As a Sikh man with a full beard and turban, AMRIT SINGH is often the target of racial profiling. But when he sees his dreams of becoming Chief of Surgery at a state-of-the-art transplant center dwindle because of his appearance, Amrit goes against a tradition he's maintained his whole life and cuts his hair. Hiding this decision from his girlfriend and family in Toronto is only the start of a series of compromises Amrit finds himself making as he deals with hospital politics and health care injustices. When his compromises result in the death of a patient, Amrit begins to reexamine the value of the religious traditions he'd turned his back on.
A provocative, well-acted and moderately heartfelt drama that suffers from lack of bite and boldness while resorting to oversimplifications, facileness and contrivance.
Ocean, smoothly directed by Sarab S. Neelam, mostly comes down on the side of tradition and, like Amrit, is dutiful and virtuous. And, like him, it's also a bit too well mannered to make a strong impact.
Tom Long
Detroit News
August 07, 2009
The acting here is surprisingly even and Neelam rarely betrays himself as a newbie behind the camera. For a local indie film, this Ocean is smooth indeed.
It sounds heavy-handed, and it is. Although the film looks professional, it feels like a soap opera with a message. High marks for good intentions, but that's about all.
