Cert 12A
145 mins
BBFC advice: Contains infrequent gory moments, moderate violence, threat
There are many reasons why I wanted to like Honour Killing.
Firstly, it attacks a subject which is crying out to be addressed: the murders of young women who allegedly dishonour their families by not agreeing to arranged marriages.
Secondly, it creates a cultural melting pot, demonstrating that close friendships as well as enmities can be created between different races and religions.
The problem comes with its execution: its acting is stiff and its editing and continuity are haphazard.
Avtar Bhogal's film engages from its early moments when a Sikh daughter is shot dead by her father (Prem Chopra) because she wants to run off with a Muslim lad.
The irony is that some time later her brother (Gulshan Grover) becomes best pals with a Muslim (Javed Sheikh).
Their friendship and that with an Englishman, (Tom Alter) who speaks impeccable Hindi, seems to have broken down all sorts of barriers.
But these are hastily re-erected when the Sikh and Muslim offspring fall in love.
It is a compelling storyline which deserved better than hackneyed dialogue and unconvincing acting.
The movie was filmed around Windsor in the UK and I suspect that Bhogal was on a limited budget.
It would be interesting to see a big studio take his concept and run with it.
Director Avtar Bhogal: "This violence against women has always disturbed me. I don't know why this is happening. This very obnoxious kind of thing stayed with me."
Reasons to watch: The film takes on a very important social issue
Reasons to avoid: There are just too many unconvincing performances
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 5/10