When Harry Tries to Marry Review
By David Kempler
Love Indian-American Style
Harry Shankar (Rahul Rai) is 22, single, handsome, originally from India, and living in New York City. He's got it all figured out, especially when it comes to the ladies. As soon as "When Harry tries to Marry" begins, we witness Harry having a chance run-in with Theresa (Stefanie Estes), a very pretty young lady. She is annoyed with him for crashing into her, but her look in his direction afterwards tells us that they will no doubt someday live happily ever after. But Harry doesn't understand this, even if he is the only one who doesn't see it.
Soon afterwards, we see Harry in school expounding on the theory that the surest way to a successful marriage is by the parents arranging it. Love will bloom later. Of course, Theresa is in the class, and she along with everyone else scoffs at Harry's viewpoint. Harry is so sure of his opinion that he is still a virgin. Theresa is determined for that state of virginity to be erased, but not in a nasty, scheming way. She makes the slightest of attempts to win him over and then settles into being his female buddy.
Harry is ready to marry and he contacts a matchmaker to set it up for him. The matchmaker delivers a beautiful young lady, living in India within what seems like a few moments. Meanwhile, Harry's male roommate is chasing chicks and catching them, despite having non-existent verbal skills and a personality that could make you woozy. I don't think filmmaker Nayan Padrai intended for us to dislike the roommate. It just turns out that way.
It's off to India for Harry's wedding, with Theresa and his roommate accompanying him. Guess what? It all falls apart, because it turns out that Harry actually really loves Theresa, and he realizes this a scant few moments before the ceremony. Can you believe it? What you really won't believe is the reaction of the bride when Harry tells her that he is in love with Theresa and cannot go through with the wedding. The left-at-the-altar bride is the most understanding human being to ever walk the earth. While she truly was looking forward to the wedding, her reaction is one of deep insight and maturity. She is more understanding than any flesh and blood human I have ever met.
Despite the multiple unlikely moments and predictability in spades, "When Harry Tries to Marry" isn't a total loss. For one thing, it never overly annoys the viewer. For another, it has affable characters. Possibly, most importantly, it is a very good looking film, showing a polish that outshines the story. Sadly, I can't offer anything much more positive than that. Maybe When Harry Divorces Theresa will be a more rewarding sequel, but I wouldn't count on it being made.
