Leyla is well done as more reserved and laid back but Tala is too forward and rushed, making everything happen suddenly without any indication that either of the two women are having any sort of inner though process at all. While some of the scenes between Tala and Leyla are touching and intimate, some of them have all the subtly and realism of set-up dialogue in a p0rn film. The film is very short and this combines with some awful dialogue to make everything feel very superficial. However, none of this is enough to make it as good as it could have been, mainly because of the problems with the material. It also, having an autobiographical content, comes over as warmly sympathetic to the two protagonists – a feeling that it easily allows the viewer to share. From the outset there is certainly a degree of charm that comes with the rather glossy sheen on the total production and certainly the performances are mostly geared towards "light" material rather than anything too complex. While I'm sure that the vast majority of male viewers of this film will have come to it because of how easy on the eye the two lead actresses are, but for me I came to it because I had heard that it was a quite charming little film about culture clashes and coming out. but on the whole, it makes little difference to the story. Some of the minor character's acting is quite poor and does not do justice to the script. The acting from the main characters is spot on and they must have received clear direction from Shamim Sarif. This is an especially elegant scene but the whole film screams decoration and harmony. Particularly I found, when the characters of Lisa Ray and Sheetal Sheth go for their ramble in the park. The movie is full of alluring cinematography and well constructed dialogue. But what about if the daughter is gay? Much harder to imagine I feel, and 'I Can't Think Straight' portrays this matter very well. (Or at least this is how it has been portrayed to me in the film). All because the mother of the family wanting to marry off their daughter wants to gain some financial security and prestige for the family. Usually the man who comes from the most prestigious family, who is very successful, tall, very hansom, etc. Arranged marriages and a mother who is wanting to marry you off to the most suitable husband. It raises the issue of lesbianism but in the context of Indian culture. I enjoyed 'I Can't Think Straight' (which i think is a very clever title indeed given the content of the film). It's PG-13, so there won't be any nudity, just kissing and touching. You knew how it was going to end, but the journey was a real pleasure. When she does, the maid (Nina Wadia) does a little dance, as the mother treats her so badly that she spits in her antacid when she brings it. The family is used to her changing her mind at the last minute. Tala calls off, what is it her 5th, wedding, but does not immediately tell why. Her mother flips out, but her father is extremely supportive. Not only do we get a film about becoming aware of one's sexual identity, but one about Arabs and Jews, Christians and Muslims, and, most importantly, family and acceptance. They are both accomplished actresses, but they are also very attractive. Clearly, the casting of the leads is meant to appeal to audiences that wouldn't normally watch a lesbian film, even one that is billed as a romantic comedy. She plays an Indian Muslim who also lives in London. She meets Leyla, played by Sheetal Sheth, the first Indian-American actress to appear in Maxim. "synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.The absolutely gorgeous Indian actress Lisa Ray (Vancouver critics named her Best Actress for Water) plays Tala, an upper class Jordanian of Palestinian origin, whose family lives in London, and who is about to get married. But Tala is not ready to accept the implications of the choice her heart has made for her and escapes back to Jordan, while Leyla tries to move on with her new-found life, to the shock of her tradition-loving parents.As Tala's wedding day approaches, simmering tensions come to boiling point and the pressure mounts for Tala to be true to herself.Moving between the vast enclaves of Middle Eastern high society and the stunning backdrop of London's West End, I Can't Think Straight explores the clashes between East and West, love and marriage, conventions and individuality, creating a humorous and tender story of unexpected love and unusual freedoms. Tala, a London-based Palestinian, is preparing for her elaborate Middle Eastern wedding when she meets Leyla, a young British Indian woman who is dating her best friend.Spirited Christian Tala and shy Muslim Leyla could not be more different from each other, but the attraction is immediate and goes deeper than friendship.
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