Welcome back to the podcast that, “has never for once in our lives been able to think straight”. This week, Leigh (@lshfoster) and Ellie (@elliebrigida) talk about the 2008 romantic drama I Can’t Think Straight, based on the novel by the same name, for this Lez-ssentials episode, a recurring segment on the essential movies and TV shows in the lesbian canon.

Although this film was released in 2008, it remains one of the few lesbian movies with diverse QPOC representation. The story centers around the relationship between Tala, a Christian Palestinian woman from Jordan, and Leyla, a British Indian Muslim woman living in London. Tala is in the midst of her fourth engagement to some irrelevant man and working in London when she meets Leyla and loses all ability to think straight. In true lesbian fashion, their eyes meet once at Tala’s engagement party and the rest is history. 

These two women have incredible chemistry together and it is impossible not to root for them from that very first glance. Tala is bold in her pursuit of baby gay Leyla, inviting her on a weekend getaway for just the two of them and slyly booking a room with only one bed. After sleeping together literally once, Leyla’s whole world tilts on its axis and she comes out to her extremely homophobic mother. Tala, however, chooses to remain closeted, causing Leyla to break up with her. But don’t worry. After all, this would not be a Lez-ssential if the story ended there. After the breakup, Leyla gets a new girlfriend (but really we all know how rebounds go) and achieves her dream of becoming a published author. Meanwhile, Tala breaks off her engagement (again), comes out to her parents (who really should have known after that many failed engagements to forgettable men), and in classic rom com style, writes Leyla a poem. She then attends Leyla’s book signing and our lesbians finally get the happy ending they deserve. 

At the end of the episode, stick around to hear our original song based on I Can’t Think Straight, “Waves”, written by Leigh Holmes Foster and produced by Ellie Brigida. Join us on Patreon at bit.ly/lezpatreon for instant access to mp3 downloads of all our original songs or find us on Bandcamp to purchase songs individually.

We are planning another #TrovaTrip gaycation! Join Ellie and Leigh in Costa Rica May 1-6, 2024, for the relaxing queer vacay you deserve. For more information and to be among the first to book a spot (and snatch up that Early Bird Discount!), visit bit.ly/lezdocostarica. 

Follow along on Twitter: Lez Hang Out (@lezhangoutpod) and answer our Q & Gay at the end of every episode. Leigh Holmes Foster (@lshfoster) and Ellie Brigida (@elliebrigida). You can also join us on Facebook.com/lezhangoutpod and follow along on Instagram (@lezhangoutpod).

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