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Member since:23.12.2003
Reviews:81
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Stephen Fears has rightfully been known as a very effective director who has always been able to give excellent producing and directorial films, producing innovative and fairly entertaining films. “Dirty pretty things” does the trick again in this absorbing drama about the world of London illegal immigrants and British asylum seekers. Final message of the film can be interpreted as a political message to all future immigrants. Having David Byrne singing it’s tune on the end of the film, telling maybe, that USA government treats immigrants better. Well if I would have some David Byrne, waiting for me there, I would gladly immigrate to USA. But, frankly, I don’t think so. Wherever immigrant decides to try his luck on, it is the same, apart perhaps Australia and New Zealand, who still has a decent living asylum to offer. However, not only for Turks or Bosnians, but also for British people, that again, are getting treated better from the rest.
Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Okwe, an Nigerian doctor who has arrived in London illegally after being falsely accused by the state
of killing his wife. He works as a receptionist at a hotel and as a mini-cab driver. He has been given shelter by Senay (Audrey Tatou known as French Oscar nominated Amelie Tautou), a Turkish asylum seeker who works as a maid in the same hotel. As an asylum seeker you’re not allowed to work. However, this turns out to be a minor problem. Okwe receives a call saying that the toilet in a hotel room is broken. When he goes to investigates, he finds a human heart blocking the flash. Who puts it there? What has been going on in this hotel? Despite his position Okwe tries to find out. As time goes on, it is obvious that low life hotel manager Sneaky has something to do with the heart. Immigration officers come to Senays house to check that she isn't working. Okwe has to make himself invisible to avoid complication. Many dangerous and embarrassing situations those two are coming across.
Dirty Pretty Things is a strange film, a sort of mixture of thriller and drama. You're not quite sure what to expect at first. I think Frears captures the loneliness of this unprotected and poor lifestyle sector of London very well. In a way, this is a typical situation of illegal immigrants in UK. Mind you, lately UK Cinema is trying hard to present the immigration as worse as possible, distributing films as a social message to all asylum seeking countries in the world. Maybe this is the message: Don’t go there, it’s filthy cold place, with just alike people....go to America, that’s the place for you. You have this message hanging onto your neck all the time. Like the immigration service is much better in USA than in UK. Yea’ right! Mind you, knowing many UK immigrants I know that this life isn’t that bad, because most of them are still staying in the country, until they get citizenship. So, how much this message is true? Yet what is most interesting about scenes is that, the only contact the two main characters have with British citizens is when pair of ruthless immigration service officers visit Senay to check if she’s getting on well legally To all British Okwe and Senay don't exist, in the supermarket, pub or cinema, Brits won't see them unless they’re out on the street at 5am. ["We are the people who make your shirts, clean your shoes and suck your..."] Entire film works on one level as a gripping urban thriller, these people are the backbone of UK’s service economy. Yet, these people have no share in its success or any rights while they are working for it. This is actually the same kind of treat where ever they go, not only UK. Socially poor people from poor countries, always start from a very beginning in economically developed society. I reckon how bad that can get depends of person and luck. Looking after yourself is something that measures loads with intelligence and luck. Sometimes it isn’t that bad however. Sometimes is very bad. Well, we all get a clear message here. Fears tries hard to give us ruthless picture of how illegal immigrants live in London. This is the reason why this film has drama value here. It is its political intelligence and ability of compassion.
Sometimes reading the UK tabloid press, journalist will have you convinced that refugees are invading the country, somehow poisoning British fab. way of life. Dirty Pretty Things is an interesting look into an underbelly of London that officially doesn't exist. Admit tingly, a British status whenever in the world is politically and socially totally different from status of Turks, Nigerians, Bosnians etc. So a British person cannot know this feeling of being on the end of a social food chain. However, there’re many many Brits without jobs, so a native speaker’s rage is also understandable. This is not a film for tourists. Certainly not for children or teenagers. It’s available to be rent or purchased via Internet, if not at the cinemas.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: K.C. Bascombe - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jesse James, Rachel Skarsten, Charles Powell, Linda Purl, Kevin Zegars
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Many sentences are identical with that op by blinderben published on january 2003 : http://www.ciao.co.uk/Dirty_Pretty_Things__Review_5321351
For example : "Immigration officers come to Senays house to check that she isn't working. Okwe has to make himself invisible to avoid implication.", "Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Okwe, an Nigerian doctor who has arrived in London illegally after being falsely accused by the state of murdering his wife"...
hackersupr 03.02.2005 17:04
Movie sounds really interesting !! Nice review
MAFARRIMOND 24.10.2004 18:43
I've heard a lot of good things about this film and want to watch this. Maureen
WithDirty Pretty ThingsStephen Frears (The Grifters) gives us a dark gritty film examining ... more
London's seedier underbelly. Oscar nominated Chiwetel Ejiofor is Okwe, a Nigerian doctor who fled to Britain after the death of his family. So far he has evaded ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
From Stephen Frears, the Oscar nominated director of The Grifters, Dangerous Liaisons, ... more
DIRTY PRETTY THINGS stars Audrey Tautou in a harrowing tale of struggle and survival for two immigrants who learn that everything is for sale in London's secret unde...
WithDirty Pretty ThingsStephen Frears (The Grifters) gives us a dark gritty film examining ... more
London's seedier underbelly. Oscar nominated Chiwetel Ejiofor is Okwe, a Nigerian doctor who fled to Britain after the death of his family. So far he has evaded ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
From Stephen Frears the Oscar nominated director of 'The Grifters' 'Dangerous Liaisons' ... more
and 'High Fidelity' comes a new film set in London's secret underworld where everything is for sale. It's the story of a young man Okwe and young woman Senay wh...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Well-shot, correctly paced, clever script with funny lines even Disadvantages: Predictable, morbid, slightly stereotypical outtake on darker London
habitualdamnation 02.07.2005 (03.07.2005)
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Review of Dirty Pretty Things (DVD)
Advantages: Well-shot, correctly paced, clever script with funny lines even Disadvantages: Predictable, morbid, slightly stereotypical outtake on darker London
habitualdamnation 02.07.2005 (03.07.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Dirty Pretty Things (DVD)
![Dirty Pretty Things [DVD] [2002]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78506872.jpg "Dirty Pretty Things [DVD] [2002]")
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