Netflix Movie Monday - 'Outsourced'

Hope your week's off to a good start, folks!  For me, 'Monday' means that I write another review of a movie I found on Netflix that I enjoyed, and think you might, as well.

Outsourced

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to move to a non-English-speaking country, this movie is for you!  It's also for all of us who have been through the experience of moving between cultures.  'Outsourced', an Indie romantic comedy, is the story of manager Todd Anderson, whose catalogue sales department is outsourced to India.  He is tasked to go train the company's new employees, on site, in Mumbai, India.  Plunged into a world he has never experienced before, Todd reels from the ensuing culture shock as he realizes, 'we're not in Kansas anymore'.

Putting aside the sometimes preachy, 'we're people, too' undertones of some of the Indian characters, this movie gives a pretty realistic, often humorous, portrayal of what it's like to be suddenly dropped in the third world.  Todd (whose name sounds like 'Toad' in Indian English) comes face to face with the new-to-him foods, religion (including the super creepy goddess painting in his bedroom), customs and festivals of Indian culture.  His first encounter with an Indian 'bathroom' (hint:  they don't use toilet paper) is side-splitting.

'Outsourced' paints a beautiful picture of the vibrant, deeply rooted culture of India, without being overly romantic or idealistic.  You see its strengths and flaws portrayed side-by-side with our own, Western culture.  This is a lighthearted movie that will leave you feeling good about your world.  The only downside is one unnecessary (and in my opinion culturally inappropriate) sex scene.  Overall, a positive, entertaining flick.