I CAN'T THINK STRAIGHT (2008) - Lesbian Interest Movie (UK)

Tala and Leyla

I Can't Think Straight (2008), is a British lesbian interest film, (IMDb 6.5) about a young London-based Jordanian-Christian woman Tala who although engaged to be married falls for her best friend's girlfriend Leyla. Tala, an heiress and businesswoman in her own right, knows that her preference is for women but to keep her family happy has had several near attempts at walking down the aisle with a man. In the end, and much to her family's frustration, Tala always finds a reason not to commit and pulls the plug at the last minute. She does not tell her family the real reason which of course is that she cannot find what she is looking for in a relationship with a man.

Leyla, on the other hand, has limited dating experience and is a little naive. She is Muslim, lives a sheltered existence at home with her parents, works in her family business and is writing her first novel. She has never had a relationship with a woman but her CD and book collection give some indication of her deeper but as yet unawakened sapphic desires.

The romance for this couple is a slow burn. On meeting they clash over views on religion however by the time they have played tennis the next day it is clear that they are already well on the way to falling in love. They subsequently spend a weekend in Oxford together where they have the opportunity to spend the evening alone and before they know it they are dancing sensually with each other and eventually sleep together.

Leyla: I want to be with someone who, ten years from now, still makes my heart jump when I hear her key in the door. And that someone is you.
Leyla: Have you ever done this before?
Tala: Slept with a woman while my fiance makes wedding plans? Nope, never done that before.

However, once the night is over, reality bites and both lovers come back to earth with a thud as they consider the practicality of being together as a couple. Lesbianism is frowned on in their respective cultures and each woman is already laboring under the pressure of strong family expectations. Tala's mother who in someways embodies the cultural constraints on the couple, ups the ante by encouraging Tala's fiance to fly in for a visit forcing Tala to make a decision about coming out to her parents.

Tala's poem to Leyla
“Every night I empty my heart, but by morning it's full again.
Slow droplets of you seep in through the night's soft caress.
At dawn, I overflow with thoughts of us
An aching pleasure that gives me no respite.
Love cannot be contained, the neat packaging of desire
Splits asunder, spilling crimson through my days.
Long, languishing days that are now bruised tender with yearning,
Spent searching for a fingerprint, a scent, a breath you left behind.”
Shamim Sarif

Although not always a satisfying watch I Can't Think Straight is a romantic comedy at heart and delivers with some funny moments. Both lead actresses Lisa Ray as Tala and Sheetal Sheth as Leyla give entertaining and competent performances. It is the second pairing as they also appeared in The World Unseen together. The director of I Can't Think Straight Shamin Sarif adapts her own novel here along with the help of co-writer Kelly Moss to produce a watchable and entertaining film.

Tala and Leyla find love in Oxford

Read more about I Can't Think Straight (2008) movie on IMDb

Lisa Ray as Tala

Sheetal Sheth as Leyla

Country of Origin: UK

Genre: Drama / Romance / Comedy

Language: English

Subtitles: None

Runtime: 2.38 minute Official Trailer. Full feature 82 mins

Year of Release: 2008

Director: Shamim Sarif

Screenplay: Shamim Sarif and Kelly Moss



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Related Links

I Can't Think straight film on Wikipedia
Other Lesbian Interest Films