The U.S. is a melting pot of different cultures, and in modern times, people hardly bat an eye at couples who mix these cultures and ethnicities, but what if you had a problem with your own culture? And, better yet, what if you had multiple cultures and didn't know exactly where you belong? This is the problem with Ray Rehem (Zachary Levi from NBC's Chuck), who must come to terms with his Pakistani dad and his white mom while finding his place in the world in the film Shades of Ray.

While this film has similar themes as The Namesake, which deals with an Indian American son trying to relate with his dad and ignore his heritage by assimilating into the white world, Shades of Ray takes on these themes with a large dose of humor.

The film centers on the day when Ray's dad shows up on his steps after Ray's mom kicks him out. His dad immediately ignores the fact that Ray isn't the traditional Pakistani son (he's an actor/bartender, a fact he hides from his dad) and tries to set him up with a half-Pakistani girl, even though Ray has proposed to his white bread girlfriend who has left on a vacay with her super white fam without giving Ray an answer. Ray begins to question his feelings for his lady and the years he has ignored his culture when he begins to fall for his fellow half-Pakistani-half-white friend.

Greg and I walked into this film with very low expectations (except I love Chuck and knew of Levi's winning charm and comedy chops), and we walked away with a belly full of laughs. The film isn't incredibly funny the whole way through, but it is charming with a relatively well-regonized cast of Kathy Baker, Brian George, Bonnie Sommerville, and Mama Petrelli from Heroes.

The film works because of Levi, who shines, even through his fake tan. And his chemistry with both his parents is touching. Although he works well with his comedic buddy (Fran Kanz), he downplays the too-big jokes that Kanz tries to drive home so blatantly and desperately. And, though, the plot is a smidgeon cliche and feels incredibly autobiographical, it plays with tough themes as race, religion, culture, acting, and love with a touch of humor and lots of heart. There are no shades of gray here, only Shades of Ray.

(check out the trailer below!)

Review by: Darcie Duttweiler

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