I Can't Think Straight

Tala is a London-based Palestinian woman who is counting down to a large Middle Eastern wedding when she meets Leyla, a young British Indian woman dating Tala's best friend. Tala speaks with confident, bright energy and Leyla carries a quiet, cautious sensibility, yet the pull between them is immediate and undeniable. Their encounter lingers beyond casual conversation and the connection deepens into something more than friendship, challenging Tala to reassess the life she planned. As the big day draws closer, old loyalties and religious expectations tighten around them. The pressure to stay within familiar norms becomes a fierce test for both women and for everyone who loves them. Their choices ripple through friends and families, testing loyalties for them.

Directed by Shamim Sarif and released in 2008, I Can’t Think Straight is adapted from Sarif's own novel with Kelly Moss credited as creator. The film stars Lisa Ray and Sheetal Sheth.

Critics often praised the intimate performances and the frank treatment of a cross cultural romance under pressure. The movie centers on themes of desire and identity, family duty, and choosing honesty with oneself even when it costs more than a wedding.

The film is noted for bringing a lesbian romance into diaspora cinema, sparking conversations about faith and tradition in South Asian and Middle Eastern communities. It remains a reference point for queer representation that blends romance with cultural identity. The script leaves room for viewers to imagine futures.

There are no widely documented major awards for this indie feature; it found a niche audience through LGBT film festivals and on streaming platforms rather than earning mainstream accolades, and its modest footprint reflects niche appeal in debates worldwide today.