAS ON ITS FEET CHEERING AND I BELIEVE YOU WILL ALSO. I HAVE VERY FEW MOVIES IN MY LIBRARY BUT THIS IS A MUST.
  
  
• Loved It!
  By A383TJWH3EQTVM on 2009-05-19
  I absoloutely enjoyed watching this movie. I have heard so many stories about it and was excited to finally experience it. From the beginning it brought a smile to my face and tons of laughter, which is key. I would recommend to anyone!
  
  
• wonderfully done!
  By A2W239A8CG0DY9 on 2009-04-06
  I was very happy with this movie. I think this movie is underrated. It was pretty fantastic actually. I rented it but now I want to buy it. Great acting and love the music and message!
  
  
• Shades of Ray -- Awesome!
  By A1DHPHHNCP6WNB on 2009-04-06
  Shades of Ray is one of those few movies that I really enjoyed watching a second time with my daughter after seeing it by myself on a whim since it was a $0.99 unbox download on Amazon. It is a great balance of comedy and drama. It stars two of my favorite TV show actors, Zach Levi -- the hilarious star of TV's "Chuck" and Sarah Shahi, the beautiful exotic detective on the fantastic TV show "Life". The chemistry of all the actors just worked. Its one of those movies that you wish was a little longer and could just keep going to explore the relationships a little further. Further, it employs some great messages about prejudice and the difficulties associated with marrying outside of ones culture. Shades of Ray is truly a memorable film that will go down on my top ten list for 2009.
  
  
• Shades of Ray
  By A25DB2R47JVQ6Z on 2009-03-24
  Shades of Ray is an extremely timely independent movie. With continuing but decreasing ethnic intolerance in this country, this movie is a real ice breaker. It should be required viewing by all middle schhol through high school level students. It is a light-hearted fun movie which carries a message.
  
  
• Shades of Ray shines
  By A3T6JY3U2B8YF7 on 2009-03-22
  This film was screened at the Lone Star Film Festival on Saturday and I found it to be a delightful comedy about family and culture with the engaging Zachary Levi, as Ray, at the center. The film is filled with familiar faces from television, the writing is excellent and it is also very, very funny.
  
  
• the cowboy and indian critics
  By A188GDG9SLVIH1 on 2009-03-26
  Howdy partner and namaste. As a married couple, one a kentucky born football playing hick, the other a jersey born over achieving desi, we found the subject provoking, the humor refreshing, and the details rich like rava dosa and moonshine. Highly recommended!
  
  
• Amazing movie!
  By A1ZGKS3J4KZYG0 on 2009-05-16
  This movie is everything you might want in a love story. It's deep, it's funny, it's critical, and it's edgy. I strongly recommend it.
  
  I randomly rented it after becoming bored with other more main stream box office candy. I'm so happy I did!
  
  
• Great Film about Mixed People's Issues
  By A1LNH5Z5IRSGM6 on 2010-03-19
  As a mixed-race person, I really enjoyed the film. Ray is half-white and half-Pakistani. Ray only identifies with his white side and is not interested in dating Pakistani women.
  
  Ray has proposed to a long-time white girlfriend Noel who is in essence a younger version of his white mother. Ray is waiting for her answer.
  
  Ray's Pakistani father wants him to marry a Pakistani woman and sets Ray up for a date. Ray balks at the idea and later agrees to a dinner meeting with the woman. To his surprise, Sana is half Pakistani and white like himself. Neither has ever met anyone that shares his or her unique ethnic composition.
  
  They rapidly become friends. Ray becomes torn between his white girlfriend Noel and Sana. The film poses the question on whether ethnicity for mixed-race people should play a role in choosing a partner. In the end, it provides an interesting answer.
  
  This movie is a definite "must see" for mixed race people and anyone who is seeking to understand the unique issues that mixed race people face.
  
  
• A SWEET MOVIE
  By A3KI32W9VUUPIC on 2009-11-27
  Being a CHUCK fan I decided to give this movie a go knowing it would be a little different from my favourite comedy show. (Luckily in Australia CHUCK is still playing)
  
  I found Shades of Ray it to be a very enjoyable movie. The movie was not very long and whilst it was predictable at times it was still a good movie and it was great to see Zachary Levi in a different role.
  
  Certainly worth watching.
  
  
• I really wanted to like this movie...
  By A2DCGX74HRUUW4 on 2009-09-02
  First off, I'm really into films that play with concepts of culture and family and "finding yourself." So that was my major reason for watching this one. But in the end I was kind of disappointed. It seems the only place in the film that one can find South Asian "culture" are the scenes where Ray and Sara's fathers are talking, and then in a short scene where the family are eating curry-laden food. To me it was a film about some characters that were of South Asian decent that had lost their heritage long ago, but were still holding on to a few stereotypical vestiges of their culture and calling that "Pakistani." Ray's friend tries to point out this fact early in the film (in the scene where they talk about how Ray won't eat Chorizo), but methinks the average viewer will miss that.
  
  SPOILER: Sarah Shahi's character came across more like a "loose-floozy," which I don't think is how the writer/director meant to portray her. Zachary Levi did a great job, though, and I felt some compassion for his character, until the end. At the end of the film it felt like Ray broke his engagement to a woman who was really good for him so he could pursue a "loose" woman who happens to share his country of descent, and the viewer is supposed to somehow feel like this was a victory. I'm still trying to figure out what the ultimate message of the film is.
  
  Perhaps 20-somethings of South Asian decent will hail this film as the greatest thing since cubed-curry, while the rest of us will be able to plainly see why no big house wanted to distribute the film. If you want a fun romantic comedy that really explores South Asian culture and features honest, relatable characters, go see Monsoon Wedding. If you want real South Asian culture shock, go see Pather Panchali.
  
  
• Good balance of comedy and poignant moments
  By A3UVGHUDOY77YR on 2009-08-28
  I watched this because it starred Zach Levi, whose "Chuck" is the only show I watch regularly on TV. The movie was utterly delightful in some ways. Levi's Pakistani father in the film is superb and hilarious, and I love the opening scene the best, where he is talking to his son about women. Levi, as always, is excellent and capable of making even a less than stellar script fly. He looks remarkably Middle Eastern in the role and is likely one of those actors who can move chameleon-like from one role to another and seem to fit them all perfectly. His work in this movie is engaging, and I found myself rooting for him all the way through, caught between competing desires and an overbearing, if comical, father. His roommate is quirky and hilarious as well and adds a needed touch of levity to what is in places a somewhat heavy script, although overall it achieves a pretty good balance of comedy and poignancy. His girlfriend Noelle is really not in many scenes and didn't have enough of a part to demonstrate her talent, but the actress that plays Sana is outstanding, giving an endearing and nuanced performance.
  
  I would have liked the plot to be a little less messy, though. Levi's ambivalence is understandable and well-explained in the movie, but I really didn't want to suffer through it all with him and endure the angst and what at one point seemed to be endless disappointments. Levi just didn't look like he was having that much fun in the movie, and one of his most attractive qualities is the ability to really enjoy himself on camera. At the end, there is still a slight feeling of unfinished business although it is clear how things are turning out, and I had the feeling that the director wanted to leave an opening for a sequel.
  
  In all, the acting was magnificent in this film, and the quirky humor was refreshing. I didn't feel that Levi had a chance to show his real talent, which is prodigious, but I enjoyed the free viewing on Amazon and felt the movie earned a solid 4 stars.
  
  
• One of the best feel-good movies of all time
  By A2ZGG9IHML9PKR on 2009-07-01
  I must say this movie was excellent. Great writing, directing and acting by all. I usually get bored watching movies of this genre and often start looking at the time but not with this one. The movie was over before I knew it. There were a couple of scenes, like the audition ones, that made me laugh out so loud that I had tears in my eyes. At the same time it was tackling some serious issues. I will be the first one in line to get a DVD of this one.
  
  
• Great Movie
  By A1FKXBO26HUDHM on 2009-04-19
  I am a huge Zachary Levi fan and this movie certainly did not disappoint. I really didn't know what to expect with this movie, but the ever "hopeful romantic" in me loved it. I thought the characters/actors were fantastic. The movie flowed along nicely without any dragged out scenes. I rented it and now have put an order in to purchase it. If you like a heart-felt, romance/comedy, you should love this movie. I did;
  
  
• Wonderful actors and storyline!
  By A2Z7S0L3LUOK5M on 2009-04-19
  This movie is definitely underrated! I loved the storyline and the ending. I kept thinking is Zachary Levi wearing spray on tan? He is one hot looking piece of man meat and Sarah Shahi is wonderful as well. I was thinking that gee, much as both rebelled against what their Indian-Asian fathers wanted for them, they went along with them to make them happy.
  
  
• Good cast, but disappointing ending
  By A1LHPNNG8JQPKB on 2009-04-12
  I really enjoyed the storyline, although I felt it dragged in some places.
  
  The best part was the light-heartedness, the humor. And Zachary Levi is just an amusing actor (love him in 'Chuck'). To me, as an American-born Indian who married a Caucasian, I felt empty at the end, disappointed. This film addressed the interracial aspect at a superficial level, and felt contradictory at the end. I don't want to say anything for fear of spoiling the ending, so don't read anymore if you don't want to know.
  
  Ray ended up leaving the woman he wanted to marry, he was deeply in love with for a woman who he could identify as having pretty much the same racial background, he hardly knew, and had very little in common, it appears. Perhaps if there was more character development, so I felt it was justified that he left his fiance. The movie makes a lot of talk about how love is above everything in a relationship, but in the end, it seems like infatuation with something new and he thought never existed that got him. As I said, better character development might have changed my mind about this.
  
  
  
  
• DUUUUUUDE!!!
  By A3G7GTCLHE0DXO on 2009-08-27
  im not one for romantic movies, but the title and the actor from "chuck" drew me in,... also to mention amazon had a free rental on it.haha... anyways, this movie was great in just about all aspects; funny, serious, love stories, and culture. i give the actors a "9outof10" which was smashing for this film. it had some cheesyness which i LOVE TO DEATH! but because of such a great cast that one percent of cheese was unnoticeable, and it made this indiefilm to die for. its a must watch, u cant go on living unless u watch this movie...haha
  
  
• It's alright
  By A3FZWOR9YR36WA on 2009-06-13
  This pic is really not that good. I can't believe people are giving it 4 and 5 stars. It's "good for a low budget indie" but not that good. Kathy Baker gives the best performance but the whole production feels totally staged. There are a lot of well known actors working here but they deliver performances that are either flat or totally over the top. The roommate "Sal" is just annoying, not funny. Sarah Shahi is beautiful as always and delivers a decent natural performance. If you have some time and 1.99 it's worth a rental.
  
  

• Conversation(s) With Other Women
• Management
• Spiral
• The Brothers Bloom
• Sunshine Cleaning