What’s Love Got to Do with It (Review) – Kapur’s warm rom-com is effortlessly charming

What’s Love Got to Do with It arrives in cinemas nationwide on Friday, 24th February.

What’s Love Got to Do with It is a post-Valentine’s Day rom-com that will be gobbled up with delightful relish. It is a charming movie with amiable characters and cosmopolitan themes to boot. And while it may rely on a tried and tested formula, this will be of little concern to those looking for something rewarding, agreeable, and rewardingly agreeable.

Zoe (Lily James) is a documentary filmmaker and workaholic who is fed up with the shallow nature of the contemporary dating scene. As such, she is surprised when her childhood friend and neighbour Kaz (Shazad Latif) announces that he is following his family’s Pakistani roots by having an arranged marriage. Seeing an opportunity to explore themes of modern-day dating, Zoe gets the permission of Kaz and his family to document the events leading up to Kaz’s wedding. However, Zoe is less prepared for the feelings it stirs along the way, as she questions what she wants out of life.

The premise of What’s Love Got to Do with It takes loose inspiration from the rom-com legend, When Harry Met Sally, and even references the film. But rather than pitching the question, can men and women ever be friends, director Shekhar Kapur and writer Jemima Khan are more interested in the grey areas where modernity, tradition, and Eastern and Western values meet. Movies such as Lulu Wang’s The Farewell do this skillfully, and What’s Love Got to Do with It follows suit by exploring how the pressures of finding love and belonging are not isolated to one community.

Rom-coms like this recognise that whatever our identities, backgrounds or beliefs, most of us look for love in one shape or another. Although modern dating practices have highlighted just how difficult this can be, it is a struggle that transcends time and culture. Here Kapur’s film may maintain an upbeat tone and look. But it also captures the anxiety and awkwardness of dating, social and familial expectations and the personal drive to find happiness. Zoe has two wee nieces and is often asked to recite fairytales to them. But Zoe gives these tales her own unique spin, highlighting how their messages can be a damper to those who have not or do not wish to find the one.

While transnational by nature, the film still highlights the differences in expectations between cultures, even if their struggles for love are similar. Kaz tells Zoe that even though they are neighbours, there is a continent between their houses. It’s a great metaphor to convey the difference between Kaz’s traditional roots and Zoe’s more modern actions and the advantages and disadvantages of both. It highlights the cultural differences between them wonderfully while still showing how emptiness is a universal feeling, which the cinematography portrays through its wide shots representing loneliness and close-ups exploring intimacy.

Carrying the emotional weight of this material are the terrific performances of its cast. Lily James is often the highlight of whatever she’s in and is again here. Zoe is a layered, flawed, and empathetic character who claims to be independent but, deep down, is insecure. Her occupation as a documentarist is fascinating – as if she is trying to live through her subjects. James brings Zoe to life with an articulate sincerity and confidence that masks the character’s fears.

Meanwhile, Latif also dazzles by exploring his character’s internal juggling of want and insecurity in a similar yet different way to Zoe. Then we have Emma Thompson as Zoe’s mother, Cath, who is, as always, a delight to watch. Thomson chews the scenery for much of the picture yet is able to deliver the emotional gut punches when required, and it’s clear she is having a blast with her role.

The result is an upbeat film that does what it sets out to do by effortlessly charming its audience with its warmth. Admittedly, the film’s narrative structure is very formulaic, making it a predictable movie that ticks many boxes. However, its heartfelt themes and well-intentioned aims make it easy to wave these faults off and enjoy the film for what it is – a familiar but sincere and superbly acted rom-com that speaks to today’s diverse audiences. Those gravitating to the genre will have a ball with What’s Love Got to Do with It.