This film deals with issues such as refugees, radicalization, casual racism and sexism, and general hypocrisy in all of us. It's a contentious subject, and almost impossible not to offend some section of the society. But I think the film did a decent job while maintaining it entertaining as a commercial film.
The form factor as the crime investigation drama is a bit of cliche. I understand it keeps the film entertaining, but I honestly think it's the weaker side of it overall. The depiction of the super serious, lone-hero type interviewee and cold investigators in grey rainy London are carbon copies of the recent crime TV dramas, and feels over-done...
But the different lives gathered in the cafe are lively and multi-layered. Samir, the old hostess of the cafe, especially steals the scenes with her bold, biting and funny remarks. Characters like her, who could very well have been in arms with other Parisian students during the '68 revolution, and the old Iraqi music shows on TV represent the past of Iraq most people in the West do not know, while more recent Hussein era is represented by Taufik's past and in the form of ex-husband of Amal.
Other issues are also represented more than simplistic way; The bigotry of the extremist preacher is clear, but even the more liberal minded guys are not free from subtler sexism and homophobia. The form of racism the Iraqis have to experience also ranges from the direct violence to much more casual ones from the local English who fail to recognize their love interests are more than what they see present in London - they are also their past, their culture and community. And that applies exactly the same beyond their individual lives. Without understanding the complex texture of the past and present, there will be no solution to the issues like refugees, religion, radicalization and bigotry.
It's not a documentary or a reportage. It's ultimately meant to be an entertaining commercial flick, and it does it decently. But it manages to touch on complex issues involved, and leaves a lot of things to think about beyond its running time.
