Asian American representation in media often overlooks Pakistanis, although this has been changing in recent years. I've been following the progress made on this show by Stranger Magic, and was really excited to see U&U air.
Some of the cinematography is beautiful. And the first three minutes of the first episode really draw the viewer in. Sana's introduction is well-executed, and somewhat reminiscent of the opening to "Bhaji on the Beach." Through the trailers, I knew to expect certain tropes: mental illness, the questions of marriage, racism, filial piety. I was hoping to see these issues portrayed and discussed thoughtfully and in detail.
The story is rushed; Sana's med school dilemma, Haaris' business issues, their father's conservative political views, and both siblings' relationships are hurriedly introduced. It doesn't help that the dialogue and chemistry between the Shaikh family feels unnatural and awkward. The scene at the tutoring center does little to convince the viewer that Sana wants to ditch med school and teach. Haaris has a number of conflicts, but is about as expressive about them as Kristen Stewart in "Twilight." Equally as unconvincing are the phone conversations that the characters have. The dialogue is stiff and sounds as though everyone's reading text messages.
Where the show shines is with Ro and her family. Rookaya has a strong personality, and is poles apart from Usman's dullness. Her family drama, and concerns about her relationship with Haaris, are a breath of fresh air. The chemistry between the family feels real and I enjoyed seeing how well the dialogue flowed between them. Any weaknesses in the other characters' acting are outweighed by the charm portrayed by the Hakims.
I think U&U could really benefit by having better focus, specifically in terms of the dialogue and angles. Rethinking character placement and setting can make the scenes less awkward-looking. A rehash of the dialogue can strengthen the plot and offer more depth to the characters.
I applaud Stranger Magic Productions for bringing Asian and Muslim American stories to audiences everywhere. It is a laudable endeavor to capture this story with a low budget. This is only the beginning of Unfair and Ugly, and it has the potential of becoming a staple in Asian American households.
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