I wanted to like this film, really I did. It sounded like Gurinder Chadha's Bend it Like Beckham could have been if the girls got together! A film focussing on British Asians (in this case Scottish), complicated family relations, cooking, throw in a bit of Bollywood and simmer.
Sadly this film lacks the energy and verve of Bend it Like Beckham. Indeed, the script is flabby, the acting stilted, and when even I, a casual movie goer, can spot the need for crisper direction and editing so you aren't watching someone sit still for 15 seconds, well, as I said, a poorly made film. The acting is universally unremarkable, and while the actors are Scottish I think, there are some very odd sounding accents. Are they trying to sound more Scottish or less? Whatever they do, it sounds weird. No idea what accent Art Malik is doing either. I thought that was Kulvinder Ghir from TVs Goodness Gracious Me doing a horrible Scottish accent as the host of the cooking show but he's not listed in IMDb. Was the kid who played the younger sister related to one of the producers? She couldn't act and was supposed to be an award winning Scottish dancer, but looked like she was about to fall over when tentatively hopping about in a kilt.. To sum up, nice set up and premise, attractive star, tasty looking food but limp, predictable script, flat acting and flaccid direction. A wasted opportunity.
Sadly this film lacks the energy and verve of Bend it Like Beckham. Indeed, the script is flabby, the acting stilted, and when even I, a casual movie goer, can spot the need for crisper direction and editing so you aren't watching someone sit still for 15 seconds, well, as I said, a poorly made film. The acting is universally unremarkable, and while the actors are Scottish I think, there are some very odd sounding accents. Are they trying to sound more Scottish or less? Whatever they do, it sounds weird. No idea what accent Art Malik is doing either. I thought that was Kulvinder Ghir from TVs Goodness Gracious Me doing a horrible Scottish accent as the host of the cooking show but he's not listed in IMDb. Was the kid who played the younger sister related to one of the producers? She couldn't act and was supposed to be an award winning Scottish dancer, but looked like she was about to fall over when tentatively hopping about in a kilt.. To sum up, nice set up and premise, attractive star, tasty looking food but limp, predictable script, flat acting and flaccid direction. A wasted opportunity.