Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT [Red Sea International Film Festival 2022 - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia]
The context of the romantic comedy floats in ideas of circumstances and perspective. With Shekhar Kapur's new film "What's Love Got To Do With It" which opened the Red Sea International Film Festival, the idea of cultural and traditional essence creeps in. The texture of the film follows Kaz (Shazad Latif) as he decides to heed his family's wishes and try to do an arranged marriage. His friend next door whom he grew up with Zoe (Lily James) wants to help her friend but also sees a set up for her to do a documentary on a new subject. The meta aspect of it has its moments but the heart of the film is in the right place. Emma Thompson plays Zoe's mom who seems to embrace everything Indian without really understanding what her very independent daughter wants or needs for that matter. They both need to get out of their own way.
Latif gets his romantic lead make-over after a very effective run in "Star Trek: Discovery" and a couple other indepedent features. His approach is sound and Kapur knows just how to conduct the proceedings (though a romantic comedy does seem a little bit light for Kapur). After "Pam & Tommy" it is interesting seeing James return to forlorn in a way since she has the poise of having the lightness while definitely showing more underneath. The film takes its path as it were but seems almost too comfortable in its delivery. While it wants to hark to something like "When Harry Met Sally" (which it name checks while still doing almost testimonial intersticials), it does have a resolution that works (though beware it is the first one that commands the screen while the second one is, in many ways, expected). That said "What's Love Got To Do With It" is an effective romantic comedy, not as dynamic or layered as "Ticket To Paradise" which was pretty great until the final landing was botched. "Love" sticks the landing but is simply effective in its delivery. B
By Tim Wassberg
