Touch of Pink (2004) User Reviews (53)

A very interesting movie ... mixed feelings about it though

[film_am_03 · 7/10 · 14 January 2005]

WARNING: Not only spoilers but some personal comments/rants

Yeah, the premise is stale - multicultural (white/non-american) gay couple, homophobic mother, coming out etc. For most people, Cary Grant/Kyle Maclahan was the best aspect of the movie. Kyle Maclahan has clearly enjoyed himself, and it is a delight to watch him perform. But there is more to the movie. It is surprisingly realistic! Now reviewers I have a lot of respect for, including NY Times, have been harsh on the movie and that is understandable even though it's surprising. In my humble opinion, based on living in the South Asian culture for 27+ years of my life, I beg to differ.

The fundamental difference between the "Western" culture and the "Asian" culture, as I can see, is the disproportionate emphasis on family in Asian culture as opposed to individuality, privacy, and personal space. To give you an example, in all the time I lived in India (the first 22 years of my life), I never had my "own" room. Even my parents didn't have their bedroom. Everyone slept in the living room. We shared closets for keeping clothes, shelves for books etc. People grow up differently under such circumstances. You learn to "sacrifice" for the sake of family. A tremendous amount of the individual pride in the Western culture - all that living your life to the fullest extent, being what you want to be in life, making your own choices and learning to take responsibility for them - is lost. It resurfaces as family pride. You do everything for your family. Your family has to be the best it can be. Your choices are guided by the ultimate prestige of the family. The elders (the heads of the family) make the choices for the younger ones. You would live at your parents' house till you are married to a person of opposite sex and once your parents retire, you and your spouse become heads of the family. Then its your turn. Even then you can't make decisions based on your preferences but based on what is "appropriate" to maintain and build the prestige of the family.

I am probably saying stuff people think they know. You really don't until you experience it. I've found my American friends find all the Indian movies (Bollywood) very amusing with all its over-the-top melodrama. Having lived in US for 5+ years, I find it over-the-top and am turned off by it most of the time. But when I do sit and watch an Indian movie, I'm sucked into it at some point. I've always wondered why. The reason is this: in India, people actually live like that. My parents are living proofs for this fact. Everything is turned into an emotional blackmail so that I uphold the prestige of the family and help my parents "win" in their social life. Yes, parents actually consider arranged marriages of their children as personal victories in upholding family prestige and "love" marriages of their children as personal failures. Oh, the fact that I'm gay doesn't even enter the picture! So, for all its unbelievability and over-the-top amateur production values, this movie is indeed believable, simply because I have heard this very dialog from my own mother about plunging a knife in her heart for something much less trivial than falling in love with a "phirangi" - a foreign (different skin-colored) woman. Is my mom a selfish controlling monster? She probably is, according to Western culture, because she wants me to marry a South Indian, Iyengar Brahmin girl of good heritage despite the fact that I am gay, and that she'd throw much worse tantrums than Nuru ever did in the movie. But then, I know my mom better. I know the kind of personal sacrifices she did for the sake of her family, sacrifices that would have been called foolish, stupid, and naiveté by Western culture. Now I won't marry a girl and "sacrifice" like her, but I do understand that in my mom is a manipulator and a victim. I completely understand why Alim went to Toronto after his mom than stay in London and go after Giles.

The movie touched me personally despite being flawed in many ways. Jimi Mistry's performance was horrible and Giles and Alim had almost no chemistry. The production values were amateurish. The biggest problem for me with the movie was that Alim's character was not fleshed out at all even in the screenplay level. Despite all that, the movie rang true in a number of levels for me and did not stereotype or reduce the issue of a gay man coming out in an Indian culture to a caricature. I applaud Ian Iqbal Rashid for that.

7 out of 10

Fun and comical

[ncbrian · 6/10 · 31 March 2005]

Just like television these days, gay-themed movies are becoming a more popular genre. There aren't very many gay-themed movies that are actually realistic with a decent script and acting. Too many screen writers fall into writing stereotypical characters with story lines that revolve around AIDS or clubbing. Finally, Hollywood is making some good movies that are actually enjoyable. Touch of Pink is about a gay Canadian living in London with his boyfriend. He's not only gay, but his family is devout to his Indian culture. His family has no idea about him being gay until his mom comes to visit him, hoping to find a spouse for him.

The movie is fun and often comical. Kyle MacLachlan plays the main characters imaginary friend. MacLachlan does a great job, and the character's writing is witty and fun, but the character gets more annoying as the movie goes on. The movie tries to recreate a modern-day Cary Grant movie, but only makes it half way. In the end, the movie is fun and enjoyable, and doesn't fall into all the pitfalls of making gay-themed movies.

Generic but OK

[preppy-3 · 5/10 · 13 May 2004]

I just saw this at Men's Opening Night at the Boston Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. I wasn't too impressed.

It's about a South Asian-Canadian man Alim (Jimi Mistry) living in London happily with his lover Giles. Then his mother (not knowing he's gay) shows up for a visit. She tries to convince him to come back to Toronto for a family wedding--and find a nice girl and get married. All the while Alim is given advice by the ghost of Cary Grant (Kyle MacLachlan!).

Sounds interesting and it is--but only occasionally. For one thing this plot has been done to death--do we REALLY need another comedic movie about parents finding out their adult child is gay? The film was (obviously) made on a low budget which hurts. And EVERYTHING is predictable. I was constantly one step ahead of the movie all the time. The script isn't bad--there are some truly very funny lines but not enough to save the movie.

The acting is pretty good. Mistry is OK if a bit too grim all the time. The man who plays his lover Giles was much better--full of life and energy. However, I never believed these guys were lovers (they are both straight in real life). Their kisses were all wrong and they obviously weren't enjoying themselves. His mother was OK but VERY obnoxious--and not funny. More than once I just wanted Alim to tell her to shut up. MacLachlan was fantastic as Cary Grant--he looks like him, has the voice down perfect...even dresses like him! He also had the best lines in the film and nails them perfectly.

A very ordinary, generic gay film. Straight audiences might find it more interesting. Also the audience last night applauded loudly...but afterwards everyone said it was just OK.

I give it a 5.

Welcome back Cary Grant!

[gregorybnyc · 2 February 2005]

I noticed the DVD of TOUCH OF PINK at my local Tower store and decided to rent it. Home yesterday with a bad head cold, I popped it into the DVD machine and lost the next hour and 40 minutes to a movie of subtle charm and lovely sentiment.

Alim (Jimi Mistry) is a still photographer working on movie sets in in London where he lives with his lover, Giles (Kristen Hodlen-Reid). A huge fan of vintage movies, Alim has created an imaginary best friend, in the form of Cary Grant (Kyle MacLachlan), who is always at hand to give him advice on what clothing to wear and how to wear them, often helping him out of awkward social situations. Alim is a bit dreary, and at first you think he certainly doesn't deserve the long- suffering Giles, who after a long series of sexual conquests, has finally settled down into domestic bliss with Alim and is very much in love with him.

Meanwhile Alim's mother, Nuru, is unhappily living in Toronto in the shadow of her social climbing sister, Dolly (Veena Sood). Dolly is gleefully spending a great deal of her successful husband's fortune on the upcoming marriage of her only son. Nuru is one of those unfortunate malcontents who never checks her feelings before saying something rude and mean-spirited, and for this bad habit, she's rather disliked by her sister's catty social circle. Depressed with all the attention her sister is receiving, Nuru decides to jump on a plane and visit her son in London. The only problem is she doesn't know he's gay.

Once in London, Nuru's rudeness is aimed at Giles. She is wildly insensitive to her son's life and home, and in general clueless about his life. Giles works hard to break down the barriers and succeeds, taking Nuru out for a day in London, where she has a wonderful time. But in short order, she is startled to find out that Alim and Giles are lovers and she angrily flees back to Toronto, leaving her son miserable and bad-tempered. Giles tries very hard to cheer Alim. Caught up in her own depression, Nuru is nearly catatonic upon coming home. Dolly knows something is wrong, but Nuru won't talk about it.

About the only person who can comfort Alim is Cary Grant. As Alim and Giles relationship continues to tank, Alim decides to go home for the wedding of his cousin. And then Giles turns up in Toronto with all the attendant comic possibilities implied.

I'm surprised at some of the cynical comments about this sweet and gentle comedy of clashing cultures. There's nothing laugh-out-loud funny in this film, which is fine with me. It certainly is a lovely film about reconciliation and acceptance. Nuru is one of the most annoying mothers I've encountered in the movies. She's beautiful and still young, and yet she's so caught up in her culture of getting married to a successful person. Any prospective son or daughter-in-law will have their work cut out for them with this mother-in-law. But when Giles takes her out for the day, she melts and her defenses disappear. The walls come back up in short order, but again fade in the final moments. Giles is certainly a dream lover, but his essential goodness never descends into sainthood. Alim is a bit of a drudge, and he's certainly not very sure of himself. But he's got Cary Grant to keep an eye out for him, and who could ask for anything more? Kyle MacLachlan is wonderfully assured, never overdoing his affectionate impression of the movie legend, delivering his lines effortlessly.

Director Ian Iqbal Rashid steers his fine cast through the thickets of this social comedy with assurance and restraint. I found myself beaming idiotically through this adorable comedy of manners. Resist it not.

too bad about the acting

[robje010 · 6/10 · 29 April 2006]

Alright, a well-intended movie and pleasant enough, if only the two lead characters weren't so unconvincing! Especially that Giles-person, really spoiled it for me. Mum and aunt were alright though, and so were a lot of other minor roles. The music was good too, very becoming of the whole atmosphere of the film. And even though you could see the twists and turns coming for miles, it was, as a whole, uplifting. Again, I just think they could have casted much better actors for the main roles. I know I already made that point and it's the only point I really wanted to make,but apparently these things have to be 10 lines minimum. So there.

Charming and funny coming out story

[lorne-12 · 9/10 · 21 May 2004]

A remarkably charming homage to a dozen 40's, 50's and 60s romantic comedies. The plot is a standard coming-out-to-mom story, not particularly surprising, but mom and auntie are brilliant. Entire scenes are lifted from Doris Day/Katherine Hepburn/Cary Grant movies.

Kyle MacLachlan as the spirit of Cary Grant mentors a gay Indian man in Toronto and London while the boyfriend charms the sari off of mom. The ambitious and acquisitive relatives plan a ridiculous marriage while the alienated son clings to an integrity no one else bothers with.

At last, a story that's not poignant or heartwarming, just funny and good.

Entertaining but uneven movie.

[scullystwin42 · 6/10 · 29 November 2005]

Entertaining but uneven movie. It's a cute concept, and Kyle Maclanahan is wonderful as the spirit of Cary Grant. I found the lead actor to be a bit uneven, but buoyed by excellent performances by the supporting actors and actresses. I was glad it didn't fall into the "gay guy forces straight friend to play fiancée" cliché - it hit it, went on, and we weren't forced to listen to tired jokes. Worth a rental, emotional but light-hearted. The only jarring part was the "relationship" between the lead character and his cousin - I found it hard to believe that an intimate relationship between first cousins, especially male, would be permitted.

Muslim culture painted Pink.

[film-critic · 5/10 · 22 January 2005]

Films are changing with the changing society in which we live. As films try to adapt into the growing world, we find ourselves trying to find the films that do not sugarcoat the truth or deface a positive change. I have seen several films lately that just put the positive changes in our society in a negative light. Thankfully, Touch of Pink is not one of those films. It is an imaginative film that takes the glamour of Hollywood love (through the character of Cary Grant) and combines it with an ever-changing world. While I will admit the Canadian/Muslim depiction in this film is a bit Eurocentric and at times glossy, it is only due to the fact that director Ian Iqbal Rashid has a cornucopia of information on such a small plate. Add to this a mixed bag of chemistry between our two lovers, Alim and Giles, and some definite need for more rehearsals, you may loose sight of one of the greatest assets to this film, the one, the only, Kyle MacLachlan.

The story is simple. Muslim man who happens to be gay tries to tell his mother of his lifestyle to see if it would bring them closer together. It is similar to nearly every other gay film out there that has the underlying theme of family. The story is nothing to write home about, in fact, if this story never went out of the box, I don't think I would be speaking so highly of it, but the genuine greatness of this film is the magical element of Cary Grant. MacLachlan supersedes himself by taking this role and transforming it into quite possibly the best character of the film. His quick tongue and wit really define him as both an actor as well as the best element for this film. He embodies Grant so well that if anyone were to do a biopic on Grant, I think MacLachlan would be the best for the role. His interaction with Alim gives us that invisible/imaginary friend relationship that only those that had similar friends growing up would understand. Created from a lack of father figure and many films, Grant helps Alim go through life's hurdles. He is Alim's security blanket against life. Together, these two work very well together. In fact, they work so well together that I continually waited for more scenes between them or involving them. MacLachlan's involvement in this project propelled Touch of Pink from average love story to something a bit more spectacular.

I wish I could compliment the connection between Alim and the rest of the cast. Sadly, the chemistry between Alim and his boyfriend Giles was horrible. I never once believed that they were in love or a couple. There seemed to be some conflicting emotions ravishing between them and a bit of arrogance that just didn't settle well for the "love" scenes. I don't know if it was the acting of these two actors or the fact that perhaps they were just not comfortable with each other. Either way, they were not able to translate their love through the screen very well at all. The same goes for Alim's interaction with his mother. I just never saw the struggle that the two of them needed to demonstrate. They jumped to easily from one emotion to another, never really allowing us to feel the tension or love between them. This leads me to think that perhaps the casting of Jimi Mistry was the wrong choice. He just didn't seem to fit with anyone in this film except Grant. Was he only supposed to connect to Grant because he was his imaginary friend, a creation of Alim's mind? I don't know, all I do know is that the actors interacting with each other was like water and oil instead of water and water. The mixture didn't seem to gel.

Finally, I think what the story lacked (and I hinted upon this earlier in the review) was the strong culture that Alim was fighting against. I felt too much time was spent in London, where his gay lifestyle is a bit more accepted, than in the Muslim culture where he would have to fight for acceptance. I wanted, in fact, I needed to see more interactions with Alim's family than what was allotted. There was also a confusing element thrown into the end that just should have been left out. It did not progress the story, only build confusion and unbalance in the overall scheme of things. The culture element is what I was hoping for in this film. I wanted to see a Muslim love story with imagination and creativity that broke social boundaries and I kind of did, but it wasn't bold enough. That is my biggest problem with this film. I felt that hidden somewhere between Jimi's troublesome acting and Ian Iqbal Rashid's choppy direction there was a strong message that wanted to be said about homosexuality in the Muslim culture, but it never came forward. It was almost as if there was a "scared" factor built somewhere in this film.

Overall, this was a decent film. There could have been a stronger message about Muslim homosexuality and family values, but it was countered well with Kyle MacLachlan's stunning portrayal of Cary Grant. It was his character's element that really impressed me about this film. Perhaps stronger editing or direction would have strengthened the story, but I had MacLachlan, and that was joy enough. I would suggest this film for couples looking for a date film or anyone interested in gay cinema, but for me there was just this tugging sensation that this film could have gone further, deeper into the "rabbit hole" so to speak, but chose to play it safe.

Grade: *** out of *****

More delightful than a samosa!

[Kickybrit · 10/10 · 18 January 2005]

I'd seen a preview for Touch of Pink and waited curiously until it came out on DVD to watch it. In that time however I started to read negative reviews for the film with some claiming it to be a rather dull and unfunny sort of movie. With slight anxiety I popped in the film and fell immediately in love with it. I don't mind that it isn't the most original of coming out movies but I certainly did think it was worth more than the reviews panned it to be. I found Alim and Giles' relationship to be quite refreshing from the bore of most gay relationships in movies. The family "ethnic" barrier played in quite well as did Giles' on again off again loose flings. I was most surprised by the way Machlachlan carried himself as Grant, he was fantastic! I watched the movie a second time and found Grant's presence to be more comical than previously thought. The film carried itself well throughout the film and ended nice and warm if not a bit predictable. Don't listen to the film critics who judge gay movies based on their original "gay" story, just enjoy the romantic comedy involving two very attractive men!

Above Average

[jmorris236 · 6/10 · 6 November 2005]

Within the glut of "coming out comedies" I've purchased in the past few years, I've noticed that they all seem to have similar plot devices. They usually present a young gay couple, consisting of one partner who is out and comfortable with his family, job and friends and a partner who is not out to any of these people. Almost always, the happy couple is suddenly confronted by the visit of a parent or other relative (usually from another country or culture) from whom they must conceal the truth of their relationship, or come out once and for all. Many of these films mean well, but frequently (especially when other cultures are involved) the movie is trite, offensive or dated. I was prepared for Touch of Pink to be all of these things, and half-wondered to myself as I purchased it why I bothered. I was in for a pleasant surprise. The characters were real, engaging and likable. The two actors who played the couple were not drop-dead gorgeous hunks, just pleasant looking enough to have the average gay viewer identify with them. The gimmick of having Cary Grant as the imaginary friend of the main character worked better than I expected it to. All too often imitations of celebrities come off as just that – imitations, and pale ones to boot. Kyle MacLachlan has Cary Grant's vocal mannerisms down pat, without being overly exaggerated or silly. Alim's mother is pretty, bitchy and quite a lot of fun, and her character has most of the really funny lines in the picture, which are many. And I was also impressed not only by the production values and acting, which were first rate, but by the first class treatment given to the DVD release. All too often, DVD's of films with gay subject matter come at very high prices with no extras whatsoever. This disc offered subtitles in several languages (including English for the hearing impaired) a trailer and a short documentary on the making of the film. These are extras that people who purchase mainstream films take for granted, and I am always delighted when they're included in a gay title. All in all this film was quite enjoyable.

Things are not Rosy with That Touch of Pink

[Portrait-of-a-Statue · 3/10 · 13 September 2006]

I am a fan of Kyle MacLachlan from his Twin Peaks days and good reviews of his performance as Cary Grant led me to watch this movie. I'm sorry I did because it saddened me to see him reduced to acting in a movie of this caliber. The script never met a cliché it didn't like and I knew where immediately how the story would end. (I was right.) Jimi Mistri was not the right choice to play Alim. He was clearly uncomfortable with the gay kissing scenes and the rest of his performance ranged from morose to more morose. He does a lot of his acting by widening his eyes. I got the impression Suleka Mathew is a good actress but her character was poorly written--so manipulative and unpleasant one moment and so effortlessly transformed the next. Finally, the lighting, the sets, the staging all scream "we can't spend a lot of money on this production."

not as unoriginal as some might think

[orangegoby · 8/10 · 4 February 2005]

Sure, the underlying plot of a son hiding his sexuality from his conservative mother isn't original and completely unpredictable, but there is a lot more to it, unlike many successful Hollywood movies. There's no nonstop violence and destruction, celebrity appearances, explicit sex scenes, or crude humor--not that those always make bad movies.

The characters have varied depth (as do real people), the dialogue is great and sometimes even clever, and of course there are some good laughs. It's tasteful and maybe a little bit 'artsy', but that's completely okay. The details of the plot are different enough to keep it interesting. Some touching character secrets are revealed. 'Too bad it didn't have a wider release in theaters or more well-placed publicity. I think it would've been more successful. I definitely rank it as one of my favorites.

As always, don't let the opinions of strangers be the only deciding factor for seeing a movie. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't.

Pink-schmink-universal

[masterjk2 · 7/10 · 3 November 2005]

There has always been the shock of the bride/bridegroom, movie genre. In this country, "Guess who's coming to dinner?" stands out. But this plot is well nuanced in the discovery that not all is as it appears and why should the "successful" son of one sister get all the accolades when he's a hypocrite and the other sister's son is the real thing, but "comes out?" In highly ordered societies and ones that defend their customs at all costs, the idea of having a gay son is an anathema. America is still trying to get over the stigma and those of the religious right wing have not nor will they anytime soon. Some people may be surprised that Muslims can be gay. Some were surprised that a pope could be Polish. The thread of human nature runs through all of mankind...it doesn't stop with WASPs. One aspect of the movie which was very pleasing was its confronting the viewer with how strongly movies can influence us. The protagonist's mother moved to London to become the Indian Doris Day. Her son has envisioned an angel in the form of Cary Grant to help himself through the rigors of being gay. It's apropos. The acting was good and the plot, although threadbare, did have a few twists that pleased. But probably the most exceptional performance was given by MacLachlin who caught the exact intonation, inflection and cadence of Cary Grant"s voice. It was remarkable.

'pink' stinks

[marymorrissey · 2/10 · 17 April 2005]

I give this movie a 2 cause Kyle MacLachan is really delicious imitating Cary Grant. Also, the conceit of his character (he extols the virtues of staying in the closet) is interesting. The rest of the film is anything but. Exasperatingly predictable with witty exchanges like He: She has a peaches and cream complexion! She: Well, I'm lactose intolerant! (The Sundance audience howled at that line, as they did through most of the movie, incidentally. Sundance audiences are THE worst!)

If you want to see a vastly superior interesting and not only interesting but thoroughly enchanting movie about gay Arab issues see "ROAD TO LOVE" by Remi Lange. You won't get some tired mother in law yipping and yapping cliché in this one taking up most of the screen time! And you get far wittier exchanges in this film in a style combining "Dogma" and Cassavettes style approach starring two wonderful quick charismatic Algerian dudes.

You know in "Pink" I really hated every single character in the movie, when I think back on it... basically it was cause they were made of cardboard.

My two thumbs up!

[fifilaboomboom · 29 April 2004]

Great film! Charming & heartwarming without ever getting too sappy. Witty

dialogue delivered with stopwatch-perfect timing by very some strong actors.

(All easy on the eyes too, might I add...).

Paying strong hommage to that romantic but slightly camp Hollywood of the

past, "Touch of Pink" successfully bridges the decades since Doris & Rock in a way that "Down With Love" didn't - without requiring any of the overdone pastel hues. "Touch..." also focusses on an important and timely underlying subject matter in a sensitive, respectful manner.

Nothing here that I wouldn't take my kids - or my grandparents - to see. Yep, as much as I hate to say it, it's fun for the whole family...

Color me underwhelmed

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 6/10 · 20 February 2010]

When I found out what this was going to be about, I decided to give it a chance, since it was on television. This deals with a gay man who doesn't think his Muslim mother will approve of his... lifestyle. This is a great idea for a subject to explore, something that definitely has not been done to death. However, with how flat the material is, and how lackluster the delivery is, you'd think that it had. The main problem here, plain and simple, is that this is not funny. With one or two exceptions that are certainly not worth sitting through 90 minutes of poor attempts at humor, every joke and gag fails utterly and embarrassingly. My exposure to Cary Grant is quite limited, but I would say that MacLachlan's impression of him is a tad over the top, if largely accurate. I like him, and he is enjoyable to watch. Trust me, I have no agenda against this, or anything in it. I merely did not laugh at any point of this, and only a few things came off as clever, and I consider myself to be open to most forms of comedy. This is well-made, and the cinematography and editing aren't bad. The plot is fine, though the progression is entirely standard. Acting is nice enough. There is a bit of sexuality and brief strong language in this. I recommend this to those who are interested in the concept of it. 6/10

Who knew there were gay Muslims?

[DPennSOBE · 10/10 · 10 June 2004]

I had the opportunity to view "Touch of Pink" as a special showing to members of the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival community this week. The director, Ian Iqbal Rashid, was present and provided a wonderful Q&A following the showing.

The film is "low budget" - just how low is low? The director wouldn't say (a provision in his contract with Sony, apparently). Frankly, I have seen many big budget films that delivered much, much less. The fact that the director also wrote the screenplay and the lyrics to the original compositions shows his devotion to delivering this film. From concept to screen took him 11 years!

Several facts speak for themselves: 1. The audience reacted very favorably to this film at Sundance, and at the screening I attended, 2. It has been picked up by several major Lesbian & Gay Film Festivals for prime opening or closing night slots and 3. It is scheduled for release by Sony Pictures in July. This is not your run of the mill film festival film! Most films come to the film festival circuit LOOKING for a distributor.

One could easily say the premise has been overdone (i.e., homophobic mother/gay son/coming out angst story). For me, however, this film had unique twists that made it anything but trite. A gay, Indian Muslim from Canada living in London and forced to confront his own and his family's, homophobia isn't something I've ever witnessed before. Kyle MachLachlan as Cary Grant (a make believe friend of the main character, Alim) is a sight to behold. The acting is generally superb; the timing of the lines perfect. Throw in enticing sets and wonderful costuming and you've got magic going on.

At a time when we in the West are confronted daily with images of the "evil" radical fundamentalist Muslim world, I believe this film serves yet another purpose. It shows the humanity of Muslims, and I'm certain this image is much more realistic than the one we see repeated ad nausea on CNN. Dealing with homophobia is a common denominator: Maybe we have more in common with the vast majority of Muslims than we have been lead to believe. One leaves with a sense of optimism (if Alim can survive this mess with such cultural obstacles, maybe there is hope for the kid in the Midwest from a fundamentalist Christian family). There is even an Indian distributor signed up, so maybe an even greater impact will be made in the Muslim world.

As one audience member put it, "I like movies that make me think, make me laugh and make me cry...this did all three." I couldn't agree more. This is a must see!

I didn't KNOW!!! I Really Didn't KNOW!!!

[mitzkity · 7/10 · 14 June 2006]

I thought this movie was adorable, enchanting, amusing, and all those romantic comedy clique words...yes, I really bought it ALL. Except, I couldn't quite figure out what was up with Kyle's character - he seemed so stiff and odd, and I seemed like the only person who noticed how odd he really was. Okay, I have an ear infection and 102 deg fever - maybe that's what it was, but I tell you, I almost turned beet red in my own living room when I saw Kyle DISAPPEAR! Was I the LAST one on earth to figure it out? I LOVED IT!!!! Yes, I guess it was a gay plot line, but really the MOM is the story and she is a class act all the way. What a great part, well acted and --wow, how she can be both youthful and shrewish in a minute! Her behavior at the wedding was a triumph and my hat's off to her. Her son's cute, but a bit of a sissy - I loved the boyfriend and think they'll make a great couple. I'm not gay, but if I was, I'd want to go live in their honest world. This film must have been a real hit at the film festival... such a pleasure to watch!

This film is really a time loss!

[emremilenyum · 1/10 · 21 February 2005]

I watched Touch of Pink yesterday, and i think that i must have done more useful things. It was really terrible. I have never seen such a bad acting. How can a director or producer choose such a bad staff, i can't still understand. The main character's "Alim" had a weird looking in his face during the film. His mimics (i was not able to understand whether if he is crying or laughing), and even his walking were so clumsily. In addition to that, all those Indian stuff made me get bored. Rubbish witty remarks, unnecessary cues... and how old was Alim's mother? She was like in her thirties, but was acting a mother of a guy in his twenties. That choice and make-up were false again.

Briefly, this film deserves a big 0 (zero)out of 10.

A Breezy Delight

[Natureboy1 · 8/10 · 18 September 2004]

It strikes me first that critics aren't particularly fair to gay themed films and tend to give them lower ratings than they deserve, citing, of course, other reasons. This film was thoroughly enjoyable fun, with terrific performances by all and a perfect one by Kyle MacLachlan as Cary Grant's ghost. It was a fresh, inventive take on the well worn theme of mom visits son and discovers he is gay. This was reminiscent of romantic comedies of the 1940's, which was certainly intentional. I don't think you have to be gay to enjoy it, but cynics beware. It's a light and happy experience. I wished I had Cary Grant hanging around as Alim did.

Cute movie

[snowyprecipice · 7/10 · 26 November 2016]

This film is about two guys already in an established relationship, living in Toronto. Alim's family has no idea he's gay because he moved away a while back, but his mother comes for a visit to pressure him to find a girl. Giles pretends to be his roommate, and they have a kind of tense relationship while Alim's mom is there (understandably, cause Giles feels marginalized).

Don't worry though, the whole thing gets resolved quite nicely, despite the race issues and gay being an issue stuff. The only two things I found weird in the movie is Alim's "ghost friend/guardian angel" sort of character. Like why is he there? Kind of strange. The other thing is that Alim's mom looks really young even though they tried to make her look older. Still, she acted well.

All in all it's a great watch and leaves you with a happy feeling~

Cliche after cliche...

[barbicaned · 2/10 · 16 December 2021]

If Mistry would act as he did in The Guru or in any of the other movies he's been in, his gay character would had been more believable. This movie is not only a cliche after a another but also a mistake after another. Why cast an actress as a mother who looks and probably is (couldn't find a reliable biography of her) younger than her "son". The spirit thing has been done hundred of times before and much better than here, altough the idea works it's MacLachlan impersonation that, to me, fails; at first I thought it was Colin Firth but then I thought it was MacLachlan impersonating Colin Firth with a stiff neck, never would I thought it was Cary Grant, I don't see it, I don't hear it, I don't feel it, Grant even combed his hair to the other side. The idea of the gay couple having to deal with their parents social/cultural differencies, again, been done before and better. The only part that works is the english partner, my two stars are for him.

A Wonderful Surprise!

[avideno · 9/10 · 10 May 2004]

I saw this film at Sundance and was completely surprised at how much I loved it. I am not always into gay-themed films (I'm a straight woman), but this film is really for everyone (open-minded, that is). The story is not new in that it's a romantic comedy, but the journey of the characters (the two leads, and the mother) is a good one. It was funny, and it made me cry...the perfect combination for a film. The actors were great. Especially Kyle MacLachlan, who was SO funny and SO good. I have loved him since "Twin Peaks," but this was just above and beyond anything he has done recently. And Kristen Holden-Reid is my new favorite actor. He has a great presence on screen, and pulled off a flawless English accent. I completely recommend this film.

Likeable but dated

[Alexanders-2 · 6/10 · 24 October 2022]

There are films that I just want to like because they are so likeable and their humor hits at just the right spot. Sometimes, however, a detail throws a spanner in the works. And that was the case here, too. The story is not new: son lives his gay life far away from his family, when the family gets on his case - in this case in the form of his mother - the game of hide and seek begins. In a comedy, of course, everything turns out well, the mother finds out everything and has understanding. More than that, she suddenly turns from a rather annoying and unsympathetic mother hen into a wise lady. It's not believable, but hey, this is a movie and not reality. This is matched by Alim's constant dialogues with an imagined Cary Grant, which contribute nothing at all to the plot, but ultimately serve to exaggerate the artificial atmosphere of the film, which is conceived like a play. Kyle MacLachlan doesn't do anything wrong here, his oneliners are great and could have come from a screwball comedy, but at times his presence annoys me. As a result, it's all sympathetic and not necessarily believable, but it doesn't stick much more than the realization that even 18 years ago, the subject of gayness in film was still one of remarkable uptightness.

mildly amusing but cliché' and light

[cappyboy · 4/10 · 31 August 2009]

As a story this one tries hard. That's the best I'll say for it. I never found a way to really like the characters. Each of them is self involved and absorbed to a degree that makes them stereotypical and ugly. While the main character has an all too common and real dilemma, and his mother's obtuse denial is nothing out of the ordinary, they simply aren't handled in a way that makes the viewer sympathetic towards them. I quite disliked them both at certain points while hoping that I would find them warm and fuzzy.

The saddest thing is the boyfriend and how he's treated. He is perhaps the nicest on the bunch but the plot and development leave him starched and angry more than genuinely loving and kind.

This film was also a coming out film, and though that's often painful and dramatic this one wasn't. It wasn't often funny or dramatic and though it wasn't the oft repeated teen-aged angst fest that many coming out movies are, it wasn't much different except for giving the main character an ethnic spin.

The film did try to get there, but emotionally left me flat. As is sometimes the case, gay themed means poorly done. I hate that, but the market is somewhat starved and often simply having a gay theme gets a movie made that shouldn't or wouldn't get made on it's own merits. I think there should be tons more gay themed movies, but I think they need to be good movies that are gay themed not simply expect to be good because they're gay themed. In the same way that simply seeing Disney on a label doesn't guarantee a truly fine film, seeing the word gay doesn't mean a movie is relevant or meaningful to gay people.

Though it had good intentions I don't think this was a relevant or meaningful movie to gay/lesbian audiences. It might be more to the point to say it could entertain those not in the community in the same way shows like Will and Grace do. By being over the top parodies of real life, they entertain but never enlighten and never really touch the people they are supposed to be about.