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What's Love Got to Do with It?
By Stefan Pape,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
British romcom celebrates cultural differences.
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's Love Got to Do with It?
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Based on 1 parent review
Great acting, easy to watch, just fine.
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What's the Story?
WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? is a story of two neighbors and best friends, Zoe (Lily James) and Kazim (Shazad Latif), and their differing approaches to relationships. Kazim has decided, of his own accord, to allow his parents to set him up with an assisted marriage. With a wedding in Pakistan on the horizon, Zoe is having romantic struggles herself, perhaps wishing she too could be set-up with someone. Just a shame that someone can't be her neighbor.
Is It Any Good?
This charming British film manages to be very true of its genre -- placed affectionately and comfortingly within the rules and conventions of romcoms -- yet at the same time feels unique and progressive. What's Love Got to Do with It? delivers more so on the romantic side than the comedy, although it still boasts a number of laughs. Much of the intended comedy appears to have been laid down for Emma Thompson who plays Cath, Zoe's mother. Unfortunately Cath just feels a little too contrived in places, clumsily making generalizations about her Pakistani neighbors in the name of humor.
Where writer Jemima Khan has more success is when crafting the roles of the family next door. Using her own experience and kinship toward Pakistan, the film takes a non-judgmental and respectful approach to British-Pakistani life, addressing how older traditions and values can sometime struggle to fit in the modern world. Meanwhile the performances are strong. James and Latif have good chemistry, deriving from their long-standing real-life friendship, and as with any film of this nature, without that chemistry the film falls flat -- so that's a great relief.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how What's Love Got to Do with It? explored cultural differences. Do you think it handled it well and sensitively? How did the characters compare to those you've seen in other Hollywood romcoms? Why does representation matter in kids' media?
Would you describe Zoe as a good role model? Why, or why not? What character strengths did she display?
How did the movie portray sex and relationships? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How were drinking, smoking, and drugs represented? Were there consequences for using them? Why does that matter? How have attitudes changed from when the film was set?
How did this movie compare to other romcoms you've seen? What's your favorite romantic comedy?
Movie Details
- In theaters: May 5, 2023
- On DVD or streaming: May 26, 2023
- Cast: Lily James , Shazad Latif , Emma Thompson
- Director: Shekhar Kapur
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Shout! Studios
- Genre: Romance
- Topics: Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- Run time: 108 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: strong language including a sexual reference, some suggestive material and brief drug material
- Last updated: June 10, 2023
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