What's Love Got to Do with It?

What's Love Got To Do With It!

I liked the initial idea, however to make drama you need to compress reality and here it was reduced to some very basic premises. Arranged marriage in uk is quite different to how things might be arranged in Pakistan. Nearly everyone I know in this situation has been allowed to pursue a love match up to the age of 30, it is only when this has not worked that matchmakers are sought.

The film tried to oppose arranged marriages against a love match and this binary approach does not reflect real life. Secondly there was a sense we were, the audience, being educated but not with a realistic representation.

Did I laugh yes I did, did they follow through with any proper conclusion, no they didn't! The only conclusion I could draw from the movie was arranged marriages are all about pretence and the parents needs.

At best is was a 6 outta 10, I enjoyed it whilst I was watching it, but afterwards it really was quite unsatisfactory.

My Review-

What's Love Got to Do with It? (2022)

My Rating - 7/10

Watching this movie I found quite an enjoyable experience an interesting story, pleasant characters plus an insight into cultural differences and prejudices.

The movie is a cross cultural romance starring Lily James as Zoe a successful documentary maker who decides that her next project will be a study on the success of arranged marriages in contemporary British society.

Her childhood friend and next door neighbour Kazim played by Shazad Latif has agreed to marry a young suitable Pakistani bride chosen by his parents.

Emma Thompson plays Zoe's slightly zany but loveable mum Cath who enthusiastically embraces the culture of her neighbours even trying to match up her daughter with a suitable husband .

Of course there is a clash of cultures and all the characters have to look at their prejudices and examine the question the title of the movie asks "What's Love Got to do With It "?

I liked the clever reference to another rom com movie Love Actually when Zoe titles her new documentary Love Contractually.

I like Lily James very much her character Zoe is confident in her profession but not so confident in her romantic choices.

I haven't seen Emma Thompson play such a lightweight character before she always gives a good performance .

Shazad Latif as the boy next door Kasim is also very good as the obedient son who reluctantly agrees to his persuasive parents wish to marry their choice of a suitable beautiful Pakistani bride.

The movies British screenwriter Jemima Khan obviously writes from personal experience as she fell in love and married Imran Khan the cricketer and future Prime Minister of Pakistan in 1995 till they divorced in 2004.

It's a well produced well acted movie one of those light weight movies that's easy to watch with a good mixture of wit and wisdom.

Totally lacking plot and character development the movie falls flat. Missing are all the usual twists, turns and laughs. There is no build or development of the main characters leaving them as empty and hollow as when they started.

This film makes the first half hour of Moonfall look like a cinematic masterpiece.

Whilst not bad and an easy watch this movie really fails to deliver. Carrying a camera awkwardly from scene to scene does not make our leading lady a documentary superstar.

We are not even given any insight into the two main characters life as children together, or any insight into them liking each other more than friends.

It's like two strangers kissing at the end taking a chance on what love?? Do they even like each other. There was no tension, no chemistry between them.

And what does Emma Thompson contribute? Jumping around each scene in a shrill voice adding nothing to the value of the movie.

There are good things about this film. See it if you are looking for a light-hearted experience.

It shows some good parts of "assisted" marriage very well, while also acknowledging how these traditional practices are coming under stress by modern culture.

A BULLSEYE.

The line " .. it must start with a simmer .." is just beautiful.

Another BULLSEYE.

They started showing how the positive aspects of "assisted" partnering can be hugely beneficial in "Western" culture.

Another BULLSEYE.

I like the way the female character was portrayed as someone who chases career and recognition above all else, then suddenly looks at her life, and her thoughts go to other things. Something (I think) that resonates with much of modern western society.

Another BULLSEYE.

So the movie started to take me down a deep and sensitive path about relationships, family pressures and expectations, the clash of cultures, acceptance, risk and courage. The underlying concept that people will "grow into Love" ... as heralded by the title ... made me expect a particular kind of movie. Then it changed.

They took a "stock standard" turn and cover everything in sugar syrup, whipped cream and choc sprinkles that completely overturns the whole build up. A school child could have written the last 20 mins.

. Many people will love this film, and there are some really good parts. It opens a door of great possibility with potential riches of emotion, cultural stresses and conflict, and just takes a little peek inside.

I would love someone to make a movie where this door is thrown open with abandon. Until then, enjoy this little Rom-Com.

Filmed in London and in Pakistan. Lily James is the lead as documentary filmmaker Zoe Stevenson. She is in her 30s, does not have a serious relationship, and her mother (Emma Thompson) keeps dropping hints. She even tries her hand as a matchmaker, focusing on the nice, good-looking, age-appropriate Vet that cares for her dog.

Her good friend from childhood, growing up next door to each other in London, is Shazad Latif as Kaz Khan, a Physician. He is British of Pakistani heritage and his mom, dad, and old grandma also live there. His biological clock is ticking too and he decides to try the old-world method, a semi-arranged marriage. Much of the movie takes place in Pakistan as they all travel there for the wedding. And Zoe uses the occasion to film (digitally, of course) her next project.

The script writer as a 20-something lived and had her children in Pakistan for 10 years so she got to know the culture very well, and wanted this story to show some of the lesser known aspects of that culture. And, to explore some cross-culture issues.

There are a few very negative reviews here, along with some "1" or "2" votes. Now, having actually watched and enjoyed the movie along with my wife, I consider them all bogus. In fact it seems that some may not have actually watched the movie but somehow objected to the themes.

Good movie, meaningful and entertaining, at home on DVD from our public library.