Spin's rather old-fashioned and vanilla depiction of the Indian American way is a bit of a bummer, feels Sukanya Verma.
Animation or live action, Disney's latest business model is embracing the power of telling stories about young folks hailing from various countries and cultures.
The more represented the audience feels, the better for trade.
But its formula is essentially the same -- a sweet, soft-hearted teenager whose dreams are challenged by her circumstances until a dash of inspiration and dollops of determination catapult her towards a moment of triumph.
Spin, directed by Manjari Makijany (THE late veteran actor Mac Mohan is her father), is a by-the-numbers teen drama centring on Rhea (Avantika).
She's a motherless Indian American girl lending a helping hand to her restaurateur daddy (Abhay Deol) when not impressing her teacher with her coder skills, basking in the support of her nerdy friends (Anna Cathcart, Jahbril Cook, Kerri Medders), saving her eyebrows from getting plucked by her coquettish grand mom (Meera Syal) and disapproving of her little brother's (Aryan Simhadri) adventurous recipes.
Inheriting her mum's ear for music, Rhea's gift gets a boost in cute classmate and aspiring disc jockey Max’s (Michael Bishop) encouragement.
When a Holi-Festival of Colours themed event at school gives them the excuse to bond over beats, she offers inputs while he teaches her the basics of deejaying.
Just when Spin appears to be headed in the direction of teenybopper romance, the makers realise a need for conflict and concocts a couple of contrived scenarios that make Rhea's dad look like her employer and Max, a completely different person.
While it's a relief how undramatic the confrontations and complications in Spin appear, its rather old-fashioned and vanilla depiction of the Indian American way is a bit of a bummer, especially after Devi's sassy, spunky manner in Netflix series Never Have I Ever's refreshing candour towards teen crisis.
As fun it is to watch Meera Syal breaking into a dance against a 1980 Rajesh Roshan number, her character's free-spirited, fun parenting style screams for a little more screen time and sizzle. If only Spin exhibited half her wit and abandon, it wouldn't feel this run-of-the-mill.
Also, for a movie hinging on music, Spin is dreadfully bland.
Throwing in a random sitar riff, some slowly recited Hindi lyrics to the mix is exactly as trite as the name of Rhea's family restaurant -- Spirit of India.
Both rhythm and romance come in short supply.
If any sparks are meant to fly between Rhea's father and teacher, they aren't visible.
Abhay Deol is an amiable actor, but in Spin, the man's woefully stiff and clueless playing the father of two vibrant kids.
None of Rhea's friends register any presence either.
This is a complete Avantika show and the 16-year-old California native, evoking a young Bhagyashree, owns it. Pit that vivacious smile, sparkling confidence and sensible girlhood next to Devi's mischief and we'll have quite a pair.
Spin streams on Disney Hotstar.
- MOVIE REVIEWS
