A new movie from the producers of Love Actually and Bridget Jones’s Diary featuring Emma Thompson … how could you not check it out?
What’s Love Go To Do With It? the movie, explores what happens if you turn your back on the plethora of dating apps and try the old fashioned way of finding you soulmate … an arranged marriage?
The story follows acclaimed documentary filmmaker Zoe (Lily James) who has just had her latest documentary ideas rejected. Deemed too hard-hitting or depressing she’s about to see her career grind to a halt. In a desperate bid to keep her employers happy she thinks on her feet and pitches the idea of following a young couple about to marry someone they haven’t even met. After some consideration the executives agree. But there’s just one problem.
The man in question is her childhood friend and neighbour Kazim (Shazad Latif). Kazim has no idea that Zoe has pitched an intrusive look into his private life.
Kazim has decided to follow his parents’ example. He leaves the choice entirely in their hands, with the help of Mo the Matchmaker (Asim Chaudhry). After some interesting and sometimes politically incorrect “guidelines”, they decide on a bright and beautiful bride from Pakistan.
The first meeting is arranged over Zoom where Kazim meets the quiet and seemingly dutiful Maymouna (Sajal Ali). But is she all that she seems?
And so begins the journey from London to Lahore to a new life.
Having convinced Kazim and his family to let her document the process, Zoe tags along. Also along for the ride is Zoe’s opinionated mother Cath (Emma Thompson). Apart from being enthralled with the culture and nuptials, Cath is hoping the idea of an assisted marriage might rub off on Zoe. Cath has been trying to hook her daughter up for years, the latest choice … her delightful vet.
What’s Love Got To Do With It, the movie asks the question, is it better to approach love with passion or pragmatism? Is it better to fall or walk into love?
As the vibrant Bollywood dance sequences took over the screen I pondered:
- While the main story is predictable the tangential message, a retelling of fairy tales from our cynical protagonist, was interesting;
- Emma Thompson tries and fails to not steal the scenes she’s in;
- Thankfully for all concerned the assisted marriage looks nothing like Married at First Sight.
In cinemas Jan 26th 2023. For more information go to Event Cinema.
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