Set in the UK, this story explores social and cultural themes, particularly that of arranged/assisted marriage in a light hearted way. The inference is that arranged marriages are not the product of love, but that love could eventually emerge from the union. Unfortunately at times, as in this movie, this social institution, fails.

If you are expecting to hear Tina Turner’s hit song “ What’s love got to do with it”, you’ll find no trace of it, as I found out.

The movie showcases the quest for love against the backdrop of reality and begins with us being introduced to two neighboring families, one native British and one an immigrant Pakistani family.

Kaz (Kazim) and Zoe are the protagonists who have grown up together and are best friends. Religious and cultural differences are embraced and celebrated as they were growing up, until Kaz, who was studying to become a doctor, navigates the process of an assisted marriage to a Pakistani bride in keeping with his parent’s wishes.

Zoe, a rising star in British filmmaking, puts forth a proposal to her studio bosses of a documentary titled ‘Love Contractually’, a creative amusing spin on the blockbuster ‘Love Actually’.

The movie provides an interesting perspective on how migrant families preserve their cultural heritage, their religious beliefs, their dress code, their food, family values and traditions whilst living in a predominantly Christian country ruled by one of the oldest Monarchies in the world. Their adopted country had somewhat changed their way of life, but they fiercely protected their heritage, their customs and traditions.

There is debate on how much migrant families can assimilate in their adopted country, if they are deeply connected to the culture and traditions of their birth country.

The Pakistani Muslim family believe in only marrying within their religion. The status conscious parents want their children to have the best education and to choose a profession that is deemed prestigious and honorable.

It is fascinating to see Kaz conceal from his parents the choices he has made growing up – smoke, drink and perhaps even have intimate relationships, all because they are taboo in his religion and culture and are contrary to his family’s values and beliefs.

He doesn’t break away openly and maintains a facade of adherence to cultural norms and religious mandates. The agony of the push and pull between freely being himself and hiding who he truly is, to please family and society, is palpable.

On the other hand, his neighbor and best friend, beautiful and bright Zoe, who’s mum Kath is a divorcée, and who has lived a liberal life, has not had to navigate the challenges, Kaz has to navigate. She has an honest albeit sometimes strained relationship with her mother, but is happy and successful.

Zoe’s mother like most, wants for her daughter to be successful, happy, get married and have a family of her own. Zoe’s mother Kath, is endearing and lives life with exuberance, embracing the colorful traditions and cultural events of her Pakistani neighbors. She never misses any music, dance, color and food filled Pakistani wedding. She wears colorful Pakistani outfits with great gusto.

Kaz’s mother is protective of her brood. She cares for her husband, mother, children and their partners. She is also the protector of cultural norms and religious beliefs. Her daughter Jamila, who stepped outside of the mandate to marry within their religion was disowned causing much sadness and resentment within the family and raising questions by a relative outsider, Zoe on the harshness of the fallout.

Kaz goes along with an assisted marriage to please his parents. The Khan family swing into action to find a bride for their son and find one in Lahore. The matchmaking scenes are hilarious. Mo, the matchmaker, had me cry laughing 😂! So much gets misunderstood by Kaz’s parents in the generational, language and cultural divide with the Kaz and Zoe doing everything possible to keep straight faces.

It was amusing to see how the Pakistani bride presented herself in the first zoom call – shy, quietly spoken, respectful, conservative. In reality, she was quite the opposite – criticizing the groom, his family and his friends for not being as western in their ways as she and her friends were. I know this to be true and widely prevalent from my lived experience i.e seeing my friends from school do and be the same. The reality was a far cry from the pressure they felt to keep up appearances.

Kaz was disappointed but committed to this union. Zoe filmed the pre wedding henna/mehndi ceremony night and the rukhsati. On the henna night, Maymouna, the ‘bride to be’ partook in the celebration with wild abandon, even smoking marijuana with some friends. I particularly loved the scene where Kaz and Zoe stumbled upon a Qawwali in full swing in one of the back alleys of Lahore after they left the henna night celebrations. Although my language skills don’t extend to Urdu, I was taken with the Qawwal’s soulful rendition.

The wedding reception was one big colorful party with Bollywood music, dances and bright colorful costumes and jewelry – such a feast for the eyes. I remembered witnessing similar colorful wedding street parties when the whole neighborhood danced, ate and made merry into the late hours of the night. It was theatrical and festive.

After the wedding, Zoe returned to London and completed the film. Kaz and Maymouna returned to London to embark on married life.

Zoe, started dating James, the veterinarian, who her mother looked upon favorably as a match for her daughter. Zoe went through the motions, not quite believing this person to be ‘the one’.

The screening of the premiere was attended by Zoe, her mother and the Khan family including Kaz and his new wife. Zoe was understandably, nervous. The Khan family were upset by the inclusion of an interview, Zoe had with their daughter Jamila who married a white Christian man. Kaz and his family showed their dissatisfaction after the screening.

On the same night, James observing Zoe’s rapport with Kaz before the movie’s screening, called it quits on their relationship, not prepared to be Zoe’s plan B.

The producers pulled the movie because they believed it only represented a white person’s views. Maymouna was the only one from the Khan family who told Zoe she loved it. It was clear that Maymouna who was struggling with her arranged marriage to Kaz, agreed that the widespread view that arranged unions worked, was not in agreeance. The union had by this time hit the skids and neither Kaz nor Maymouna could bridge the distance between them.

Zoe decided to travel to Turkey to take a break from the stress she was under. Her mother told her she was proud of her and that contrary to her belief, she did not judge her for her choices and world view. She told her that there was a difference between being independent and between being so independent that she would not let anyone in.

When a mother-daughter relationship is strained, it can be particularly challenging for a mother to show her headstrong daughter, support and yet give her sound advice. This was a particularly heartwarming and relatable scene.

The Khans invited Kath and Zoe for Eid celebrations. Zoe was reluctant to attended after the fallout from the movie, but went nonetheless. Kaz dropped a bombshell revelation that he and Maymouna had divorced. The family rallied around him. The highlight of the evening was a reunion orchestrated by Kaz, between his sister Jamila and his parents and grandma.

At this point Zoe left and made her way to the treehouse, which had hosted and bourne witness to Kaz’s secretive smoking and to special moments between Kaz and Zoe. Kaz found his way to the treehouse and he and Zoe confessed their feelings for each other, agreeing to take it slowly to see how things progressed. Having the opportunity to progress their friendship further, they were cautious having just experienced heartbreak with their respective ex-partners.

The movie ends on a positive hopeful note. Although an assisted marriage did not work out, Maymouna pursued her goal of becoming a human rights lawyer and may have got back together with the love of her life, and Kaz and Zoe make a decision to try.

In a modern western world, young people navigate the complexities of preserving ancient religious and cultural traditions simply to satisfy family, sacrificing their happiness in doing so. Increasingly though the younger generation are getting adept at staying true to themselves and chasing genuine connections, irrespective of the pressure to conform to outdated cultural and religious norms.

All photos accessed from IMDb.com