User reviews

I'm not really the kind of guy to watch rom cons and only went cause of my missus and it was our anniversary so

Nevertheless I found myself highly entertained throughout this film . As a Pakistani man who had an "assisted " marriage myself I could relate to the main character and the cultural nuances depicted and thought it was well depicted .

I have had an issue with how Pakistanis have historically been portrayed in film but thankfully movies such as this and "The Big Sick" capture the dynamics right - and it is frankly refreshing to see a Pakistani lead with a semblance of personality rather than him/her being relegated to terrorist villain or supporting character for the normally white lead

It is entertaining film that does raise important questions about relationships and marriage not just in an Eastern Pakistani context but also as viewed through more of a Western lens ( as is seen by Lily Janes story arc ) .

The two leads - Shahzad Latif and Lily James have refreshingly good chemistry and the powerhouse that she is Emma Thompson brings good hearted humor to the screen

I see a lot of the reviews by Pakistanis bombing this film citing this film as "discrediting Pakistanis " or "against Pakistanis " just cause there were a few depictions of Pakistanis drinking . Come off it honestly ! This depiction is tame to what a lot of Pakistanis in the home country and abroad do and we need to stop this obsession of "being squeaky clean " . Please - were just as human as everyone else and this film shows a good depiction of that.

After an uneven, stilted start, WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT settles into an enjoyable rom-com. It follows the story of two childhood friends, now in their thirties, who must decide whether to follow their heads or their hearts when one of them decides to go through with an arranged marriage back home in Pakistan.

The movie has a light-hearted feel and emphasises finding your own identity and truth rather than conforming to external expectations. The characters are well-fleshed out and likable enough to make us cheer them on for their happy ending. The cast delivers a charming and honest performance, while the soundtrack further adds to the movie's light-hearted tone.

Emma Thompson (who plays Cath) shines in her role and provides a strong emotional core to the movie. Lily James (who plays Zoe) also gives us a strong performance and her chemistry with Thompson is palpable. The supporting characters add to the movie's charm, but they don't detract from the main characters' story.

There are three things about WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT that I particularly liked. First, the glimpses into Pakistani culture, which is fascinating and enlightening. Second, the movie doesn't shy away from the tough questions that come with arranged marriage. It confronts them head-on so that we can better understand why such decisions are taken. Lastly, there's an element of feminism in the movie and it highlights how women don't have to live by the rules set for them by society. The feminist elements are, in part, beautifully presented as revisions of fairy tales as Zoe tells stories to the children she sometimes babysits.

WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT is a sweet rom-com with lots of heart and soul. It offers an interesting take on arranged marriage, Pakistani culture, and the choices we make when our heads and hearts are at odds with each other. The movie is full of charm, wit and positive messages that will certainly leave you feeling uplifted.

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.

What's Love Got to Do with It? Doesn't completely commit to its central idea of a more nuanced and balanced exploration of assisted marriages but it remains a really good romantic comedy that has a little more unpredictability than the average rom com and boasts an enjoyably heartwarming story.

Lily James and Shazad Latif are real life, longtime friends and that really comes across in their on screen chemistry which is very palpable. Emma Thompson has way more screen time than expected and is a definite scene stealer with a constant stream of jokes that always land.

Shekhar Kapur's direction is really good, especially with the tone which starts of as something broader in its humour (which works) and then gradually scaling that humour back as it gets surprisingly emotional and sincere by the end.

If you remember "Last Christmas" (2019) then you will have a rough idea of what to expect here with this rather formulaic, if colourful, drama. It all centres around a film being made by "Zoe" (Lily James) about the forthcoming "assisted" marriage of her lifelong friend "Kaz" (Shazad Latif). Her mother "Cath" (Dame Emma Thompson) lives next door to his family and so is relishing the family trip to Pakistan for the traditional wedding. "Zoe" is (as, I suspect, are we) pretty sceptical of the whole arrangement - getting married to someone you've only met on Skype, but proceed we do through a lively ceremony that allows Dame Emma to don her sari and dance for all she is worth (gin-fuelled!) whilst the predictable love triangle melodrama slowly, but predictably, plays out. It all comes to an head when they have returned home and she shows her film to all concerned and, just like this, it receives mixed and divisive reviews. I found this all very twee, middle class and vaguely judgmental which after a while I felt rather defeated the purpose in the first place. It is pretty clear from the start what is going to happen, and although the route to that conclusion isn't exactly a straight line, this leaves very little room for jeopardy to a plot you can see from Mars. Latif has a degree of charm to him, and some of the scenes with Lily James are quite engaging in a cheesy sort of way, but for the most part this is eminently forgettable fayre that will do fine on telly at Christmas.

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.

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.

I absolutely loved this movie so thoughtfully written and produced by Jemima Khan . My friend and I left the showing with a broad smile on our face and in these times of hardship that I is a rare thing. The movie was beautifully cast and the cross cultural element of the movie was sensitively handled by the Director . Some of the Asian characters reminded me of my own family specially the grandmother. I am in a cross cultural marriage my wife being Yorkshire lass so the story line resonated with my own story and I love my wife to see it. This is a movie I highly recommend you will leave the cinema happy promise!

The film had some lovely themes and moments but was not the "laugh out loud funny" that the professional reviews suggested. It fit the desciption of a rom-com on paper but delivered with more emphasis on the rom than any real comedy. Having the different cultural perspectives was the only part that stopped the plot from being one we have seen many times before.

The cast were not taxed with difficult dramatic acting and no one character stood out to me as a star. They all played their part in bringing together the light plot.

I found it to be a slow burn thoughtful view on marriage and what makes a marriage work in today's society. It was a good weekend afternoon watch but not a movie I would return to.

Shekhar KAPUR, who shot the two ELIZABETH films with Cate BLANCHETT, is once again presenting a new film.

A London documentary filmmaker (Lily JAMES) is stunned when she learns that her neighborhood Pakistani treehouse boyfriend (Shazad LATIF) wants to enter into an arranged marriage. She persuades him to make a documentary out of his search for a bride. The wedding with a beautiful woman (Sajal ALY) is coming up soon in Lahore...

Seen often and not really dramatic: Western courtship behavior in the style of Tinder collides with traditional Pakistani-style matchmaking. How does that turn out? This will probably soon become apparent to cinema-goers. There are also dance performances in the style of Bollywood, but they don't come close to the original.

The typifications of the characters are well done. This is occasionally quite funny, albeit clichéd. Oliver CHRIS as a veterinarian and the entire family of Pakistani origin are definitely convincing. Grandiose as always is ACADEMY AWARD winner Emma THOMPSON (awarded in 1993 for HOWARD's END and in 1996 for SENSE AND SENSIBILITY) as the documentary filmmaker's mother. She plays just great, but her character is also particularly annoying. The cliché of a socially active "do-gooder" that you can only endure because it is "performed" by OSCAR winner Emma THOMPSON!

You can watch it, but it's no loss if you miss the film!

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.

'What's Love Got to Do with It?' is a bit of an odd film. It is simultaneously rather unique and intriguing, yet also quite formulaic and cliche. The result is an enjoyable romcom, but one that misses it's opportunity to really stand out.

Like any good romcom, it needs a couple of strong leads. Lily James is always brilliant, bringing charm to any role that she takes to, so it is no surprise that she is the highlight of this film. Shazad Latif was unknown to me before this film, but he is clearly a talent too. He also brought a great amount of charm to the role and as leads go, both James and Latif anchor the film very nicely. Supporting roles are mostly well filled but there aren't any performances to particularly shout about.

In terms of the story, this is where things get a bit mixed. I loved the angle it was originally taking. It felt quite fresh and intriguing. It offered some great insights into different cultural views on love and marriage. The humour is actually very good, with lots of great laugh out loud moments. But ultimately I felt let down as the film surrenders to romcom cliches and tropes and come the end the lasting impression isn't anything special.

Don't get me wrong, this is a very enjoyable film, and probably one of the funniest romcoms I've seen in a good while. I do think there was an opportunity missed to create something really unique and special, but it is a very enjoyable film regardless.

Being myself a Pakistani, i feel like this film could have been better. The cultural representation in this film is good but not as good as it could have been. Some downfalls of this film is that it lacks the vibrant culture, it needs more festival representation in the film, rn the movie only focuses on the main roles while the culture is like a side story. If they could represent the culture as a bit more versatile, i think this film could have been better. One thing that i think would have made a huge impact was if the role of Kaz was played by the Pakistani actor Fawad Khan instead. Overall, the film is good. Would recommend. The roles played by Lily James, Emma Thompson and Sajal Ali were so good.

Story was good but some flaws were there.

Pakistani & British culture was deifned in particular way with lot of missing elements.

Some shots were unnecessary specially when grand mother have seen someone from the door & at the very other scene she was looking at the window without knowing anything.

She said some phrases throughout the film very abruptly.

Sajal's acting was not up to the mark specially in expressions side.

May be it's a part of character to be expressionless but she failed.

For me story was incomplete, not on track & confused till the last moment.

It's a slow paced movie & yes end could be more better.

I really enjoyed this movie. It comes under the heading of intelligent romantic comedy, a rare category indeed. It is sumptuously filmed, the colours are beautiful, particularly during the trip to Lahore. The movie considers what is important in a marriage, the weighting of love against family commitment. Emma Thompsons role isn't huge, but adds a lot of comedy. My usual gauge with a movie is whether it would hold up to a second viewing band I personally will see it again. The critics may not think much of it, but I think the moviegoers are going to love it, I think it will be in the cinemas for a while.

Very much a typcial 'Working Title' (the studio who brought you Love Actually' and 'The Boat The Rocked...') romantic comedy.

This is the sort of film that a few moments in you can predict much of what is going to happen, but it's played out with such charm from all involved, that you almost forgive this and go along for the ride.

With some nice social messages too, this is a nice film, partly because those messages aren't shoved down your neck.

I wasn't sure about Lily James in the lead role, and perhaps wondered whether someone like Emilia Clarke would have been better, but to her credit, James makes a rather 2D character on paper work well.

Emma Thompson seems to have found a new career, popping up as weird mothers of lead female characters in romantic comedies, but is good value here.

Overall, I enjoyed this film far more than I thought I would.

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.

This movie is written so beautifully that it effortlessly captures every sentiment in a magical way.

The movie has a natural flow, which is depicted in every scene as it leads the story seamlessly towards a thoughtful ending.

The movie is a masterpiece of heartfelt experience. The narrative is close to home, where it highlights that love has no barrier. It shows the difficulty of living in a Western world but remaining faithful to Pakistani roots and yet, the struggle of Eastern world trying to embrace the Western culture.

The best part is, for once in forever ago, Pakistan is represented in a positive and fun light. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for this magical movie.

This movie is a must watch and I will most definitely be watching this movie again with family and friends.

Thank you to the entire team of What's Love Got to Do with It?

Largely underwhelming, even if 'What's Love Got to Do with It?' holds a few redeeming qualities.

It's all competently shot and all that, the music for example is excellent - nice work, Nitin Sawhney & Co. The level of acting is also all good, though I wouldn't say there is necessarily anyone that stands out individually. On that note, Emma Thompson: As usual I like her, but her character isn't the best - I feel like I've seen her play the same (similar, at best) character one or two times before recently-ish, 'Last Christmas' for example. She's merits more to work with.

The story is one that is almost as old as time, like with the aforementioned I feel like I've seen this plot play out many a time. It has a couple of unique elements I guess, but overall it's pretty derivative. I'm also not sold on Lily James' Zoe being 'Player 1', so to speak... like, her character is fairly meh.

In fact, I'd go as far to say that Mariam Haque's Jamila should've been the film's key - that part of the story interested me the most of anything else portrayed onscreen. Haque and Michael Marcus's portion only features relatively smally, so I kinda wish they used them two instead as their bits are the most touching.

All in all, it's fine - but is too mundane and predictable to be definitively enjoyable, in my opinion of course.

Sadly just too predictable throughout.

A lovely idea, a good cast, a clever script with a few wordy funny quips, emotive too but we have all been here before.

A tale of two halves beginning amusingly as a typically cultural British Comedy (east is east / bend it like Beckham / bhahji on the beach) whilst the ending after a whirlwind tour to Pakistan, transported us back into Love Actually as Keira Knightly rewatches her best man's amateur wedding video.

It didn't gel and I found some of the editing to be clumsy. Finding out who the bride to be's real love interest was, might have been a favourable twist?

The final scene was drawn out and everyone had already worked it all out. Disappointing.

Billed as a romcom, 'What's Love...' is an interesting little movie, from a social commentary point of view. It may, hopefully, represent a turning point in the zeitgeist - as it gently mocks, rather than indulges many woke attitudes and, consciously or inadvertently reintroduces some rather conservative and old-fashioned liberal ideas and presents a reasonably balanced, if highly glamourised, view of multi-cultural Britain.

As for the entertainment value, it's bright, colourful, features a decent cast, has some splatterings of gentle humour and ticks most of the boxes for a romcom. I don't think it's a classic. In many ways it's obsession with self-identity undermines the central pretext of a romcom - we never quite escape the feeling these are all atomised individuals with the romance simply papering over the cracks - but romcoms have a tendency to heavily reflect the age they are made in. Whether this one ages well remains to be seen.

The basic story arc is entirely predictable, but this is a genre known for that.

Lily James, plays Zoe a successful filmmaker and 'independent young woman' but with definite emotional insecurities. Feeling constant pressure from her, somewhat overbearing mother, played by Emma Thompson, and also the sense of a biological clock ticking down - she begins to question her dating methods and search for the 'ideal man'.

Meanwhile, Zoe's neighbours, a Muslim family of Pakistani heritage, include her childhood friend Kazim, who suddenly announces he is going to pursue an arranged marriage, with the assistance of his family.

This is an interesting subject for a romcom, allowing exploration of the broad differences between contemporary dating in the liberalised West and a more traditional religious approach. This is neatly sewn into the narrative as Zoe suggests filming the proceedings for an investigative documentary.

I didn't find the comedy aspect convincing, Emma Thompson is possibly the worst thing in the movie - despite being a capable actress, she just isn't great in this type of role and comes across as a patronising caricature for much of the film.

I think she was intended to be the light relief, but I found her performance a bit toe-curling.

Shazid Latif was very good and likeable for the most part (bar a cringey diatribe about feeling 'Brit-ish' - which sounded straight out of the Critical Social Justice playbook and was out of character - Zoe and Kazim have been friends all their lives, yet this topic has never previously been raised?).

The film is not afraid to portray the ethnocentric smallmindedness of some of the older generation of British Pakistanis - here Kazim's mother and father stipulate that a potential bride must be of a certain lightness of skin colour and of the 'correct ethnic origin', and Kazim's grandmother comments on the skin colour of a mixed-race baby.

Meanwhile, Zoe's employers a couple of young entrepreneur types are gently mocked for their blatant hypocrisy and virtue signalling with the 'diversity' message.

A significant scene revolves around freezing eggs for women who aren't ready for motherhood. Here Zoe's rather naive presumptions come into contact with the reality. It seems the filmakers are questioning some of the potentially misleading messages that young women may have received ('you can 'have it all' to order').

The film also features a running 'joke' where Zoe reads traditional fairy stories to a couple of younger girls - she changes and adapts them to fit a 'feminist' spin - they are strikingly close to what Disney has been producing in recent years (see their forthcoming deconstruction of the Snow White story) - but the narrative unwinds to reveal the potential problems inherent in such a worldview.

'The princess doesn't need a prince, she's perfectly happy without one...' Or is she?