If "The Tiger Hunter" had been presented as the pilot for a new network television show, it would have had a decent chance of making one of the schedules. It has the nostalgic feel of "The Goldbergs" as it takes place in the early '70s in Chicago. "The Tiger Hunter" also embraces the same kind of diversity in casting that got shows like "Fresh Off the Boat" on the air. And, it stars Danny Pudi, an actor who fit beautifully into the ensemble cast of the now defunct TV series "Community."
Alas, this is not a potential TV show but a big screen release that gets little mileage out of the time period (except for some wild clothing), fails to fully use the diverse cast except for some stereotyped actions and puts Pudi in the spotlight where it becomes glaringly obvious some actors are better suited for TV. His performance in the film isn't bad, he just doesn't have the kind of acting essence needed to be in a larger-than-life setting.
It doesn't help that from the setup to the conclusion, each page of the script is loaded with material that comes right out of the situation comedy world.
Co-writer Sameer Asad Gardezi and director/co-writer Lena Khan have given us the story of Sami Malik (Pudi), a young engineering student from India, who decides to leave his home, family and the girl (Karen David) he secretly loves to find success in America. Part of his decision to leave is that he feels like he can no longer live in the shadow of his father, a man heralded for his prowess at tracking and killing tigers.
As soon as Malik makes it to Chicago, the sitcom elements begin to flow. The job he thought he had has been eliminated and he must start in the bowels of the company amid other dreamers who have lost their will to succeed. The only person who seems to have any energy is fellow worker, Alex (Jon Heder), and his story is the stuff of countless sitcom plots.
Malik, who has only 30 days to find a way to stay in America, meets Babu (Rizwan Manji), a fast talker who invites Malik to share his apartment. It's a small room that looks more like a clown car with 10 to 15 occupants of various ethnic backgrounds sharing everything from the same bed to the same suit.
The bulk of the movie is Malik trying to get someone to believe he has first-rate engineering skills and to prove to General Iqbal (Iqbal Theba), the father of the girl he loves, that he's a worthy suitor. One attempt takes on one of the oldest gambits in sitcoms with Malik pretending he lives in the mansion his boss owns to trick his way to winning favor with the general. This bit is so old that those with allergies should avoid the movie because it has a lot of dust on it.
It falls to Pudi to pull the elements together. He's a decent actor whether it be as a supporting player in a TV series like "Powerless" or as a voice talent for a Smurf. Those are fine qualities for a TV actor but he just doesn't fill out the big-screen demands of being a stranger in a strange land, a charming suitor, the straight man for all of his fellow actors or as a son looking for respect. This role called for someone with a lot more energy. Khan has directed Pudi into such a passive approach to the character that there are no sparks whether it be the sweet love story or the cockeyed corporate world shenanigans.
Overall, there's nothing painfully wrong with "The Tiger Hunter." But it will be released on DVD soon and that's really a better way to watch the production.
