LOVE WILL FIND A WAY (ALI AND AVA)

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'Ali and Ava' is just one of those films that quietly goes about its business but makes one hell of an impact.

An understated love story set on a housing estate in Bradford, Clio Barnard's film stars two of England's best character actors Claire Rushbrook and Adeel Akhtar as lovers whose relationship challenges those around them.

Akhtar's Ali is a kind hearted landlord from a well to do Asian family who tends to the requirements of his tenants when they need a home or to have something fixed.

In his spare time, he's a DJ with an extensive vinyl collection.

© BBC Film, BFI & Altitude

However his marriage to Ellora Torchia's Runa is ending, with both sharing the same roof but living separate lives.

Rushbrook's Ava is a classroom assistant of Irish extraction and a widowed mother to Shaun Thomas' Callum and Mona Goodwin's Michelle. 

Callum has recently become a dad but he is also prone to angry outbursts like his late father.

Barnard hints early on that Ava still harbours a dream of meeting the right guy - illustrating this in a scene on a bus where she observes a young couple in front of her with a look of longing that just underscores her loneliness.

© BBC Film, BFI & Altitude

The couple first meet when Ali drops a tenant's young daughter, Ariana Bodorova's Sofia off as a favour to her mum to the school where Ava works.

Ava and Ali quickly hit it off, bonding over their mutual love of music.

She loves country and folk, which he says he detests.

Ali loves punk and electronica which isn't really her thing.

© BBC Film, BFI & Altitude

As their relationship develops, Ava entertains Ali in her home and, in a fabulous sequence, they swap headphones listening and dancing to each other's music.

The various sounds of this sequence eventually morph into the playing of The Specials' '(Dawning of a) New Era' on the soundtrack.

It is a very clever choice.

The Specials, whose lead singer Terry Hall sadly passed away before Christmas aged 63, wete one of Britain's first multiracial bands to make an impression, notching up Number One hits with ska tracks that embraced political themes including the fight against racism in the 1970s and 80s.

© BBC Films, BFI & Altitude

The beauty and tenderness of this moment dissipates when Callum stumbles across their silent disco and reacts badly to what he sees, brandishing a sword in the living room.

As Ali and Ava's relationship comes to light, Callum struggles with the fact that his mum is dating another man.

But the couple have to overcome prejudice in both their respective families and communities.

Ali's sister accuses of him of running around with a white chav, unaware that Ava has a first class arts degree.

© BBC Films, BFI & Altitude

Things are further complicated by the fact that Ali and Runa are wrestling with the guilt of not telling their families that their marriage has collapsed.

The fact that they still share the same house while forging separate lives only underscores the tragedy of their situation.

Ava also has to deal with the after effects of a previous abusive relationship with Callum's late father and her son lionising him to the point that he starts to exhibit some of his worst traits.

Her relationship with Ali and their playfulness provides a beacon of positivity in a crazy world.

© BBC Films, BFI & Altitude

It offers hope amid all the residual heartache of the past.

Reminiscent of Ken Loach's inter-racial romance 'Ae Fond Kiss,' Barnard's film is about the finding of common ground when two people come together and fall in love.

It also celebrates the transcendent power of music.

And in conveying those themes, Rushbrook and Akhtar are superb in their respective roles.

© BBC Film, BFI & Altitude

Akhtar imbues Ali with real heart, lots of kindness and good humour.

He is especially great at relating to young people - connecting with Sofia and later with a group of stone throwing youths who he wins over and calms down by playing a track on his car stereo from a local DJ, MC Innes.

Rushbrook portrays Ava as a resilient, proud and kind hearted mother and grandmother who sees Ali for the diamond he clearly is.

Thomas, Torchia, Goodwin and Bodorova are excellent as well, illustrating the messiness of most people's lives.

© BBC Film, BFI & Altitude

A film firmly rooted in the British realist tradition, 'Ali and Ava' is a touching celebration of love in not always the easiest of circumstances.

It is Barnard at her most uplifting, serving as well as a love letter to Bradford and the power of human connection against the odds.

It is also unflinchingly honest.

Few films in 2022 will make you feel as warm even in the face of the everyday obstacles Ali and Ava encounter in their lives.

© BBC Film, BFI & Altitude

Beautifully filmed by Ole Bratt Birkeland, several shots are stunningly lit - giving them a warm glow that reflects the relationship depicted onscreen.

'Ali and Ava' provides yet more evidence of Barnard's importance as a filmmaker.

It is a mature film from a director who is willing to grow and experiment with style and substance.

And it is all the more thrilling because of it. 

('Ali and Ava' was released in UK and Irish cinemas on March 4, 2022)

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