My parents used to joke with me growing up because I always loved movies with multicultural relationships in them…foreshadowing perhaps. I’ve watched all of these on my own and some with my partner as well. Some have inspired me, some have made me think and ask certain questions about my relationship and they have all just been great movies around the theme of multicultural relationships. It could be a fun thing to do on your own or as lazy date night!
The Big Sick
- Follows the story of a second generation Pakistani man pursuing his stand up comedy career and meeting an American girl. Their relationship falls apart when he refuses to introduce her to his family but then she get sick and he is forced to confront how to navigate his family/culture with his feelings for her. Since this film was written by the couple the movie was based on, I think the script is so realistic and it really hits home for me. It started out as an independent film premiering at a film festival in 2017 and quickly gained success after.
Bend it Like Beckham
- This one follows the story of an Indian girl living in England who loves playing soccer but whose family thinks she needs to stop playing to follow a more traditional lifestyle (go to college, marry and start a family). This movie explores a lot on the theme of being a second generation child having to navigating family pressures with your actual passions. I grew up watching this movie so it has a special place in my heart but its funny, the soundtrack is amazing and the acting is great!
Elemental
- This is a new animated Pixar movie set in world of different elements where the main fire character is trying to save her fathers shop from being shut down with the help of an unlikely water friend. I am a sucker for animated movies but this one makes me tear up every single time, its written so well and so clearly based on real stories and experiences.
Past Lives
- This explores two Korean childhood friends who keep missing the right moment to be together and eventually live separate lives. They reconnect later in life when one of them is married and all three meet. Discusses what life could have been like staying inside of your own culture and the struggles of the partner who feels like an outsider. I think this internal struggle was really well done and definitely let me feeling thoughtful.
Four Weddings and a Funeral Adaptation (not the 1994 movie but 10 episode show)
- This follows a group of four friends from college who reunite in London for a wedding. It follows their deep friendship, career struggles, love interests and more throughout four weddings and one funeral. This show has it all in my opinion, there are a ton of multicultural, queer, age-disparate relationships portrayed in the show each with their own unique story. The writing is so hilarious with tons of witty references to current events which is no surprise since its written by Mindy Kaling. The cast is amazing with a lot of up and coming actors. Of course if you have seen the original movie you will see the similarities but if you haven’t, don’t worry you won’t miss much.
A Good Year
- A successful but arrogant finance trader In London learns that his uncle has passed away leaving him as the beneficiary of his estate in France. He goes to France to oversee the sale but ends up getting stuck there remembering his fond memories of summers spent with his uncle and childhood French friend who still lives there. He is forced to confront what type of life he wants to live. A really stellar cast in this one, a classic French movie.
Crazy Rich Asians
- A popular comedy drama that follows a Chinese couple that travel to Singapore for a wedding of one of their friends. While there, the girl is also introduced to the family who does not approve of her being so American and modern. Her boyfriend must navigate his family demands and relationship. I think this movie does a good job of showing that even within cultures there are still struggles with family acceptance. It also touches on some other important topics like family living oversees, wealth and matriarchy.
Green Card
- This movie centers on an American women and French man who enter into a marriage so he can stay in the United States and she can rent the apartment of her dreams. They are forced to spend time together to learn about each other to pass an interview by Immigration services who thinks the marriage is a sham. This film is a bit older but still very cute and I think touches on the more overlooked part about marriage and the everyday little things that you learn to love/put up with.