Once in a while comes a small budget movie that transcends all barriers, all boundaries. Once in a while, comes a movie that is funny, insightful, intelligent and tasteful. Once in a while comes an English movie with a storyline and plot that could well and truly be Indian. My Big Fat Greek Wedding could might as well be called My Big Fat Indian Wedding. Although the movie is shot in New York, it could also well be Mumbai or Chennai.

The story that revolves around an orthodox Greek family could be any orthodox family in India. The heroine, a frumpy 30-something woman who is a cause of worry to her family because she is not married could well be an Indian woman in the same kind of situation. The drama in the story - when the heroine Toula Portokalos falls in love with a non-Greek man, much to the horror and dismay of the family could be a typical Indian drama unfolding in many Indian families. The father's strong reaction to the relationship is a typical reaction to an inter-community marriage in India.

Toula Portokalos, like any Indian girl, who is not married, feels trapped and oppressed by her family's expectations: "Nice Greek girls are expected to do three things: Marry Greek boys, make Greek babies and feed everyone until the day we die," she complains. She is compared unfavourably to her sister who married young and who produces Greek babies at regular intervals.

Her life takes a turn when she meets Ian and falls in love with him. The only trouble is, he is not Greek. Her family wants her to marry a Greek man. Overcoming the family's opposition is a formidable task. But both Toula and Ian manage to convince their respective families. And the result - A happy Greek wedding.

Although the film is about a Greek family, it could have just as easily been about any family. The story shows a lot of insight and compassion. This is a very funny, heart-warming film. It has fun with the quirks of family life, but it also treats the subject with fondness and respect.

All in all, a lovely movie that is universal in appeal. Truly a must-see for all who love big, noisy, nosy, affectionate families.

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