A promising comedy from Nisha Ganatra, Chutney Popcorn is an interesting film about sibling rivalry taken one step beyond the norm. Ganatra, who also directed and co-wrote the film, stars as Reena, a motorcycle-riding henna tattoo artist and photographer in New York City.  She’s also Indian and a lesbian, and Popcorn shows the provocative clash between the traditional and modern relationships.

 Popcorn opens with Reena missing sister Sarita’s (Sakina Jaffrey, Cotton Mary) wedding to Mitch (Nick Chinlund, Third Watch).  Being late is one thing, but Reena’s mom hits the roof when she’s tardy and brings beautiful girlfriend Lisa (Jill Hennessy, Law & Order).  It becomes clear that Reena can do nothing right in the eyes of her mother and, as a result, has developed a distinct jealousy toward sister Sarita.

Reena sees her big chance to win Mom’s approval when, after several months of unsuccessful attempts, Sarita announces she’s unable to get pregnant.  Much to the slack-jawed surprise of everyone, Reena steps in and offers to carry her sister’s baby to term, and then give the child to Sarita and Mitch to raise.

Popcorn’s first act sets up the characters, while the second shows Reena trying to get pregnant (there are several funny turkey-baster scenes).  The third act focuses on the havoc that the pregnancy wreaks in the relationships of each character, especially between Reena and the permanency-phobic Lisa.  “She’s my sister,” Reena explains, before Lisa complains, “So you owe her 13 chromosomes?”

There are also a series of frank sexual discussions that take place in front of a street vendor become somewhat of a running gag in the film. But the main attraction here is the rivalry between Reena and Sarita. One is boring and grounded, while the other is a fun-loving free spirit.  By the time the closing credits role, they’ve swapped places.

Popcorn features a dizzyingly beautiful soundtrack, featuring Team Dresch, Maganpop, The Spinanes and The Magnetic Fields.

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