Before Nikkah: Film Review
Director Haider Zafar makes his directorial debut with Before Nikkah, a British-Asian spin on Richard Linklater‘s romance classic Before Sunrise.
This 92-minute romantic comedy explores the complexities of modern-day arranged marriages through Issam (Aakash Shukal) and Sara (Sasha Vadher). After being set up by their families, Issam, a 31-year-old visual effects professional, travels down to London from Milton Keynes to meet with Sara, a 23-year-old model and dancer.
At first, the conversation is stilted, awkward and almost like a job interview where they’re trading basic information about each other. They decide to call it quits and go their separate ways pretty quickly, but when all of the trains back to Milton Keynes are cancelled for the rest of the day, Sara decides to keep Issam company. Now that the pressure is off, their conversation is easier and more relaxed. They chat about a wide range of topics while wandering around London, with stops at a café, a cinema, a fairground and a fireworks display.
This film pays homage to Before Sunrise and you can see the parallels here and there. The most obvious similarity is that the majority of the story revolves around them simply walking and talking, but it also begins and ends at a train station. There are plenty of differences though – this is set in London rather than Vienna, this isn’t a spontaneous encounter as our leads have been set up, and their feelings for each other aren’t so apparent.
Despite the uncomfortable start, Issam and Sara grow to enjoy each other’s company and their conversations become more flowing and uninhibited. Some lines in the earlier discussions felt artificial and contrived and this was reflected in the occasionally unnaturalistic acting. However, the writing and acting felt more realistic and spontaneous as the film progressed and Issam and Sara developed a rapport. Their conversations covered a wide range of topics and I found the deep and philosophical ones about death, marriage and their dating history more interesting.
Before Nikkah (Nikkah meaning a marriage contract) features a lot of long takes of our capable leads as they walk and talk in top locations like Victoria Park, Primrose Hill and Hampstead. There is some great music in this and amusing scenes such as Issam and Sara trying to record a voice note to his ex. Plus, I’m not going to spoil anything, but I really liked where this sweet story ends.
This romantic comedy is a mixed bag in the writing department but Shukal and Vadher’s winning performances will leave you with a smile on your face.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
In specified cinemas from Wednesday 12th February:
Genesis Cinema, London – 12th (one day only)
ArtHouse Crouch End, London – 13th (one day only)
HOME, Manchester – 16th (one day only)
Natural Science and Media Museum, Bradford – 14th-20th