[yasr_overall_rating]
Despite being engaged for years to a successful Iranian plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, Shirin, an absent-minded, young Iranian-American living in the Los Angeles area, finds herself breaking loyalty and tradition when she falls in love with a mysterious young man who lives in a lighthouse in northern California.
“Shirin in Love” is the kind of movie that clearly has good intentions, but also clearly doesn’t understand the level of coherence and originality that a story and its characters have to have in order for it to be compelling.
The premise surely sounds like something you’ve seen before, with minor differences: Iranian-American girl from a traditional family meets handsome American man and decides to defy everyone to be with him.
There would still be hope for the film if it had somehow turned this cliché idea around by adding twists and sharp humor. However, it does none of that, which makes seeing this very formulaic and predictable premise unfold, with its amateurish editing and sitcom-like acting, almost unbearable.
It’s hard to believe that the protagonist is indeed played by Nazanin Boniadi, whose character is the Showtime series “Homeland” is interesting and smart. Here, she portrays Shirin, a girl who drinks too much and gets inside a complete stranger’s car and tells him to “just drive” (that’s how she meets her love interest). She also looks for her keys while they’re in the ignition and works as a book reviewer for the only possible person who would hire someone so “absent-minded” (in other words, dumb): her mother.
If you enjoy romantic comedies about multiethnic couples, I’d recommend sticking to the beaten path and watching, or rewatching, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Or waiting for the next really great example of the genre to come out. But in the meantime, steer clear of this Big Fat Persian Tragedy.
Available now to view on GOOGLE PLAY and DVD
