Movie Review: ‘In Search of God’

If the grandiosely titled “In Search of God” suggests a sprawling work of profound import, guess again. It’s actually a puny vanity project that charts the supposed mystical journey of a Hollywood party girl as she returns to her native India looking for nothing less than the meaning of life; a tall order that gets the bum’s rush by one Rupam Sarmah, who “conceived and directed” this painfully inept, mercifully short documentary.

A cheesy, “Sex and the City”-type opening presents Kavita Srinivasan as a happy-go-lucky L.A. transplant in sudden need of enlightenment. A trip to remote and colorful Majuli (the world’s largest river island, located in northeastern India) is advised and Kavita’s on her way. Once there, she’s met by a young monk who tour-guides her through tribal villages, temples, music and dance performances and other local exotica. He also introduces her to the island’s various holy men who offer a hodgepodge of airy perspectives on finding — and keeping — God (no spoiler: look inward).

The entire enterprise, hobbled by uneven sound, clunky editing and embarrassing narration, feels more staged than captured as the wide-eyed Kavita gets her spirituality on in ways that can’t help but evoke Elle Woods in a sari.

“In Search of God.” No MPAA rating. In English and Hindi with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour. At Laemmle’s Sunset 5, West Hollywood.