Starring: Naveen Andrews, Sarita Choudhury, Ronny Jhutti, Ravi Kapoor, Ameet Chana
Director: David Attwood
Producer: Eric Fellner
Screenplay: Harwant Bains
Released by the Samuel Goldwyn Company
Wild West has nothing to do with the old American frontier. Rather, it is a sort of Pakistani version of The Commitments, with the focus of the band being country/western music rather than R&B.
Zaf (Naveen Andrews) is the leader of the Honky Tonk Cowboys, an all-Pakistani country music band that plays wherever it can get a gig in London's Southall district. Away from the stage, Zaf and his brothers (Kay, played by Ronny Jhutti, and Ali, played by Ravi Kapoor) are what the well-respected members of the community call "a wild bunch", getting their kicks from stealing police cars and other sorts of "harmless" mischief. Zaf's soul is his music, however, and he finds new life -- and a lead singer -- when he meets Rifat (Sarita Choudhury), the abused wife of a West London cabbie.
Wild West is a culture clash movie with a twist. This time, it's not Pakistanis trying to fit in with whites, but Pakistanis trying to be accepted as country/western musicians. The film has the good sense to approach this subject with a fair dose of humor, so, while the point is made, it's accomplished without a sermon. This is a lighthearted romp, not a lugubrious piece of moralizing.
Director David Attwood has infused his entire film with zest -- not only the characters, but the story itself. If the pacing is occasionally erratic, it's because Attwood rarely slows down, and when he does (usually for a moment of straight drama -- such as the scenes where Zaf's mother talks to him about going to Pakistan), the audience feels the lull.
Occasionally, the film is too obvious. Attwood creates a number of intentional stereotypes, but these don't always work. The "typical American" record producers are an example. As sendups, this pair is a little too. Rifat's abusive husband is another case of a character that never clicks.
Wild West doesn't have the flair of The Commitments. In the first place, the music isn't as powerful or all-pervasive. Additionally, Attwood's film is never especially concerned about burrowing under the characters' skins. Wild West isn't shallow, but it glosses over numerous issues to preserve the light tone. This could easily have become a dark, brooding motion picture.
All the performers are likable. The best known, Sarita Choudhury (of Mississippi Masala), has the most agreeable on-screen presence. Naveen Andrews displays good range as Zaf, and seems perfectly at home in a cowboy hat and jacket. Ameet Chana, who plays the Honky Tonk Cowboys' manager, gives an occasionally-hilarious over-the-top performance, seizing on every Americanism and cliche he can find.
Wild West works because of its reckless spirit. The message about people's intolerance of diversity comes across all the more clearly because it isn't presented through long speeches and mournful testimonials. Using its offbeat characters and storyline to good effect, Wild West is a capable mingling of substance and farce.
© 1993, 1996 James Berardinelli