Amar Akbar & Tony

A multicultural comedy drama, this follows three friends from different backgrounds as they navigate relationships, responsibilities and tragedy in contemporary West London. The film's focus is mainly on the British Asian community, but its exploration of the expectations of traditional families will be familiar to most who see it. The decision to combine light-hearted comedy with moments of very dark drama is daring, and the unflagged gear changes between the two can be quite jarring. But thanks to the charming chemistry between lead actors Rez Kempton, Sam Vincenti and Martin Delaney some of these bumps are smoothed over. Amar, Akbar and Tony may be three very different characters, but there is clearly a common thread between them, which which their relationship believable, particularly as things become more dramatic. Amid the tonal uncertainty and occasionally blunt stereotyping, this is a likeable coming-of-age tale with both brains and heart.