Binzento Vincente review on Dr. Cabbie, opens September 19th
in theatres across Canada
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I was recently invited to
prescreen a new Canadian film called Dr.
Cabbie, directed by Jean-François Pouliot, starring Vinay Virmani, Kunal Nayyar,
Adrianne Palicki and Isabel Kaif.
When I saw the title and read the synopsis,
the first thing that came to my mind was an image of a Bollywood film added
with Canadian twist to it. However to my surprise, not only Dr. Cabbie was a
funny and loving comedy, it also touches on social issues and life challenges
that relate to many Canadian immigrants.
The story talks about a new med
school graduate from India, Deepak (played by Vinay Virmani), has plans
to set foot in Canada to become a doctor, but shortly arriving to the country
he realizes that dreams and reality are much further apart than expected.
Having difficulties finding a
position as a doctor at the hospital, Deepak unwillingly works for his uncle at
his Indian restaurant, and subsequently becomes a cab driver through a referral
of his friend Tony (played by Kunal Nayyar).
A twist of fate occurs when he
coincidentally meets a young beautiful woman named Natalie (played by Adrianne
Palicki) who eventually he helps delivering her baby in his cab out of
emergency. Soon the news about Deepak, the “cab doctor” and his heroic act at
the back of the seats spread. His “popularity” granted him the title “Dr.
Cabbie and people from all walks of life come for his medical advice. This
allows him to continue his passion to cure the sick.
When things seem to go well for Deepak,
a dramatic event has caused him running into trouble with the law, and is on
the verge of being deported back to India. I am not going to spoil you with all
the details of what happens in the end, but I have to say that Dr. Cabbie
deserves a celebration.
Personally I think that Dr.
Cabbie is a well-written and well-directed film, the jokes are dead-on and
relevant, and the cast is fantastic with the right character development. The
movie definitely is not a typical Bollywood style film – but rather a modern
comedy that offers a subtle Bollywood twist.
Aside from being a heart-warming
and a witty comedy movie, Dr. Cabbie actually digs deeper into social issues -
It speaks the minds of many immigrants who came to Canada for a better life,
and yet their credentials for work are not accepted. Without much support, they
are forced to take “lesser
desirable” jobs earning only substantial amount of money for living. It touches
my heart since I know that some of my friends from Asia (ie: doctors, engineers,
and lawyers) who comes to Canada for work but ends up with positions as dishwashers,
servers and school janitors. They are all unable to live the life they
initially hope for.
Another aspect that makes me
really enjoyed Dr. Cabbie was the focus on the family topic. It’s refreshing to
see a change from all the recent superhero movies, and showing how saving one’s
life doesn’t necessarily mean you need special powers., The fact that Dr.
Cabbie’s family stands behind him no matter what brings in very powerful and
inspiring emotions. Overall, if I had to give up to five stars for this movie,
Dr. Cabbie deserves a 4.5/5 in my
book.
Dr. Cabbie opens in theatres on
September 19th. I would
recommend this film to those that are in the midst of going through troubling
times in life, and need something to up-lift their spirits, and give them the
encouragement and hope to over come the challenge.
Dr. Cabbie Trailer
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