Next showing:
March 8; 7:00pm
Camera 12

“Outsourced” is a feel good movie that captures the viewer’s heart and takes it on a sweet and charming journey. Director John Jeffcoat moves his first feature smartly through the mire of Global Economic realities, past the struggle of male/female romance, inserting major cultural differences, and tells a humorous tale without missing a beat. “Outsourced” is an elegantly thought out and presented feature that explores business-based cultural differences while young hearts do what young hearts do.
Todd is an American manager of a sales department selling catalog goods. With no warning, his management decides to outsource all jobs that are phone and internet related to India. It’s a reality for many. Jobs once thought safe due to skill and seniority are now going where the cost of performance is much less but without compromise of quality. If Todd is to keep his stock options and possible financial future in order, he must go to India and train his replacement.
With American arrogance, Todd steps all over Indian culture as he attempts to train his new employees while explaining the value of the less than practical things being sold by the company. Just try explaining a hotdog and bun toaster to a strict vegetarian who holds reverence toward the bovine. Todd quickly finds himself over his head. Asha, a beautiful employee comes to his aid and leads him through a journey of self discovery and cultural understanding.
Josh Hamilton plays Todd quite nicely. He’s uncomplicated and easily understood. We accept his role as the bad guy in Seattle and as the good guy in India. And we root for him to grow and change. Co-starring is Ayesha Dharker, as Asha, a delightful and charming gal whose face beams brightly when she smiles. Hamilton and Dharker share a chemistry on screen that could be felt in the seats.
“Outsourced” is not a documentary about the practice of outsourcing. That’s a given. It’s a reality. “Outsourced” is about learning from one another, accepting one another, and enjoying the trip along the way. Filmed completely in India, but for 2 days in Seattle, the background scenes were captivating and inspiring as well as eye opening. This was a delightfully presented film that I wanted to continue going. “Outsourced” is fast becoming a festival favorite. If you get the chance, “Outsourced” is a film worth seeing.