The Guru (2002)

What makes The Guru special is how it turns a fish-out-of-water comedy into a buoyant, big-hearted mash-up of Bollywood sparkle and New York romantic mischief, with enough warmth to keep the satire from ever feeling mean. Jimi Mistry gives Ramu a sweet, eager charisma you can root for, while Heather Graham and Marisa Tomei add a playful, lived-in energy that makes the flirtation and culture-clash banter genuinely charming. The movie’s best trick is its tone: light on its feet, bright with musicality, and willing to be a little ridiculous in the service of joy, like a modern fairy tale that knows it’s winking at you. It’s not for the prudish or anyone allergic to sex-positive humor (there’s brief nudity), but if you’re on the fence and want a delightful surprise with romance, rhythm, and quick dialogue, this one earns its grin.

The Guru is trying to be a cheeky culture-clash rom-com that pokes fun at America’s self-help obsession while giving its immigrant dreamer a sweet, hopeful arc. The problem is the satire rarely bites and the comedy comes in fits and starts, so what should feel daring often lands as oddly mild and conventional. A lot of the runtime leans on airy sentiment and quirky situations rather than genuinely sharp jokes, which can make it feel lightweight when it wants to feel provocative. If you’re expecting a bold, consistently funny send-up of sex-guru culture, you’ll likely be underwhelmed, but if you’re fine with a breezy, slightly naughty (brief nudity) crowd-pleaser with charming leads, it may still pass a lazy-night test.