Mothers from two different cultures and generations share the same problem: Letting go of the past do their sons can discover the truth about the men they have become. "Apron Strings" skillfully deals with issues of racism, homophobia, and denial without preaching or turning sappy. Primarily this is a film about motherly love, and the disguises such affections wear. Barry is on a self destructive path because, embroiled in debt and a gambling addiction and his mother, owner of the local cake shop, can't help but bail him out of trouble over and over again, until Barry's pregnant sister shows up to shine a little perspective on things. Despite her culinary skill, Barry refuses to eat any of his mothers home cooked meals, opting instead to score freebies from the local curry shop. Inside the curry shop, however drama bubbles under the surface as Michael, a student working part time, hides more than one secret from his new employer. Not only is he gay, but his mother Anite is his new bosses estranged sister, who bitterly refuses to reconnect with her Indian roots despite her sons desperation for approval.

This is a drama that focuses on two New Zealand families. A Muslim family in which two sisters have been estranged for years and the son of one of the sisters who tries to build a relationship with the aunt he's never met. A Caucasian family consisting of a mother, her pregnant daughter and the 35-year-old, in-debt, lay-about son who still lives with her. Both story lines are very involving, intertwine somewhat with each other, involving you in their lives and building to the two simultaneous dramatic climaxes. I saw this at the 2008 Toronto International Film festival and while it is a serious movie and has much to say about motherhood, family, community, racism and sexuality, it's not a morose or preachy film. It's quite entertaining.One other thing.... guys, it might be considered a chick-flick, but the actress, Laila Rouass, is the most beautiful woman you'll see in any movie, including any "action" movie you might be considering,

Based in Auckland New Zealand, the film is largely about the lives of an Indian family separated because of past differences, two sisters who have not talked to each other since they were young girls. Both sisters live in opposites, one sister who has remained with her traditions and culture whilst the other sister and her son who have distanced themselves from their Indian roots. The son in search for his "Indian Identity" seeks out his aunt in an attempt to learn more about himself and finds out the history of the dispute that tore the family apart. The one binding factor that eventually brings all of them together is the food.In tandem with the Indian story line there is also a European family, a mother who owns a cake decorating shop in a very multicultural area and her struggles to come to terms with the changes that multiculturalism brings. She has a 35 year old son that is struggling with his way in life who still lives at home and insists that his break in life will come at the advice of his drunk pub mates or the horses he gambles on. She struggles to put him on the right track smothering him with support to his eventual detriment. I loved the concept of the movie that could be set in any country portraying the difficulties in inter and intra racial issues that contend with day to day life. The movie has moments of recognition for everyone as the characters represent some of the stereotypes that people have come to expect from all quarters of society. Some of them funny, some of them serious, the prejudice's, the eventual acceptance and the underlying importance of family. .A great movie with something to think about.