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This is a movie that takes place in the British-Pakistani community and follows two young girls, Halima (Nimrah S Zaman) and Amara (Ariya Larker), who are on the brink of adulthood. Halima, the daughter of a Member of Parliament, has ambitious plans to crack down on drug-related crimes. Meanwhile, Amara is struggling to navigate a chaotic family life with parents who can’t seem to get along and a brother who is unsure of his future and considering a job in a call center. While the story may seem like a typical social-realistic drama, things take a turn when Amara is accidentally kidnapped by a henchman working for a drug lord. The henchman, who believes “all brown girls look the same”, mistakes Amara for Halima.
Suman Hanif, the director of Tell Me About It, aims to reflect the experiences of the British South Asian community through the film. This is evident in the portrayal of family dynamics and friendships, which take precedence over the kidnap plot. However, the film’s mixture of kitchen-sink realism, comedy, and kidnapping drama results in an uneven tone, similar to that of a TV show like Hollyoaks.
However, unlike popular soap operas that benefit from viewers’ familiarity and fondness for characters developed over time, Tell Me About It faces challenges in creating a strong narrative momentum and building tension around the characters’ conflicts and challenges. The varying quality of performances and an unsteady script may contribute to this struggle. The show may mainly appeal to current followers of the main cast, which includes an influencer, a model/actor, and the winner of the 2004 Mr Asia UK pageant.
Source: theguardian.com
