TOUCH OF PINK

UK/Canada, 2004, 91 minutes, Colour.
Jimi Mistry, Kyle Mac Lachlan, Suleka Mathew, Kris Holden- Ried, Veena Sood, Linda Thorson.
Directed by Ian Iqbal Rashid.

Touch of Pink as a title is a play on Cary Grant and Doris Day’s A Touch of Mink.

This is a very pink film, camp in style, focusing on gay relationships, homophobia, people in the closet, uncomprehending parents.

Jimi Mistry seems somewhat miscast in the central role and gives an erratic, moody performance which is not always persuasive. By contrast Kris Holden Ried as his partner is far more convincing. The strong personality in the film is Alim’s mother, played by Suleka Mathew, a forceful woman, a widow, plans for her son, dismayed to learn the truth, but learning to stand up for herself and for her son.

The different aspect of the film is that Cary Grant’s ghost, an alter-ego of Alim, his imaginary friend, appears throughout the film with Kyle Mac Lachlan imitating Cary Grant’s accent, referring to a variety of Cary Grant films, serving as the test for what Alim does in real life.

Part of the film is set in London, ordinary life in London as well as the touristic aspects. The rest of the film takes place in Toronto – focusing very much on the Subcontinent migrants to North America and reproducing their lifestyle, clothes, meals, religious ceremonies, marriages.

The film offers a light look at homosexual relationships, aspects of homophobia, coming out of the closet and acceptance. It was made in 2003 – reflecting attitudes at that time.

1. The title, That Touch of Mink, the film as pink, gay, camp?

2. The London settings, the tourist sights, the ordinary life in London, homes and work?

3. The contrast with Toronto?

4. The Subcontinent migrants, their world transferred to North America?

5. The comedy of both worlds, the visuals, the customs, traditions, keeping them and rejecting them?

6. Alim’s story: his past, his father dying when he was young, in Kenya? His mother leaving for London, his sense of abandonment? His going to Canada with his aunt? Being part of that family? His leaving, work in London, photography, on the film sets? His relationship with Giles, his orientation, his life, in the closet? His outings, going to the gay clubs? The birthday celebration, meeting Giles’s parents? His dancing? Sharing the flat? Relationship with his family and his mother?

7. The spirit of Cary Grant? Kyle Mac Lachlan’s interpretation? Alim’s imaginary friend, his alter-ego, conscience, the critical look at what he was doing in reality? Cary Grant’s accent, Cary Grant as a gay icon, the movie references, watching videos: Philadelphia Story, Suspicion, Gunga Din, That Touch of Mink, Charade? Entertainment for movie buffs? The references to actors that Cary Grant performed with? Grant’s attitudes, control, Alim’s inner desires and perspectives? In London, the crises, Grant going to Canada, his advice, bored in Toronto – and Alim finally sending him away?

8. Giles, his family at the club, his sister, his way of life, economics, UNICEF? His past, his love for Alim? Not wanting to be in the closet? Nuru and her coming, his moving room, the impression of being just a flatmate? Nuru’s attacks on him, the breakfast etc? Wanting him away? His taking her out, her transformation, buying the suit, dancing, drinking? Alim blurting out the truth? His animosity towards Giles, Giles being upset? The meetings with Alisdair, his discussions with his sister, the phone call from Alim, his going to Canada?

9. The family in Toronto, their clothes, food, the engagement, the celebration? Dolly and her husband, her snobbishness? Wealth? The genial husband? The prospect of their son marrying? The in-laws and the rivalry and gossip? The lies about Alim and his girlfriend?

10. Nuru in herself, her life, compulsion to eat, with her sister, the lies? Going to London? Dominating Alim, issues of food, making the sandwiches, language, the issue of the rooms, her reaction to Giles, the day with Giles, her being transformed, her hearing the truth, deciding to leave?

11. The background of her life, in Kenya, the death of her husband, going to London, wanting to be Doris Day – and Alim seeing all the films in Mombasa when he was young? The Cary Grant influence? Her expectations, religious issues, Islam, homosexual orientation and her having to deal with it?

12. Alim and his moods, dithering, going to Canada, the family and their reactions, questioning him? The in-laws and their curiosity?

13. His looking at the women and the preparation for the marriage? The party, the men, Karim and the past, Karim drunk, the sexual approach, Nuru overhearing it, her reaction? Talking with Dolly, the issue of arranged marriage – and whatever happens after that and grandchildren does not matter? Double standards?

14. Giles, his arrival, kissing Alim, everybody’s reaction, Nuru and her support?

15. The issues of gay acceptance, the sequences after Nuru accepted her son, the change in him, with Giles?

16. The treatment of serious themes with a comic touch, camp style?