The Problem with Apu

The Problem with Apu ... welcomes viewers into the conversation by gently weaving the narrative between Springfield and the real world.

The Problem With Apu, is drowned out by frustration that he can't land an interview with the character's voice actor, Hank Azaria.

A congenial and persuasive argument for why Apu must go.

Kondabolu and friends wonder what can be done about Apu now and there's nobody around to make it into a real conversation. Still, there's great virtue in getting that conversation started and, in under an hour, The Problem with Apu does that well.

The Problem with Apu often unfolds like a movie-length Daily Show segment -- and that's a compliment -- deftly outlining the stereotypes South Asian people still struggle with in media depictions.

Kondabolu argues that with so few media depictions of characters of Indian descent, just one can disproportionately shape how an entire culture is seen by American viewers.

The film is an interesting door to a useful discussion about portrayals of people on TV...

Kondabolu raises some troubling questions. I'll never be able to watch "The Simpsons" without thinking about this again.

It's a must-see, in fact, especially if it makes us uncomfortable. Because it's [Hari] Kondabolu, at least we'll laugh through the discomfort.

[Hari] Kondabolu is a patient and deliberate interviewer, pushing and pulling back in equal measure, bringing out moments of real vulnerability in some subjects and allowing others to wrap themselves in the contradictions of their own arguments.

[Hari] Kondabolu's debut film The Problem with Apu is a 49-minute weird hybrid of comedy, documentary, and animated boxing match.

Ideally, the stakes of Kondabolu's documentary are higher than just the future of The Simpsons or Hank Azaria's esteem...unfortunately, Kondabolu stops short of imagining a better version of The Simpsons or a world beyond Apu.