Heartland: The MisEducation of Bindu

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"The MisEducation of Bindu," set and shot in Indiana, is a charming variation on a familiar tale.

Megan Suri plays Bindu Chaudry, a fairly recently transplant from her home in India, where she yearns to return. Her mother (Priyanka Bose), a widow, has remarried to Bill (David Arquette), an amiable American electrician. The couple is happy, but Bindu is suffering constant, chronic bullying and isolation at school.

The film, executive produced by the Duplass brothers and directed by Prarthana Mohan, who also wrote the script with Kay Tuxford, was largely shot at Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis -- redubbed Broad River High for an easy swap-out of signs and such.

As the story opens, Bindu wants to test out of Spanish class so she can return to India with her high school diploma. Her mom is a strict Indian traditionalist -- meaning no boys or any kind of normal social life. Bill encourages her to socialize more, but feels like the middle man who can't give anyone advice that will be listened to.

In perhaps the fast act of rebellion of her young life, Bindu determines to take the test against her mother's wishes. But it costs $57 (and change) for the proctor, so she spends the rest of the school day trying to raise the money. Screen titles give a running tally of the total needed as it goes down (and occasionally up again.)

(A bit odd no one thought to do online fundraising, despite the fact every kid's constantly on their phone.)

This is a nice, fresh cast of young talent that I enjoyed spending time with. Suri has an effortless, cheerful presence on the screen. Philip Labes plays Peter, a dorky friend who sticks up for her while his buddy, Rob (Jake Morrissy), milks her for free help with his homework.

Her main antagonists are Sam (Gordon Winarick) and Trenton (Logan Scofield), a pair of popular jocks. They seem to have been spreading rumors about Bindu being a slut, despite her being so innocent as to not even grasp basic sex slang. ("I was not blowjobbing him!")

Shingari plays Smirthi, a fellow Indian transplant who's had a much better time integrating into American life. I also got a kick out of Hannah Alline as Holly "the head," who wears a protective helmet everywhere she goes (medical condition? or choice?) and is a chief conduit for gossip and dirt.

There aren't a lot of surprises in the screenplay, but the filmmakers and cast give us an easy, comfortable intro into a little community that feels real and lived-in.

It's tough enough to be a teen, let alone a female, let alone a newcomer from another land. "The MisEducation of Bindu" will produce some empathy, and cheers, from the audience.

The MisEducation of Bindu Trailer from Mill Valley Film Festival on Vimeo.