Americanish
Studio Autonomous ProductionsIman Zawahry’s Americanish is a darling romantic comedy that explores womanhood in relation to cultural and societal expectations. The film follows career-driven Pakistani-American sisters Sam (Aizzah Fatima) and Maryam (Salena Quereshi) as well as their cousin visiting from Pakistan, Ameera (Shenaz Treasury), who is seeking to marry an American doctor.
Each of the women of Americanish are of the age when their mothers begin insisting that it is time for them to find a husband and have a family, and the film examines each character’s different approach to marriage. Sam is the eldest daughter and deeply focused on her career, believing that she does not have the time to pursue love and typically shuns it, constantly rejecting the advances of Zayn (Mohammed Amer), a cop she keeps running into around their neighbourhood. Maryam is about to graduate high school and hopes to get into Harvard’s pediatrician program, though she quickly falls in love with Shahid (Kapil Talwalkar), a boy in her MCAT study group, and has to deal with choosing a future career or choosing her future husband. Lastly, Ameera sets out to realise her Coming to America dreams and is adamant about finding a Pakistani doctor to marry. But she meets Gabriel (Godfrey), a Black local convenience store owner, and questions whether she should stick to her cultural beliefs around marriage or pursue her feelings for Gabriel.
Due to being a romantic comedy, Americanish does fall into the usual tropes, but writer-director Iman Zawahry and co-writer and star Aizzah Fatima insert enough cultural and religious dynamics into the story that it makes Americanish feel a little more special than a traditional rom-com. The screenplay offers a fresh perspective yet will remain familiar to viewers with a Muslim and/or South-Asian background, who will find the character dynamics especially endearing. There are also certain scenes written into the film that seem to be a requirement now for any film about Muslim characters. At one point when Maryam and Sam are walking down the street, they are yelled at by a white man to “Go back to your country!” One of the clients Sam does social media for is a Trump-esque figure that constantly spews anti-immigrant rhetoric.
However, there are plenty of subplots that are unique to Americanish. Maryam is especially close to Islam, being the only woman in her family that wears hijab. At one point in the film, her mother expresses worries that wearing her scarf will make Maryam a target for hate and urges her not to wear it, and Maryam struggles with whether she should bow to Western standards or keep her faith. Colourism is another theme that is explored prominently throughout the film through Ameera’s friendship with Gabriel. She is surprised to learn that he is Muslim after he says “Inshallah” – “if God wills it” – to her, going so far as to blurt out “But you’re Black” to him. Her aunt Khala also expresses anti-Black sentiments throughout the film and, fortunately, is frequently reprimanded by her daughters who insist that it isn’t right to say such things.
Amercanish is a relatable and endearing film, and a welcome addition to the romantic comedy genre. It takes the time to explore topics that are often ignored in South-Asian communities, subtly seeking to educate the audience and transform the opinion of viewers. The film will be especially refreshing to those from the communities centred in Americanish, as it skillfully explores the complexities of honoring and breaking tradition.