Shirin in Love

With a cast that includes Maz Jobrani, Max Amini, Marshall Manesh and Anita Khalatbari, I was expecting a Persian comedy, but the film "Shirin in Love" is, in fact, a romantic movie - a "chick flick" even. While the film's location, costumes and props were fine, its writing, directing and editing were terrible. The porno-style filming, soap opera-style acting, nonsensical still shots, disconnected scenes, stereotypical characters, weak plot and cheap humor are just a few of the film's shortcomings. The film's one bright spot is Nazanin Boniadi, who portrays Shirin. Even in a bad film you can spot a shining star. She certainly has a bright future. I don't understand why she decided to appear in this film, given her well-established career with feature roles in "Homeland," "Grey's Anatomy," and "How I Met Your Mother." The film did little to enhance the reputations of Maz Jobrani and Max Amini, and may even have hurt them.

I watch "Bridget Jones Diary" and "Sleepless in Seattle" again and again because they are good romantic comedies that make me feel good. Like these films, "Shirin in Love" is a pleasure-a warm funny movie that hits every note I need home alone on a Saturday night. Apart from the well-known talent Amy Madigan, the film is beautifully cast-from the star leading lady Nazanin Boniadi and her (possibly) leading man Riley Smith to some very funny cameos from Anita Khalatbari as the heroine's mother and George Wallace as Officer Washington. The soundtrack is great too, and I hope will be released-and its a good looking film. But the main thing for me is the story and I love it.

The story itself was beautiful. Its one that many Iranian American girls can relate to. This movie shows the struggles of a Persian girl who has adapted to the American culture while her parents are still living a Persian life style. I loved having a English speaking Iranian movie which showed Persian life in the U.S. Although it might have had a few short comings, it was entertaining and one of a kind. The best part of the movie is if any people who aren't Persian watch it, they will still understand the movie, get a little insight into the culture and feel like the movie was directed towards everyone, not just English speaking Persian. I hope to see more movies like it in the future that are made in the U.S for Persian-Americans.

Apparently the person who wrote the original review of this movie was Persian. He did not like this movie, but probably because the beautiful Persian woman falls in love with the WHITE GUY not the middle eastern guy. Silly doctor! This IS a chick flick, and I've got more news for you. WOMEN OUTNUMBER MEN in this world. FURTHERMORE we are SMARTER than men. We don't all go out to be doctors or lawyers or Indian chiefs (american indians, of course), but that is easily explained. WOMEN MADE society, NOT MEN. Men are like male lions, only needed to to breed to make more more of their species, and occasionally come in and help kill the bigger game animals. Otherwise the female lions do NOT NEED the male lion. Same thing with WOMEN. We don't need men, MEN need US. I loved this movie, it has a happy ending, even though it is built off a silly premise... that an Iranian-American woman would just fall in love with a guy she doesn't know diddlysquat about, but hey, as a woman I'm here to tell y'all that is 'the' definition of a chick-flick after all. They are always built on baloney scenarios. The worst part of this movie was the mother of the female lead, because she had obviously had a terrible face lift. I haven't seen eyebrows that high up on a forehead since I last had tea with the late Mary Kay.

Shirin in Love is one of those adorable rom coms that will completely melt the heart. It will make you laugh. It will give you that tickle in your stomach and looking at Riley Smith doesn't hurt either. ;-) What sets Shirin in Love apart from all the other numerous rom coms is the fact that this one actually has something to say. It's about culture and family and following your own desires. And these desires aren't just romantic. They're career-oriented as well which is very appealing. And there are genuinely sad moments in this film that make one think. It's not all just silly romance and humorous events. There is depth to this film which makes it all the more easy to fall in love with the characters.