Customer Reviews

The Guru

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I admit, I get hooked easily. This time, it was the opening scene, a dance class full of women in beautiful saris. The dance was the Macarena, and I almost fell off my chair laughing.

After that, the movie gets off to a slow start, with Our Hero (Ram) moving to America, the land of opportunity. The opportunities aren't quite the ones he expected, or even really wanted. The first was thrust upon him when a faker of a fakir falls down drunk just before a performance. The second happens when he fails to get up for another kind of performance.

Heather Graham does a great job as a warm-hearted woman of debatable morals. Marisa Tomei also does a great job as a warm-hearted woman of debatable judgement. No spoilers, but everyone ends up happy.

It's sweet, silly amusement. It takes a while to get going, but it's worth the wait.

Seems Bollywood is making its way to Hollywood, and I'm loving every minute of it. From the marvelous crowd-pleaser MONSOON WEDDING to the cheerfully cute LAGAAN, to the upcoming international hit BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, Indian films are making their way to America, and it's about time (and no, I'm not Indian). In the midst of it all came THE GURU, a wonderful romantic comedy that incorporates sex with Bollywood musicals. Why Universal decided to limit THE GURU's wide release just days before its theatrical premiere is beyond me. Maybe moving the release date to a less competitive weekend would have been a better answer (The Recruit, Biker Boys, and Final Destination 2 all started on Jan. 31st, 2003). THE GURU is a sweet, good-natured comedy with great performances by the entire cast, some hilarious comedic moments, and cute send-up's of BOLLYWOOD. The plot is outrageous, the situations are implausible, but the movie is plain FUN. It's a superb indie-like studio picture that benefits from bright dialogue and the impressive cast. The one thing I would have liked is to have seen more musical moments amidst the craziness...there was definitely potential for them. All in all, THE GURU is a great romantic comedy. Much lighter in tone than MONSOON WEDDING and much more fun (and shorter) than LAGAAN. Although dealing with porno and sex, it is all done tastefully and not as explicitly as it could have been. A wonderful trip to the movies it was!...

I saw the movie the Guru twice while it was at the Film Festival here in Palm Springs, and I absolutely love the movie. It's a great uplifting film. It is hilariously funny throughout the movie. It's a very happy film with a message about finding ones path in life. The theatre gave it a standing ovation, everyone I went with loved the movie as well. I recommend it to all because I plan on buying this as soon as it comes out on DVD myself. And the music rocks!!!

What a surprise.

From the first to the last minute I was in stitches. The storyline was fresh and original and Marissa Tomei is superb.
It is a seemingly accurate but humorous portrayal of how superficial Americans can be in assuming anyone of Indian or Asian Nationality must either work in a Indian Restaurant or is some religious Guru as is the case in this movie.
I would really put this up as one of the best comedies that have been released in the past couple of years.

Get it when it is released.

In this cute adult comedy, Ramu (Jimi Mistry) leaves India to seek fame and fortune in New York City, only to find the streets aren't really paved with gold. He is innocently hired to be in an adult film and his costar is the lovely Sharonna (Heather Graham), a pro who's got a heart of gold. He accidentally gains a reputation as a love guru, with the help of an air-headed socialite (Marisa Tomei), but finds true love with Sharonna.

The plot may sound silly, but thanks to the considerable charm of Jimi Mistry and the clever script, it's really quite good. Mistry plays the wide-eyed innocent perfectly, and is handsome and charismatic enough to carry off the role of media darling. Graham has her best role to date as the endearing adult film star/girl-next-door. Tomei gives a good performance as the silly rich girl without becoming tiresome. Michael McKean almost steals the show (as usual) as the sleazy movie director. The fish-out-of-water, East meets West story has a lot of laughs and some touching moments as well.

Kona

It's funny how you can come upon movies. While on a plane
earlier in the week I saw (in parts) a movie I'd never watch
on my own, "Anger Mangement," which wasn't so bad. An actress
I'd never seen before, Heather Graham, had a small, uncredited
role. I tracked down "The Guru" from the Internet, and was
pleased that Marisa Tomei, who had a large role in the other
movie, was also in "The Guru." There is a bit of role reversal
here, for she has a much smaller role than Ms. Graham. I was
also attracted to "The Guru" because I've been into Eastern
teachings for a long time, but I am also quite aware of how
much fakery there is in the "guru" business.

"The Guru" is in part a spoof on gurus and how rich people
who have nothing to do but meditate (on their navels!) will
believe just about anything. Imagine a Indian guru of sex, who
gets his information/inspiration from a porn star, yet thousands
of followers think he's wonderful!

"The Guru" simply works. The lead actor, Jimi Mistry,
gives a great, believable, heart-felt performance. Ms. Graham
is also excellent - the role of a beautiful, deeply philosophical
porn star who is about to settle down with an unknowing fireman
into a mainstream life suits her to a tea. She also shows some
fine range in her role. The chemistry between the Indian
immigrant and the beautiful porn queen as teacher works
surprisingly well. Most of the secondary actors are very

effective, especially the actor who plays Mistry's sidekick
(later manager). The movie is about truth, being true to oneself,
and true love. The dancing and music are entertaining, uplifting,
therapeutic. "The Guru" is a fine movie also because it doesn't
take itself too seriously, so we can easily forgive the "imperfections."

I am very quick to criticize the garbage that the movie
industry puts out, but more than willing to praise and recommend
a very unpretentious, entertaining, fast-paced romp, and I
would recommend "The Guru" to almost anyone. It is a movie that
would appeal to almost all ages and all tastes. I wouldn't be
surprised if it does very well in its post-theatrical "incarnation"
through word-of-mouth recommendations.

This is a delightful romantic comedy, Bollywood style, with an excellent cast. Indian dance instructor, Ramu Gupta (Jimi Mistry), wants to seek fame and fortune. So, what better place is there to do that in than the United States? He leaves India and joins some of his friends who are already in New York and making it big, or so he thinks. He is quickly divested of that idea once he arrives and finds them working in restaurants and driving taxis. He temporarily takes a job as a waiter in an Indian restaurant, while seeking his fame and fortune.

Ramu then seeks work in a film, initially not realizing the type of film that it is. When he gets the part, he meets his co-star, Sharonna (Heather Graham), who is a lovely young woman, but finds himself unable to go through with the role, despite Sharonna's philosophical guidance, as it is nothing more than a porn film. When he goes to a high society party where his friends are working, he finds himself with an unexpected opportunity, when the hired Swami falls down into a drunken stupor just before he is to begin entertaining the guests. He is then thrust into the role of Swami. Passing off some of Sharonna's philosophical encouragement as pearls of wisdom, Ramu suddenly finds himself thrust into the role of the Guru of sex. It is at that party that he begins a relationship with the daughter of the house, Lexi (Marisa Tomei), a seriously silly, fabulously wealthy young woman who lacks direction in her life, but believe that she has found something special with Ramu.

With her connections, she puts Ramu on the fast track to fame and fortune. Still, his initial sexual philosophy came from Sharonna, so he arranges to meet with her for some more philosophical guidance, under the theory that he needs her help in order for him to be able to get over his fear of breaking into the porn business. Using her pearls of wisdom, Ramu develops a following, and Ramu, as well as his friends, find themselves traveling on a first class gravy train. In the meantime, Ramu also finds himself falling in love with Sharonna.

Sharonna, meanwhile, is leading a double life, as her firefighter fiance thinks that she is a substitute teacher. He and his family have no idea that she is a porn star, and she prefers to keep it that way. Her fiancé is a serious Irish Catholic, who does not even believe in consummating their relationship before marriage. This should have told Sharonna something right off the bat. While helping Ramu, not knowing that her pearls of wisdom are being used by him in the context of his being the Guru of sex, she, too, begins falling in love with him, only she doesn't know it, as yet.

With its Bollywood style musical numbers, this is a fun, lighthearted film that boasts an excellent cast. Heather Graham is simply wonderful in the role of Sharonna, the porn star with the heart of gold who is doing it simply for the money. Jimi Mistry is delightful as the Guru of sex, funny and sexy. Marissa Tomei is terrific as the madcap heiress, who has too much money and too much time on her hands. Christina Baranski is excellent as Chantal, Lexi's wacky upper crust mother. The film holds some surprises, but never fails to amuse. Those who like Bollywood style films, will definitely enjoy this one.

Like the first Austin Powers film, which didn't do that well in its original release, this movie should grow and grow in popularity as people learn about it through word of mouth. I have to admit it didn't sound all that great based on the description. BUT... From almost start to finish it's touching, funny and has great performances from Heather Graham, Marisa Tomei and the lead actor. It's about redemption, love and well, sex. So unless you are someone who is deeply hung up about the idea of a young Indian man coming to America in hopes of becoming a star. He eventually does so, but not inthe way he expected. Through a comedy of errors, he becomes the nation's greatest self-help and sex guru. Along the way he falls in love with Heather Graham, who is herself leading a double life - trying to pull herself out of a job as the funniest porn actress ever and marry her religious fireman boyfriend. If you remotely like comedies, you'll probably love this film. I haven't laughed so hard outside of a Mike Myers comedy. Christine Baranski as an Upper East Side of NYC socialite is especially good as Tomei's mother.

THE GURU is a fun comedy that one can easily lose themself. Ramu Gupta (Jimi Mistry) comes to New York City from India to achieve the American Dream. But he is soon disheartened to realize that the only opportunities open for him include the stereotypical occupations of taxi cab driver or Indian restaurant waiter. During his quest to become a star Ramu meets Sharonna (Heather Graham) after mistakingly auditioning for a role in an adult movie and in addition meets Lexi (Marissa Tomei) while working during her birthday party. What follows is a comedic journey of love, sex and lots of laughs.

Director Daisy von Scherler succeeds in creating a funny movie, especially during instances when Ramu gets his English confused. Jimi Mistry played a convincing role. I hope to see more of him in upcoming movies. Heather Graham and Marissa Tomei are also good. Sure, there's not much depth in THE GURU but that's okay with me. It's fun to watch a goofy comedy once in a while.

Throw away your preconceptions going into this film. This cute, funny story takes you through innumerable situations and plot twists as it parodies the superficiality of modern pop culture in America and India. And it will bring tears of joy and laughter as you follow Ramy on his adventures toward fulfilling his boyhood dreams of dancing and singing in American movies. Each time you think the story will take you into familiar comedic ground, you will be delighted with an ironic twist in those expectations. But do keep intact your expectations of what makes great comedy: a brilliant story, intelligent writing, and a fast pace. Also keep open your eyes and ears for a cornucopia of wonderful sights and enchanting dialogue throughout this tale of boy meets girl. Each scene is as vivid in this respect as are the feast of vibrant colors painting the film (kudos to the cinematography). Not since "Hear My Song" or perhaps "Waking Ned Devine" has a comedy been this entirely original and engaging. This film does not break the mold; it casts a new one. Best of all it does not pander to the audience with crude jokes and crass situations. You feel as if you are approaching the world with the same wide-eyed innocence as does Rammy. Everything is perfect about this film, from the casting, to the plot, and to the comedic timing. Enjoy and laugh, or even dance and sing, it is impossible to resist!