Merolliv
I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.
Teddie Blake
The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
Brennan Camacho
Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.
Matylda Swan
It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.
vickicook
Love + hate really blows you as the audience away with its strong language, views on racism and complete realism. It gives an insight of how certain societies in England do have struggles with racism especially between whites and Asians. The acting may appear weak at the beginning but the whole film had no script so is fully improvised which makes the film appear more of a documentary rather than just a film so the feelings and opinions of the characters appear a lot stronger than they would if the film was scripted. The racism within the whole film reminds me of a modern romeo and Juliet only it isn't between two families it's between two races that the characters in the film believe shouldn't be together. The opinions and actions are strong and can be upsetting to certain viewers. Although I believe the age rating should be taken seriously in this particular film because of the strong racist opinions are very convincing and could easily influence younger minds to take sides with one of the characters opinions. Overall I think the film makes you realise that there is a problem with racism in Britain and hopefully those who watch the film should make sure they don't get involved rather than believing in what the characters are up to.
ikanboy
The movie wears it's message on it's sleeve. It's about racism in England. No, not Black v. White, but Brown v. White. A Pakistani British girl gets a job in a wallpaper store. There she is welcomed by all but the boy to whom she is assigned to as a trainee. He is surly, largely mute, and it's clear he hates "Pakis." In the mean time we are introduced to an older Pakistani male who works at a factory and has to contend with the racial digs of his fellows. One man, a manager, hesitantly engages him in talk, but he shows his prejudices with his ignorance of the other man's culture. The message is clear: If you are a Brit, then there is only one cultural standard and that is working class neanderthalism.Soon enough we see the people are linked. The girl is the sister of the Pakistani man, and his strictures to her are clear: don't date "Goras(?)", i.e. local Brits. It is also clear that these rules apply to her but not to him.The girl befriends another girl at work, who is clearly out for wanton pleasure. This friend turns out to be the daughter of the man who is the manager of the Pakistani male. When the girls are seen walking home by the Pakistani male he chides her for "hanging out" with the wrong sort.So far so good. Is the movie going to show us the British working class ethnocentrism, and amorality, clashing with a more rigid, religious imported culture? Yes, but it's also going to show us the hypocrisy and male chauvinism of the Pakistani male.To complete the circle and connect all the characters the Pakistani male picks up the friend of his sister. This is done in a manner highly parallel to picking up a whore; she sits on a bench with a friend, all tarted up, and they get into the car of whomever that drives by. The Pakistani male is right: she is the wrong sort, but she's the sort that turns him on, and to his chagrin he eventually falls for her.In the mean time we see more into the reasons for the Pakistani girls being ignored by the boy at work. His brother and mother are proud racists. The brother makes it clear that "shagging" a "Paki" would be grounds for expulsion from the "white" race, and his mother hates them because she blames them for having more entrepreneurial skill than she does.It is therefore inevitable that he will make a pass at the Pakistani girl, if only to taste forbidden fruit.Having set us up, it is now only a question of how the movie will bring all these inevitable collisions together, and whether anyone will walk away from the smoke! Collisions do occur, and people get beaten up, but the young couple, now deeply in love, cast off away from their families, in search of a more tolerant lifestyle. Nothing is said of the inevitable cultural and religious clashes ahead of them when the love glow ebbs, but at least they don't end up committing suicide! The message is clear: love wins out from intolerance and familial dark holes! It's a nice message if an overly optimistic and unrealistic one.
heywood_jablomey
I saw this about 2 years ago at a preview screening in Pinewood Studios, not knowing what to expect, I was totally gobsmacked. As a pakistani Muslim myself I saw comparisons to Ae fond Kiss but they were dismissed within half an hour, this makes Ae fond kiss look like a bollywood production. The raw, real nature of how that community acts back home was so real that it was almost uncomfortable watching it. Very rarely can a movie capture a moment in time that surpasses the realm of celluloid. Watching the interactions with the brother and his issues really struck home, there were moments where I was in tears. I couldn't control myself. Also, in terms of photography it was top notch. Perhaps on the greatest films of 2005/2006. Would recommend everyone to watch.The only let down was at the end of the preview screening when the people asking for feedback from the movie did not ask the only 2 pakistanis in the cinema(me and my friend).Asked everyone else, except for us! How ironic was that!
woodyfromderby
About time i watched one of those films that real does move you. Having spent some years in that "world" i can definitely see the problems and issues that unfortunately can still arise in todays society. Although sometimes quite upsetting that this sort of attitude behavior still occurs in the modern world of 2006, this turns into a a real 'feel good' film, with plenty of morals + some fantastic music which suits the scenes perfectly. It grabbed me in the first few minutes. I did wonder if people would enjoy this film who hadn't lived in Northern England at first, but the direction, story line and acting make it all the more pleasurable.