‘What’s love got to do with it?’ movie review: Deliciously diverse

Love isn’t always as it seems. In spite of romantic comedies and fairy-tale endings, there isn’t one way to find it. Director Shekar Kapur takes us on a journey of love through cross-cultural norms, childhood relationships and romantic traditions.

Zoe (Lily James) and Kaz (Shazad Latif) are childhood friends. Although they are neighbours, their worlds could not be further apart. When Kaz agrees to allow Zoe to film his personal journey through a traditional wedding, she realises that their opposing romantic cultures may not be so different.

Zoe’s idea of traditional romance is found through the (un)helpful meddling of her mother (Emma Thompson) whose worry for her daughter’s relationship status is concerning in the modern world, yet, ironically funny.

Kaz’s romantic plans involve the help of an upbeat guru (Asim Chaudry) and the religious preference of his family.

Jemima Khan’s screenplay creates a comedic atmosphere during the film and the protagonist gets a sneak peek inside the world of arranged marriages and an opposite approach to romance through the work of her documentary filming.

It’s a juxtaposition of two people who live very different lives but find similarities in each other.

The movie is heart-warming yet touches on emotional themes of shame, loneliness and cultural differences.

Deeper themes in the film are lightened by witty one-liners and the visual experience of a traditional Indian wedding party (and a glorious scene of clumsy dance moves from Emma Thompson).

The chemistry between James and Latif is palpable which makes for an interestingly sweet romance onscreen, while the audience is shown how different cultures are explored and how love can be expressed in many different ways.

A deliciously diverse and modern take on the well known fairy-tale of love at first sight.

In cinemas now.