Offshore is, per the movie’s tagline, a corporate tale of cowboys and Indians.

The film examines the lives of workers affected by the outsourcing of a call center in the U.S. to India. It follows both the American and Indian employees.

It is a comedy, for the most part. But it also has a dark side. It is not a dark comedy, however. I suppose it’s more of a dramatic comedy. But I wouldn't want the film to be drug down with labels. It’s a very unique and well-executed movie.

And it was made in Michigan... Well, Michigan and India.

But mostly Michigan – and more specifically, the Detroit area.

The film follows three American employees against the outsourcing, three Indian employees who must be trained by the people whose jobs they are taking, and one American worker caught in the middle. It also features the struggle between the owner of the business, the employees in charge of the transition on both sides and an annoying investigative reporter who covers the outsourcing.

It shows all perspectives equally and doesn’t take sides. The perspectives are presented to make you think, and not necessarily to decide who is right or wrong in their actions. The characters are fun to watch, are superbly developed and awesomely portrayed. The story is captivating. ,p>Offshore is a great combination of entertainment and enlightenment – which in my opinion, is the pinnacle of filmmaking.

Offshore premiered Monday, October 23, 2006, at The Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak, MI, to a packed theater. It was extremely well-received.

The director, Diane Cheklich, has previously worked as a producer on another made-in-Michigan film, Trap (see my review on that film), and she hopes to help put Michigan on the map as a major film area.

If you’d like to visit what may soon be a historical landmark, check out Rallo’s Pizza, near 13 Mile Road and Main Street in Royal Oak. The restaurant fed the cast and crew regularly and is featured in the film. The call center for the restaurant was also outsourced to India, in the film, that is. I think this bit in the film was so funny. Imagine calling your local pizza place and the person who takes your call is in another country. This seems to be a subtle but effective way to display some of the absurdity of outsourcing.

For more information on, and future showings of Offshore, please visit Offshorethemovie.com

Grade: A