"Ae fond kiss and then we sever
Ae fareweel, alas, for ever!" (Robert Burns)

Casim, only son of Glaswegian Pakistani parents, and Roisin, lapsed Irish Catholic, fall in love. If only it were that simple. In refusing to marry his first cousin, Casim will destroy his family's honour and jeopardize his sister's betrothal to eligible young scientist Amar. From Roisin's perspective, this looks like straightforward bigotry, but loyal Casim, caught in the middle, cannot accept this interpretation. He hints at deeper and perhaps more understandable reasons for the family's fixed ideals - the terrible drama of Partition and the racism encountered by his father in the UK.

The film contrasts the uncertainty of modern relationships with the security of a traditional arranged marriage. As Casim's father is quick to point out, there is no assurance that the 'goree' (white) woman will not abandon him when he is bankrupt, sick or old. In a way he is right - precisely because she demands on-going honesty, equality and respect, Roisin cannot promise she will never leave Casim. This is the hard edge of freedom.

The repeated clashes, not only within Casim's family, but also with Roisin's equally unsupportive Catholic community, are painful and emotive viewing, but this is offset by the film's lighter moments, humorous and gentle. Can love endure or should they sever forever? There's no perfect solution or happy ending in sight, but when she looks into Casim's eyes, you can understand Roisin's dilemma. Casim's dilemma is more intractable - how can he hurt his family by destroying the edifice of tradition that maintains them in this often unfriendly country?