My wife and I went to see The Lunch Box largely because it stars that Life of Pi guy (Irrfan Khan), but also because it seemed like a sweet little story, one that might have hidden depths. It actually is a sweet little story, one that reminds me of the lighter fare of the 1990s Indie Renaissance, with its low-key human themes, and the particular way it develops the main character via the development of supporting characters. The Lunch Box is also very enjoyable as a peek into the fascinating environment and way of life of people in India (the journey those lunch boxes make every day should blow the mind of any American). But the story is a bit slow, with limited dialog and limited content, and it succeeded largely because Irrfan Khan is a very enjoyable actor to watch – he propped up the film a good bit, and with the force of this presence he largely gave this film whatever emotional resonance it had.

Still, I would recommend The Lunch Box. It’s a sweet, interesting story, well-acted, and ultimately quite satisfying.