ThiefHott Too much of everything

Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Steineded How sad is this?

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

TxMike I found this interesting little movie on Amazon Prime streaming.It plays upon the notion that people from diverse backgrounds can connect when they find something in common, but cultural differences are usually difficult to overcome.Indian actress Mahira Kakkar is Asha, about 25, she is an aspiring filmmaker going to school in Prague.American actor Andrew Pastides is Hank, also in his 20s, also an aspiring filmmaker. He moved to New York for a year to see if he can make it there. When this story takes place he is driving a van as an errand boy.Hank has made a short film and it is shown in Prague where Asha see it. She likes it and is curious about the filmmaker and contacts him.Most of the movie is about Hank and Asha alternately sending each other videos, the modern equivalent of sending letters back and forth. They seem to have a lot in common, and when Hank finds out Asha always wanted to go to Paris he makes arrangements for them to go and meet there. But there is a hitch, Asha just got engaged, it is an arranged marriage, it was a deal she made with her mother to allow her to go to school in Prague.Will Hank and Asha go to Paris anyway? Will they find they have so much in common that Asha cancels her Indian wedding? We wonder all these things as the story unfolds. I am glad I came across this small movie, it is different and interesting.SPOILERS: As they get closer, from a distance, Hank begins to get upset at the situation, his culture finds it distasteful that a bright young woman would agree to an arranged marriage. He still seems to have hopes that when they meet in Paris they both will realize they belong together. But it never happens, Asha tells Hank she will not go to Paris after all to meet him, she "just isn't that type of person." She intends to stay committed to the arrangement.

GeoPierpont Folks, I really had to power through on this one, primarily dull, boring and repetitive. However, the promise of a conjoinment in Paris kept me hoping for more. Given the beautiful capture of Prague and it's cityscapes, could it get even better with both of their videocams in Paris??? I'm IN!So there I was yelling at the screen...C'mon kids move it along pahleeeze! Let's have some fun in Paris, and when I observed there were just minutes remaining, I sighed knowing this was not to be. What a cop out you freaks, she is so modest but takes film of her in bed and shares many intimate moments, but FLOWERS, OMG this X-rated scene permanently scarred my soul.What a sweet concept of a growing romance between two cultures and how they overcame their differences and somehow could end up together, OK maybe at least at her wedding... But wait, there's actually more! This guy is really seXy with his Risky Business Hindi Dance and could not get a date as a PA in NYC???? Just too many non-credible variables and slow dialog that truly disappointed. Recommend for Prague capture and better than Tom Cruise undie dance. I know, low budget, but so are many prized possessions.

RMcDaniel10 "Hank and Asha" is a great film in many ways. The caliber of writing in this small film is truly exceptional. Some of the dialog appears to be improvisational, but my guess is that the majority was written by the filmmakers and there's not a false note of dialog in the entire movie. You would never know that this movie was filmed on a shoestring budget. The cinematography is outstanding. This film looks like anything but a low budget movie. Beautifully shot! I can only imagine the difficulties of editing a film like this. It seems as if it was edited down to the best possible 73 minutes. Yes, it's a short film, but it doesn't feel like one. Kudos to the editor for not being tempted to turn this into a two hour movie. Both lead actors are extremely good and believable. I fully expect to see the male lead (Andrew Pastides) in an ABC TV sitcom soon, or if not, then he could be the next Paul Rudd.Finally, if this is James E. Duff's first film, I can't wait to see what's next. He strikes me as an extremely gifted director. Again, there is not a false note in the entire movie. "Hank and Asha" is a must-see. Certainly one of the best independent films of 2013.

Mae Abdulbaki This year's romantic comedies have nothing on Hank and Asha. The film gives us a new take on a topic that's been attempted several times before: long-distance relationships. The film is genuinely funny, doesn't try too hard, and isn't fantastical with its topic. First-time director James E. Duff gets it right in an age where long-distance and online relationships are all the rage in a highly connected world. Asha (Mahira Kakkar) is an Indian girl studying film abroad in Prague. At a film festival, she sees a documentary that moves her and is disappointed when the director of the film, Hank (Andrew Pastides), isn't there to talk about it. In order to ask a question about the inspiring film, Asha tracks down his information and sends him a video message. Hank is living in New York and responds in kind. Through video messages, they begin a heartfelt relationship that connects them to each other though they never meet face-to-face. They're both lonely and disconnected from the physical world, but come to learn a lot about each other through questions and funny messages they leave for each other. Certain complications arise that throw a wrench in their relationship and force them to look at things a little more realistically. This film is by far one of the most heartfelt films of the year. It's cute and funny, warm and sad. The performances, though the two actors are never in the same scene, are fantastic and extremely layered. You'll feel almost as if you were receiving messages from a friend abroad. The movie breaks racial barriers too and doesn't focus on the fact that it's doing so, which is a refreshing break from the films that make you hyper-aware of it. The film is shot entirely through video messages between the characters. In this aspect, it's very original. We get to see two different worlds entirely through messages left in different time zones. The movie explores the loneliness of living in a new place and the struggles of maintaining human contact through online means. Through each other they learn and experience new things. Hank and Asha get to know each other better than some people do in the real world and that is one of the film's strengths. Mahira Kakkar as Asha is the perfect choice. She's cute and awkwardly funny in a way that's entirely real. Besides being funny, Kakkar brings warmth to her scenes and can make you laugh and extremely sad depending on what the situation calls for. She'll have you rooting for Kakkar. And funny as it is to say, seeing as how the leads never appear on screen together, but they have pretty great chemistry in reaction to each other's messages. Andrew Pastides is the average guy. He's not stereotypically suave and doesn't say charming things because he has ulterior motives. He's sweet and funny. He acts like a lot of guys actually act and it comes off as very realistic and true. His frustrated ranting is both entertaining and highly saddening in context with his and Asha's relationship struggles. He and Kakkar both work so well talking to only a camera. Hank and Asha is easily one of the best films at the Virginia Film Festival this year. It embraces the online world in a comedic fashion, but brings it back down to Earth with its poignant realism. It's heartwarming and very lovable in a way a lot of romantic comedies can only dream of being, the cast perfect, and the story almost bittersweet. It's really a story for anyone who's ever struggled to be connected to someone in a world that's highly plugged in to cyberspace, yet somehow disconnected. Sweet, fun, and realistic.