There's an offbeat humor that keeps us laughing, even though it never manages to scale the heights of a classic film comedy. None of the characters can quite break out of their stereotypes--Redgrave's pinched shopkeeper, Williams' befuddled priest, Beesley's long-haired hippie, writer Syal's overbearing 'auntie' ... they all seem like stock characters who are well-used in the plot but never deliver on their promise. The scene-stealer is Segal as Meena's outrageous grandmother, while the terrific Dharker and Bhaskar give the film its emotional/comic heart. And the story similarly refuses to come to life. Anita and Meena's friendship never blossoms; we don't really believe in it, which is partly the point, but it leaves a big gap where the film's plot should be. We never really buy into Meena's obsessions, as she doesn't seem to grow up much at all, despite everything that happens. And I'm sorry to nitpick, but her squawky, thickly accented voice on the narration is more than a little irritating, making it even harder to identify with her. Fortunately though, the film is more than watchable due to its details, small bits of comedy and feeling around the edges that keep us engaged and entertained, even if the film's centre never quite grabs hold of us.