A Fond Kiss (2004) User Reviews

The highs and lows of inter-racial relationships.

[tjkungfu · 7/10 · 5 August 2005]

My wife and I rented this movie because we are so fascinated by films that explore the various issues involved in inter-racial relationships. I am Chinese, and my wife Indian, and it was quite a tumultuous journey from the day we met to the day that we exchanged our wedding vows. Seeing movies like this always brings us a strong feeling of nostalgia.

A Fond Kiss is the love story between Casim, a young Pakistani man, and Roisin, a young Catholic woman, with the backdrop being modern day Scotland. Much of the plot revolve around the Casim's family dynamics, which is a rather modern Muslim household. We are not given much about Roisin's family, but the director gives us a rather bitter depiction of fundamental Catholic dogma. Despite the predictable problems that arise, the story is accompanied by a strong performance from the entire cast, and the use of common Hollywood love-story gimmicks are refreshingly absent from the plot.

I must note that the performance by Casim's father was especially moving for me; you want to judge him quickly for his hypocrisy and bigotry, but soon feel for his predicament. The antagonism he has for "love" marriages arise from his responsibility to love and protect his family, and his tribulations in the past have made him weary of foreigners. I am reminded of the problems I have had with my father-in-law; for the longest time I hated him so much, but only now I see that he's one of the most caring and loving individuals I have ever known, and any problems he gave me was simply his way of testing my devotion to what matters most to him, his daughter and family.

The ending scenes were also beautifully woven together. There are no ridiculous chase scenes or over-exaggerated dialogues. The people who ultimately decide their fates are themselves. It is Casim and Roisin who must determine what their destinies are, and this non-fatalistic scenario is often the case in real life. I know, from my culture as well as my wife's, that in many cases, marriages are arranged, and sometimes forced. Though I try not to make any judgements, I am glad that I live in a society where I still get to choose my partner in life.

Quite wonderful

[AKS-6 · 8/10 · 16 March 2005]

Ae Fond Kiss is Ken Loach's latest movie. It's a movie with that classic basic premise: a woman and a man from different cultures fall in love. Will their love survive what other people think and do? It's a premise we've seen a million times before. But that doesn't make Ae Fond Kiss a bad movie. No, quite the opposite: I think it's wonderful.

First of all, I think the script is amazing. While Casim's family probably is the biggest obstacle for the young couple to overcome, this is by no means a movie which portrays only the Moslems as the bad guys. Roisin's Catholic society isn't much better. This is one of the reasons why the movie is so engaging.

Another reason why I really liked this film is the fantastic performances by all the actors. Eva Birthistle is certainly the standout, but it would be unfair to name any other actor before the others. In short, it's a great cast.

Ae Fond Kiss is a well-played, sweet and very engaging movie. I liked it a lot. It's even a bit better than Loach's Sweet Sixteen. (8/10)

A truly British movie

[hiphop_huw · 7/10 · 26 October 2004]

"Ae Fond Kiss" embodies all and more that we are used to from director,Ken Loach. The film is entertaining and moving from start to finish and makes interesting and true social comment about the way we live. Loach approaches the subjects of religion, race, national identity and cultural differences in a way that is sensitive, gritty and real to the audience. "Ae Fond Kiss" does not shy away from the truth and attempts to deal with issues in a far more serious and believable way than such films as "Bend it Like Beckham". An enjoyable film, and one which should gain huge attention and recognition from the U.S. However, we shouldn't hold our breath as we know.

A Very Frank and Contemporary "Romeo and Juliet"

[noralee · 3 December 2004]

"Ae Fond Kiss" manages to find appealing freshness in a tale probably older than "Romeo and Juliet."

There have been many, many films that have dealt with the conflicts between young lovers from different ethnic or racial backgrounds and there's strengths and weaknesses in how director Ken Loach and his frequent collaborator writer Paul Laverty avoided some clichés while stridently emphasizing some others.

The fresh POV is that the young Glaswegian Muslim/Catholic couple is not naive teenagers experiencing love for the first time, conflating The Other with sexual discovery, but experienced 20-somethings who know perfectly well about the vagaries of relationships. He even expresses surprise that she had entered into her first marriage at the young age of 19.

In addition, this is the first such genre film I can think of where the one in the couple feeling the pull of traditional responsibilities is the guy; usually it's the girl who is drawn to assimilate by a handsome charmer. The gender switch provides an interesting dynamic that effectively shows how ethnic and racial tensions add to the simple interactions or the usual up and down strains that any new relationship goes through. For example, his seductive reaching out to her on an early date emphasizes his fascination with her wavy blonde hair.

While their relationship is allowed to grow gradually out of a mutual interest in music, they develop a frankly, deliciously sexual relationship, whereas most films in the genre gauzily avoid such aspects of interracial romance, going beyond "Mississippi Marsala." They verbally express their feelings for each other with gentle sparring use of epithets -- this is also the first film in the genre I can think of where despite everything they go through they do not declare "I love you."

Each has complexities and pressures in their personal lives that the relationship complicates. Some effort is made to present the Muslim family's viewpoint as coming out of a protective reflex against experienced bigotry from the violence of the Indian partition on. She points out she can't consider his parents as individuals who are other than bigots if he never lets her meet them.

While a younger sister is a conventional rebel (it's a risible cliché of this genre that she wants to be a writer), the older sister has accommodated herself to her cultural requirements in a way to be content in the contemporary world, but this leads her to be desperately pro-active against the couple.

Poignantly, communication across the divide is almost not possible, that slim reed called love may not conquer all, and there is genuine suspense as they split and reunite and split under the stress.

The lead actors are enormously appealing and believable, so we have great compassion for them. George Fenton's music helps to maintain the romantic atmosphere.

On the strident side, their meeting cute is by her breaking up a fight between his sister and racial taunters. The bigotry angle is hammered home culturally incongruously by displays of the notorious lynching postcards with "Strange Fruit" playing in the background.

The Scottish brogues are mostly comprehensible to American ears, though the specifics of some jocular exchanges are lost.

The cinematography well conveys gritty Glasgow.

Racism?

[stensson · 7/10 · 18 December 2004]

That word is of course relative. What is racism? Where goes the border between being incorporated in your culture and looking down on others? The question is relevant also for Muslims in Scotland.

Ken Loach is a passionate director watching everyday-life in a passionate way. You always get engaged in his people. You come to know them and feel for them.

In this film the catholic girl is the most abused part and the Muslim boy the one who has to struggle most against prejudice. The end is predictable, but the travel towards it exciting. The good powers win.

Ken Loach dares to criticize and understand at the same time.

Simple, honest, terrific storytelling

[anhedonia · 9/10 · 26 March 2005]

British filmmaker Ken Loach is a rare commodity. The man should be revered. He consistently makes superb films, movies that comment on important social issues. And he's never been tempted to go Hollywood.

He's appreciated in Europe, but he should be in the United States, too. I consider Loach and fellow Briton Mike Leigh to be the most socially conscious filmmakers working today. Just look at some of Loach's remarkable films - "Kes" (1969), "Riff-Raff" (1990), "Hidden Agenda" (1990), "Raining Stones" (1993), "Ladybird Ladybird" (1994), "Carla's Song" (1996) and "My Name is Joe" (1998). They may not all be masterworks, but they're more emotionally satisfying, funny and poignant than most Hollywood films.

It's a shame Hollywood doesn't have an equivalent to Loach or Leigh. We have the marvelous John Sayles, but he's alone and he, too, doesn't work in the Hollywood system.

In "A Fond Kiss," Loach and screenwriter Paul Laverty tackle the age-old conflict of star-crossed lovers. In this case, it's Casim Khan (Atta Yaqub), a second-generation Pakistani immigrant, and Irishwoman Roisin Hanlon (Eva Birthistle) in Glasgow, Scotland. Casim's a DJ with lofty plans to open his own club; Roisin's a music teacher at the Catholic school attended by Casim's sister, Tahara (Shabana Bakhsh). As expected, Casim's family made plans for him to marry a cousin. And he's caught between obligations to his family and his love for Roisin.

This might seem familiar. And it is. But what Loach and Laverty do is elevate their story to another level, stripping off any artifice and making it as sincere, human and believable as possible. Biracial couples, especially, will understand and appreciate the genuine storytelling. The movie's final scene is beautifully written and acted.

There's something deeply honest about Yaqub and Brithistle's performances. These aren't Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan pretending to be normal people. There's nothing artificially cute or movie-like about Casim and Roisin's romance and relationship. These are two people extremely comfortable with each other. Their conversations are frank; their problems are real; their anguish and joy ring completely true. Even their lovemaking has nothing artificial about it.

Yaqub wasn't a professional actor when Loach cast him. So Yaqub brings certain rawness to his role that's very welcome. But that also exposes his shortcomings. There are moments that require a bit more emotion from Yaqub, scenes that would play better if he were stronger. But he gets ample support from Birthistle. This really is her movie.

From the first moment we see her, Birthistle captivates us. Her reactions to everything that happens to her - from ecstasy with Casim to pain with his sister - there isn't one thing false about her performance. It's so easy for us to sympathize and empathize with her because she draws us in with a wonderfully subtle, nuanced and open performance.

There's also a superb cameo from Gerard Kelly as a sanctimonious priest.

We rarely get to see films such as "A Fond Kiss" in the U.S. Films that bravely tackle social issues, expose our prejudices and force us to think and understand other people and cultures. Loach's oeuvre includes one movie made in the U.S. - "Bread and Roses" (2000). He hasn't returned to make another one. Pity. Just imagine how much richer the American film industry would be if it had filmmakers of Loach's integrity and caliber.

good social drama - bad love story

[kathbloom · 6/10 · 26 January 2006]

I was impressed again by the freshness and ease with which another one of those astute British social dramatists displays the confusion, double standards and selfishness that interracial couples have to face mirrored against the ever outspoken lip service that they do not have to face anything, of course. But the movie fails to bring across credibly what eventually it is all about: a love story. Although, all dialog's and conflicts between the couple seem close to reality and modern, the couple fails to display true passion and that sort of romantic bond that would make the spectator believe they are doomed to go for each other. Roisin's acting is quite strong and subtly displaying all the weaknesses of the figure, but Casim's acting is rather flat and immature so she looks like a bulldozer falling for someone whose acted passion always seems a bit ridiculous. The movie does not manage to settle that imbalance so it really looks like a didactic play between a teacher and a boy.

A lovely film

[Juliette2005 · 9/10 · 10 August 2005]

I was taken to this film sort of against my will, I wanted to see something else, and from the first five minutes I knew I was watching something special. Not to give anything away, but this film has a political side that is not often seen in films in the states, but it's not 'heavy handed' about it at all- the political comes out of the family situations. The actors are all wonderful, particularly the woman lead, and I completely believed every situation they were in. The music was unobtrusive and the camera work felt more like a documentary than a film.

But overall I was left with a feeling of joy that there are still films that try to say something, that aren't based on comic books, and that have real concerns that people struggle with. Bravo to Ken Loach and co.

surprisingly different from the usual Loach

[antoniotierno · 7/10 · 27 February 2005]

I watched this movie expecting to be told about social problems, that is Ken Loach's typical film-making. On the contrary, this time the director manages to touch the audience on an emotional level, dealing with clashes between people coming from different countries. These conflicts are described as inevitable when parents are rooted to their native cultures and sons are influenced by western traditions and livings. The spectator is offered a slice of life that is absolutely simple and realistic. Finally, a remarkable peculiarity of this film is its having explicit sex scenes (maybe in Carla's song starring Robert Carlyle there was something like that).

Gritty, realistic, excellent

[slake09 · 8/10 · 10 February 2005]

Every romance film should be this way; the lovers bickering, throwing each other out of the apartment, taking shots at each other's families and generally not getting along in between periods of being so intensely in love that they forget everything but each other.

Sadly, most romance movies aren't like this at all.

Ae Fond Kiss, or Just a Kiss, is a gritty account of two blue-collar workers in love, one a Scottish girl and the other a product of an immigrant Pakistani family, all taking place in the not so glamorous city of Glasgow during the late 20th century. The Scottish girl is a music teacher at a Catholic school and meets the Pakistani boy when her guitar is broken during a racial incident. So far it follows much of the standard boy-meets-girl line. The romance takes off, they find they are getting along swell, and then the price comes due.

You can see it coming, the Muslim Pakistani family coming down on the boy for not going along with his arranged marriage, and him going on the outs with his family. But then the price comes due for his Scottish girlfriend, too, and that was a little harder to call. It comes down to both of them having to pay a price for their love, and the various tests of their willingness to do so. Even at the end, it was a bit uncertain, as such a romance would probably be. You can almost see them trying to decide if this is worth the trouble they are going through, or just a lust thing they will eventually get over.

The characters are likable, even when you don't agree with them. The father who doesn't want his son going out with a Catholic girl is not only likable, you can even see his point of view and the quandary he is in. The story line is believable, especially today, and the sub plots were intriguing.

I'm not normally much for romance films, unless there are a lot of naked chicks wobbling around, or the popcorn is really good, but I liked this movie quite a bit. Something in it appeals to even a die hard chick flick hater like me. It would make an excellent date movie, giving you something to discuss while providing that all important element of romance that leads to your hand sliding off the gear shift and squeezing her thigh while you make some pseudo-intellectual point about one of the various issues in the film.

There is no feel-good Hollywood ending here, it just sort of fades out, leaving you wondering what would happen with such a couple. Did they stay together? Did the boy reconcile with his family? But you don't feel cheated out of an ending, rather you are forced to confront how you, the viewer, would deal with the same or similar issues.

Difficult but great

[rps-2 · 7/10 · 15 February 2007]

Does multiculturalism really work. How much of an immigrant's original culture must be kept? How high are the barriers between racial groups? How do you impose the old ways on young people in a new country? Here is a Pakistani family living in Glasgow for many years. Even the father speaks with a thick Geordie accent. The family lives in a tidy middle class home like other Scots families. They run a typical neighbourhood shop. Yet even with all this, the old ways die hard. The father's rule is law. Marriages are arranged. Straying from custom brings shame upon the entire family. Think LaTraviata. So when this nice Muslim boy dumps his arranged bride to be and movers in with an Irish Catholic music teacher.... This is a vivid examination of an all too common problem in the UK (and, for that matter, here in Canada.)It's a fine film. However the Scots accents are so thick that I had to turn on the closed captioning to understand the dialogue. The sex scenes are a little too graphic. And >>>>>>>SPOILER HERE<<<<<<<<<< this was the last film I ever expected would have a simplistic "they all lived happily ever after" Hollywood ending. Until that point it had been a thoughtful examination of a complex and near insoluble social problem. I expect better of Europeans.

Masterpiece of social realism

[willyboy1973 · 10/10 · 11 May 2004]

I saw Loach's new work at the Berlin festival and was stunned. Usually, I'm not very much into his films as he gets a little to preachy for me at times. Still, I respect him for taking up subject matters other directors avoid nowadays - most of all British working class stories. "Ae fond kiss" to me is his masterpiece. It's the first film I've seen that really brings across all the complexities of intercultural relationships. It resists the temptation to judge or mock the conservative islamic family while making clear that its sympathies are with the bicultural couple. It doesn't give any easy answers but shows that sometimes you can only choose between bad and worse - but choose you must if you still want to be able to look at yourself in the mirror. A friend of mine is Afghan, and the film reminded me a lot of the problems she is going through, balancing between family tradition and Western culture. So if you're interested in a deep, aching but also hopeful look into the intercultural reality of our European societies, go and see "Ae fond kiss". Its Berlin awards are well deserved.

Uneven scripting

[arae-2 · 7/10 · 21 September 2004]

OK, this is a Romeo and Juliet update and the star-crossed lovers get the bulk of the attention. However, it opens with the younger sister in a school debate delivering the funniest line of the film. You think you're in Bend it like Beckham territory but the feisty Pakistani schoolgirl quickly takes a back seat. Her share of good lines rapidly declines. As the lovers' dilemma is played out, the supporting cast gets weaker.

This is a good film taking on some hard issues. The conflict between western values of individual freedom versus the eastern traditional family duties is well presented. Loach cleverly uses the illiberal catholic priest to show that religious rectitude is not the sole preserve of the Moslem's.

This is not the first British film to deal with love across the cultural divide but it is a good example of naturalistic film making.

Promising opening but disappointing overall

[kmd2uk2001 · 3/10 · 28 August 2004]

I really didn't like this film. I usually don't feel this strongly about films but I found it very difficult to sit all the way through this one.

I found the acting pretty 'rough around the edges', which was charming at first and gave the film a real-life quality, but became very noted, particularly with regard to the male lead. I found the plot badly structured (how many times did they fall out and then get back together?) I didn't think that there was any chemistry between the two leads at all and the script didn't allow for any development of their relationship. I found it difficult to work out why they were actually together, other than mutual sexual attraction. I could go on....

I thought that the film started extremely well - thoughtful, but with a lighthearted touch. Unfortunately it just didn't even come close to living up to the promising opening.

A measure of realness.

[Sinnerman · 27 August 2004]

The Mother. I shall devote most of this post just talking about her.

Nondescript during her first few appearances, she fits the bill of a stereotypical Asian immigrant mom. And thats about it. But to assume just that will also mean that we have not seen enough Ken Loach movies. For it takes but one stolen moment of familial conflict for the woman to sense her troubled son's pain. And like balm over raw open wounds, she unleashes her outbursts of maternal affection. Its easy to understand why the son breaks down there and then. I would too. A mother's intuition is uncanny. To see it approximated so closely on screen, this movie demands my gratitude.

I love the other characters in this great film too - the father, the son's two very different sisters, his best friend and even the white "outsider" love interest. Each character is so well defined, their inter-relationship dynamics so genuine and heartfelt, they deserve my devoting paragraphs each respectively just to shower my compliments. But I shan't do that. I will only be repeating myself.

Hence, this much I shall say; there's something in a Ken Loach film which gets to me each and everytime - the characters. More specifically, I am floored by their measures of realness. They are individuals guided by distinct codes of conduct. Their values explain their actions and exposes their strengths and frailties. Ultimately, these "real" people earn my empathy. There are no saints or sinners in Ken Loach's film universe. Instead, I see human beings relating with each other simply, truly, sometimes madly, but always deeply.

Ae Fond Kiss is one of the best films of the year. Check it.

A Clash of Cultures.....

[SumanShakya · 6/10 · 22 July 2014]

The subject of "Ae Fond Kiss...." is quite similar to "East Is East." Both the films deal with the Pakistani family residing in England and the tension arises between family values when the Asian lad from the family falls for the English girl. If you just compare the movies, "East Is East" stands strong in which the sons rebel against their father; but this aspect doesn't come very strongly in "Ae Fond Kiss." Besides the film also lacks the wit and charm of "East Is East." The biggest flaw of the film is its slow pace. However, the film deserves an attention for its story and performances. Despite the slow pace of the film, the story comes close to life with realistic characters. The cast isn't very known; but still few performances are quite appreciable. I haven't noticed them much in other movies, but the role of the Pakistani father and Roshuil pretty steal the show. Overall, the film doesn't make a very spectacular watch; but it's better than average.

Rating: 2 stars out of 4

You see why the UK has become so irreligious?

[lee_eisenberg · 8/10 · 9 June 2023]

Ken Loach has spent most of his career focusing on politically-charged issues in the United Kingdom: "Poor Cow" is about a woman on skid row, "Hidden Agenda" is about an assassination in Northern Ireland, and "Sweet Sixteen" is about a working-class teenager in Scotland.

This makes "Ae Fond Kiss..." an outlier. At the very least, it's the only one of Loach's movies that I've seen that focuses on a relationship. In this case, it's a Pakistani man and an Irish woman in Glasgow, and the challenges that their relationship faces from those around them. Seeing how the church treats the woman upon learning of her relationship with the man, it's no wonder that the British population has turned away from religion.

Just to keep a focus on political issues, the movie opens with the man's sister denouncing islamophobia and the invasion of Iraq (Loach called for hauling Bush and Blair off to the Hague). Of course, all these years later one could posit that things like the protagonists' relationship is what led so many ignorant people to support Brexit (the feeling that the "original" version of the country had gotten "taken" from them).

All in all, worth seeing.

Interesting but incomplete

[davidburndy · 6/10 · 3 June 2006]

Done with broad-strokes rather than the intimate details of true differences and huge challenges that go along this bridging of cultures. The intention is very well appreciated but the complexity of the Muslim culture seemed simplified. Most of the problems discussed were basic rather than substantial. The characters seemed to go on an auto pilot rather than the clarity that needs to exist for a fuller more in depth experience. Too much indicating and very little dimension. The filming style does not really have any impressive thinking behind it. It seemed as though everything was put together in the last minute. This fascinating subject should be the focus of a much better film that deals with the integrity of the problem honesty rather than trying to please everyone as was the intention of this film

For me, Ken Loach's best film.

[comfortablynumb2 · 8/10 · 11 October 2005]

I wasn't aware of this movie at all, not knowing anything of the story before I saw it on UK cable pay-per-view. The blurb was enough for me to want to watch it. I can relate to the main male lead as I too am a second generation British Asian of Pakistani parentage. I am not usually a fan of romance movies but it had Ken Loach among its credits so I decided to watch it...and I am so glad that I did. For the first time I saw an accurate portrayal of the duality of cultures and the pressures faced by young asians as their parents try to do what they think is best. I think the new male lead, Atta Yaqub, did a commendable job but for me the female lead and Casim's younger sister Tahara were truly excellent. I watched the movie with some friends from school, all of us British asians, and most of the stuff from the film was spot on. For example, when Casim asks Roisin to duck down as they drive past his cousins takeaway...I've done that too! I did think, though, that the portrayal of the Asian mother was a bit too clichéd and the father never came across too well either but other than that this was a real gem. For an accurate portrayal of what so many British Asian men and women have to contend with watch this film.

Accents on Non-Scottish Entertaining!

[GeoPierpont · 6/10 · 3 March 2015]

According to the facts presented in this film, I was completely unaware of how many died in the 1947 transition of India and Pakistan. According to the film "Ghandi" it was more rioting vs deaths. I imagine the same issues arose when Israel was formed and Palestinians were forced to migrate. However, I digress. But no, one more mention of a "Harry Potter" sequel and a beautiful Asian student with a Scottish accent. This was my first foray into visual vs audio conflict. The contrast is also illustrated here with a Pakistani Scottish brogue. It prepared me for more significant cultural contrasts in the film.

Roisin is a beautiful, talented, free-spirited vibrant young woman who is attracted to a handsome, kind, sensual Muslim man, already betrothed to another of his culture. I have experienced this type of relationship and to this day hope that the decision to live in the US will loosen the bigotry and scandal associated with such couples. How many children have moved substantial distances over the centuries to harvest new opportunities, happiness, adventure and parents accept this loss, albeit with immense grief. It is called letting go.

I appreciate that preservation of culture, religion and customs are ideal goals, but not to the detriment of cultivating hatred and isolation from all other people. The US may be viewed as a destroyer of these elements, however, the welcoming and warmth to diversity is a true strength of our country. Despite immigration issues that remain unsolved, I am proud of the attempts to assimilate those who desire to relocate here. How would they feel if we were to come to their country??

I was surprised at the resolve of the couple to remain together after the many attempts to demean their relationship and future. I would have given up after the many reminders of family destruction because they can no longer impress their friends. Who needs that shallowness that is integral to old country class infrastructure.

I relished the role of the Catholic priest who chastises Roisin in her personal choices given the current stigma of many priests' choices. I can not wait until women are given equal opportunity to rise up to the challenges within the Church!

I noted at end credits that there was a unit dedicated to Spain but I saw very little of that country and wanted to know where they escaped. I always look for the background shots in countries I have not visited and many times it is the star of the show. However the culture clash was the focus. The portrayal of both sides was heavily biased towards the Muslim culture but this is what I needed more than a review of mine.

High recommend for an attempt to comprehend the sacrifices made to relocate to a new country and the ensuing assimilation by children. The dialogue is hard to comprehend at times, hence suggest the closed caption option.

A love story that feels real

[hanabel · 8/10 · 6 May 2005]

Perusing OnDemand one day that I was sick, I came across this film and gave it a try. I am so glad that I did. It's not slick and polished at all, but the acting, the emotional tension, all feel very real. And it's just a wonderful love story for a change.

At times in this film their relationship seems impossible. It's frustrating and painful. Nobody magically comes around in some irritatingly saccharine way, but the resolution feels real and is happy.

Finally, I felt the chemistry between the two lead actors. The sex was erotic and real but did not feel gratuitous.

In Scotland, a Muslim Romeo meets his blonde, Catholic Juliet, with severe consequences

[inkblot11 · 6/10 · 1 November 2006]

Casim is the son of Pakistani immigrants in Glasgow. His life appears to be mapped out, as he is engaged and will marry the woman of his parents' arrangements. That is, until he meets Roisin. She is a gifted music teacher at the Catholic school his younger sister attends. Smitten from the first moments, it is Casim who offers his help in moving a grand piano from the home of her ex and into her new apartment. As he listens down below, she plays the piano beautifully. Whistling, he invites her to look down from her balcony (can we say R & J?) and promptly asks her for a date. It is a short trip into a romance. The two even sneak out on a holiday together in Spain. It is there Roisin learns the truth about Casim's future. She breaks it off. But, can they stay apart from one another? And, what will it mean to Casim and his family if he were to continue the romance? This is a touching story of two star crossed lovers indeed. To be in a romance with a non-Muslim is to be booted out of the family and to bring shame on all of the family members. Catholism, too, frowns on out of wedlock relationships. Yet, Casim and Roisin are drawn to each other. All of the actors are quite adequate and the setting is a glimpse at another world. However, there is a plethora of bad language in the script and the two principals never say the things they need to in order to make this a fairy tale romance. Therefore, all who love romantic dramas, beware. These are real people with plenty of foibles and the film has a gritty edge to it that takes the viewer far away from such films as Just Like Heaven. That said, it is still a lovely story about individuals who risk everything for those they love. There will always be an audience for tales of irresistible and clandestine romance.

A fantastic inter-racial family drama

[amsterdam · 9/10 · 8 November 2004]

Seeing Ken Loach's film at AFI Fest, I was positivelly surprised. A Fond Kiss is a very effective portrayal of a love story surviving the toughest social dilemma's. This film dealing with the inter-racial relationship between a Muslim pakistani young man and a catholic irish woman all set in Glasgow, Scotland, does an excellent job in giving insight in the family values of pakistani and Indian muslims in a predominantly catholic British environment. Dealing with generation gaps between parents and children, it also puts the Muslim beliefs in a slightly different limelight, where destiny is not so much determined by faith but by family principles. A great set up has the audience warm up to the film's characters very effectivally and engages us into the story right off the bat. The acting is powerful, and the theme never is 'preached' to us. The director does a fantastic job pulling us in to a world which might be far away from our own beliefs and lifestyles, but has us all look beyond the apparent differences to see the true value of love. The theme and characters might not speak to everyone, but undoubtfully it is a great piece of film making.

Love vs Culture

[richard-fieldhouse · 6/10 · 28 August 2018]

This is a film of love in a Glasgow cultural melting pot. With his Pakistani family long resident in the UK, Casim meets, and falls in love with his young sister's Irish Catholic music teacher. Both Muslim and Catholic tradition reject mixed marriages and relationships so the couple face grave obstacles to their happiness - starting with Casim's engagement to a cousin he hardly knows.

The couple themselves - Casim played by first-time actor Atta Yaqub and Roisin played by Eva Birthistle - feel comfortable in their roles most of the time as does Casim's younger sister Tahara (Shabana Bakhsh). Some of the other actors, many of whom were not professionals, don't seem so confident. In places the delivery is stilted and occasionally people fluff their lines.

Ken Loach, the director, is almost revered for crafting gritty Northern dramas and as such I wonder if some reviewers here haven't given him a bit of an easy ride. This kind of culture clash is difficult to depict and it shows bravery from Loach to attempt it. However, in places the dialogue doesn't feel natural and there are rough edges to the plot. The screenplay also depicts Casim as a bit spineless particularly in one family argument where he's oddly silent.

It's a moving film though, and the dilemmas are real. I'm not sure I found the resolution so convincing.

The worst Ken Loach movie I saw

[javillol · 4/10 · 24 February 2005]

I am a big fan of Ken Loach. Huge fan. That's why I disliked this movie so much. It has nothing of his touch.

The story is absolutely predictable (God! I even knew that he was not going to be able to get in the house after their first fight) and there is nothing new. It's a story we already saw many times, with an obvious script, fair performances and just OK story telling. It never moves you, it never shocks you, it never really does anything to you.

There is a Turkish/German movie that was shown during the Berlin Festival I think it is called "Against the wall" or something similar. Now, there is a movie! In Ae Fond Kiss there is no roar material like in "Sweet sixteen", the great performances of "Secrets and lies", not even the humor of "Riff Raff". There is a lot of plain nothing.

And the first scene! Please! Let's not make more political speeches to open a movie. Let's make political statements! Lots of them! But not in the form of pamphlets. Remember Land and Freedom? It's hard to believe that we are talking about the same director here...