Cross-cultural rom-com a crowd pleaser

Review

What’s Love Got to Do with It? (M, 109mins)

Directed by Shekhar Kapur

★★★★

Reviewed by James Croot

Workaholic documentary film-maker Zoe’s (Lily James) last project might have been an award-winner, but she’s now having trouble finding inspiration that investors will back.

Shazad Latif and Lily James have terrific chemistry in What’s Love Got to Do with It?

They’d prefer upbeat characterdriven stories to her bleak realities, even as she protests that ‘‘there isn’t really a feel-good version of honour killings’’.

Increasingly frustrated and desperate for the commission that will help her make ends meet, Zoe pitches a left-field idea from close to home.

Her former next door neighbour and childhood friend, oncology registrar Kazim Khan (Spooks’ Shazad Latif), has confided in her that he plans to pursue an arranged marriage. With his consent, Zoe would follow him on ‘‘his journey to marry a stranger – one chosen by his parents’’.

Excited by the potential of ‘‘When Harry is Forced to Meet Sally’’, ‘‘Meet the Parents – First’’, ‘‘[I Hope She’s A] Pretty Woman’’ or ‘‘My Big Fat Arranged Marriage’’, or, as Zoe prefer to put it ‘‘Love Contractually’’, one duo are more than willing to provide the financing.

However, the more time she spends with Kazim, the more Zoe reflects on her own, sometimes, disastrous dating decisions and the opportunities she might have let slip.

Not helped by her overbearing mother (a scene-stealing Emma Thompson) trying to set her up with the local vet and a ticking biological clock (‘‘I thought the whole point of egg freezing was I didn’t have to put all my eggs in one bastard,’’ she laments when exploring the process’ potential suitability for her), Zoe can’t help feel a tinge of jealousy when Kazim eventually reveals he’s met his prospective bride over the internet.

‘‘So it was love at first Skype,’’ she jokes to cover her angst, before he counters with: ‘‘Actually love at first sight is a mental health issue.’’

Now committed to capturing the match, Zoe joins Kazim, his family and her mother for the trip to Pakistan, where the betrothal is scheduled to take place.

Lahore law student Maymouna (Sajal Ali) seems lovely, but something about her demure demeanour and the age difference between her and Kazim sets off alarm bells for Zoe.

Could it just be her own misgivings clouding her perspective?

Director Shekah Kapur’s first feature film since the disappointing period drama sequel Elizabeth: The Golden Age a decade-and-a-half ago, What’s Love Got to Do With It? might follow the now well-worn Working Title rom-com template (that’s stood the test of time from Four Weddings and a Funeral to Yesterday), but there’s enough of a fresh feel to the characters and setting to make this a more than enjoyable night out.

Much of the credit for that should go to debutant screenwriter Jemima Khan (who was once most famous for being married to legendary Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan), who does a terrific job of comparing and contrasting the good and bad of modern romance and arranged marriages, as well as striking the right balance between moments of laugh-out-loud humour and scenes with more pathos. For me, it evoked memories of the hugely under-rated 1999 British dramedy East is East.

With James (Yesterday, Rebecca) and Latif generating fabulous chemistry and a smart ensemble of support players that also includes Halo’s Shabana Azmi and Hitmen’s Asim Chaudhry, What’s Love offers viewers an emotional roller-coaster and crowd-pleasing moments that few romcoms have been able to provide in the past few years.

What’s Love Got to Do with It? is screening nationwide.