'Outsourced' movie tackles global issue with relatable comedy

Film addresses the conflict and romance that can arise when U.S. and Indian cultures collide.

By Denise Dubie, NetworkWorld.com
February 07, 2008 04:52 PM ET

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The movie Outsourced takes on the touchy topic of U.S. companies outsourcing jobs to India with humor as it showcases the misunderstandings and love matches that can arise when cultures clash. (Read about Outsourcing vs. keeping the job in-house, one of Networking’s 50 Greatest Arguments.)

Listen to Network Downtime for a podcast review of Outsourced

The independent film, which was widely released in September 2007 and is now available on video and DVD, opens with its lead character faced with losing his management position within a U.S. call center or traveling more than 7,865 miles from Seattle to India to train his replacement. The call center manager, Todd Anderson (played by Josh Hamilton who also starred in Kicking and Screaming and The Bourne Identity), opts to keep his stock options and take on the challenge of getting the employees at an India-based call center up to snuff before the company shuts down the Seattle operations.

The journey begins with some expected scenarios an American traveling abroad may face: overcrowded trains and other unorthodox travel means; digestive issues with local food and drink; and language and accent differences causing communications problems. While Todd is challenged to adjust to the new environment, culture and workforce, mishaps ensue. But such issues can't last long as he is told by his Seattle-based boss his Indian team must cut a more than 12 minute-per-incident call time in half or the facility will be shut down.

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While Outsourced could have continued with its "foreigner in a strange land" premise, the film subtly shifts gears. The movie starts to show the wonder and beauty of cultural differences between Americans and Indians without judgment. For instance, Todd openly dislikes his company, his boss and his job. His soon-to-be replacement Puro (played likably by Asif Basra) cherishes his future management position and plans his marriage around the added respect and wealth he will gain as a call center manager. Also, Todd's love interest, outspoken call center agent Asha, points out that while the Indian workers need to understand American culture to better perform their jobs, Todd must also learn more about Indian culture to help them succeed.

The film not only shows India in the light of being newly discovered, but it also opens Todd's eyes to some of his American-isms that might seem odd to others. For instance, Puro is shocked to hear Todd doesn't live with or near his parents while Puro, Asha and other characters express how critical their families are to them even in adult life. Also Todd's disregard for Indian culture early on leads to some comedic exchanges with others when he learns exactly why one shouldn't eat with their left hand and how offensive a home-branding kit for burgers would be to Indians.

One scene that solidifies Todd's realization that he must learn as much about India as he must teach others about the ways of American business involves a comical trip to a restaurant called MacDonnell's. All he wants is a cheeseburger, but Todd soon realizes the McDonald's knock-off only sells vegetarian fare. He runs into a fellow American there who explains how it wasn't until he was able to let go of some of his American ideals that he could fully enjoy Indian culture.