With Such Exotic, Electric Feelings, They "Can't Think Straight," in QFest Film
By Sherri Rase
photo courtesy of QFest
'I Can't Think Straight'
Shamim Sarif's film "I Can't Think Straight" (Britain 2008, 85 minutes) opens on the exotic prelude to Tala's (Lisa Ray) latest engagement party. She has a talent for meeting young men, encouraging them to ask her to marry, and then leaving them before they can get to the altar. Tala is a journalist from a very wealthy family and her family wants her to marry well. Rich and beautiful, Tala looks like an Arabic Angelina Jolie.
Leyla (Sheetal Sheth) is an aspiring writer, who works in her father's insurance firm. In a very short time, the viewer feels the weight of the expectations of both families, a fitting set-up for the tale. When Leyla's boyfriend, Ali (Rez Kempton) takes Leyla to meet his good friend Tala, he unwittingly sets a series of events in motion that has far reaching repercussions when Leyla and Tala and their worlds collide.
The moment they meet, there is a wee, almost electric current that passes between the cosmopolitan and worldly Tala and the somewhat more provincial Leyla. When Tala gives some much needed positive criticism about her writing, Leyla becomes even more confused about her feelings. But Leyla's new friendship is new in a number of ways-encouraging thoughts beyond what Leyla usually feels for other women, for one. When Tala and Leyla decide to take a few days in Oxford on holiday, confusion becomes fusion.
This film is visually beautiful scenically, as well in its casting. The somewhat world-weary and jaded Tala sees Oxford through Leyla's innocent eyes. And Tala's experience and sense of command is intoxicating to Leyla, who has always done what is expected of her. Then they begin to dance together and innocence becomes experience and the tiger is burning bright. Leyla knows what she wants, but Tala sacrifices Leyla's heart to her own family's expectations.
There is intense chemistry between Tala and Leyla. I found myself captivated by long lashes gracing cheeks, Leyla's lips, Tala's eyes and the majesties and tragedies of love. Movie kisses are sometimes just that, but these two women are talented actors and have connected with the pure energy of Tala and Leyla, exotic, erotic and evocative. Heartbreak is a refiner's fire that often spurs us to our greatest success in the shadow of some of our greatest tragedies. But believe in happy endings: they are out there.
QFest (www.phillycinema.org), Philadelphia's gay and lesbian film festival, presents the Philadelphia premiere showings of "I Can't Think Straight" on July 17 at 7 p.m. at the Ritz East, Theater One, at 125 South Second Street, and 19 at 2:30 p.m. at the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street.
