ABCD

This saga of second generation Indians in America sorting out their cultural identity is plain fare, compared with our own Hanif Kureishi and East Is East. 'American-Born Confused Deshi' describes the daughter (Sheth) and son (Tahir) of a traditionalist widow (Jaffrey), concerned that neither of them has married. The son's arranged engagement has gone on too long, while his sister is torn between an old childhood friend from home and the attractions of a wealthy white suitor. All concerned have their own prejudices tested and sometimes overturned as the film ambles through the issues, but the assured performances can't compensate for a script that falls flat in the middle, while only the Asian characters really ring true.