No. 8 (2023) WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? 1st Feb.

 

Film No. 8  (2023)  February 1st.  3:30 PM  EVENT CINEMAS,  Cine 3,   Innaloo. 

"I used to think I'd be scared of being with the wrong person. Now I'm frightened of being with the right person" (Zoe spills her muddled emotions to Kazim).

Working Title have established a reputation for quality film production in the same way Toyota has for producing quality, reliable vehicles. There are variances in the finish of some, but you can bank on the fact that boxes get ticked. What's Love Got To Do With It, their latest "fairy-tale", is no LOVE ACTUALLY, but it does pose some interesting questions about relationships in the 2020's. It also touches on an interesting concept; that  arranged marriage has been around since well before Apps.  

Lily James is Zoe, an award winning documentary film-maker with great,  girl-next-door (literally) charisma. Our beau is Kaz (Shazad Latif), a doctor and long time friend of, and next-door neighbour to Zoe. Very respectable, indeed. They make a great couple. James and Latif have chemistry, good chemistry; which is important for this franchise film! The trailer gives most of the cues to the storyline  and except for the slightly long but insightful segment set in Pakistan  and the silly scripting for Zoe's (Emma Thompson), skittish mum, it's a thoroughly enjoyable 110 mins. But let me reinforce, if you have bought a ticket to drink in another Emma T performance, then I think it will disappoint.

But hey, it's a romcom that follows that blueprint fastidiously. It's pretty. It's sharply scripted. It's polished and the stars are good (Emma does well with the tosh she has to speak). The trailer gives just enough away to attract the right crowd, and it's currently tallying $40m at the box-office. WHAT'S LOVE ticks the biggest box of all. All credit and a "shout out" to Jemima Khan, ex-wife  to celebrity cricketer and ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan, for her debut script.  

While cinemas continue their crawl back to the halcyon days of crowded foyers and over worked popcorn machines, Working Title makes yet another joyous contribution.  9GUMS.