East Is East DVD > Reviews > EAST IS EAST

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Good

Advantages:	Funny, good direction, excellent cast, good story
Disadvantages:	Some may find some scenes disturbing

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Introduction ~~
East is East is another good recent British film. And like the majority of other good recent British films East is East was made by Filmfour. East is East is set in Salford, near Bradford in the 70's and it focuses around the antics of the Khan family. George Khan, the father was born in Pakistan and by marrying Ella who is English he moves to England.
Then him and his English wife Ella have seven children in Salford. But that's where the problems start; his children. They simply want to be English and do what English people their age do and choose who they marry. And with a big difference in opinions between George and the children big problems arise…

Story ~~
If you read the script for East is East you would think of it as quite a serious and dark film and with the scenes of domestic violence it is quite dark but the brilliant cast manage to pull off some hilarious scenes that will make you laugh-out-loud.
Most successful British films follow one of two "templates"; set up north on terraced streets or set in the Eastend of London. East is East and the Full Monty follow that first "template" and Lock stock, Gangster no.1 and Circus follow that second "template".
The story unfolds quite slowly in East is East and when its finished you think "what actually happened in the film." Well I got that thought. Whether it was because of the ending has an unfinished feel to it or because nothing did actually happen I felt that nothing really happened in East is East. And nothing does really, except the children avoid an arranged marriage, have a few scraps with their father and well that's about it. But despite that there is no point in the film where you will feel bored. East is East may seem to drift on and not seem to head towards any particular ending but there are morals and lessons taught by the film. Firstly how similar the children are to British children and secondly a message against racism. This is portrayed by very last scene at the ending, the Pakistani children and English children running around together. Though neighbours of the Khan's do try their best to make them feel out-of-place by sticking up repatriation banners.
Despite all their un-muslim antics, like eating forbidden food, going to sleazy nightclubs and drinking the Khan's turn out okay and their fathers stubbornness and determination to make his children traditional Pakistanis does no harm. Except drive away the eldest child who refused to go ahead with a forced-marriage at the beginning of the film. He does disappear at the start of the film because George no longer considers him a son but he does come back. But unfortunately him and George never settle their differences.

Cast ~~
Soap fans will feel quite at home with East is East. It stars 2 Coronation Street characters and 2 EastEnders characters. Chris Bisson stars in East is East, he is also in Coronation Street. Jimi Mistry stars and he used to be in EastEnders as the doctor. EastEnders's Jim stars as a racist neighbour. And his son is played by the ginger kid in Coronation Street. (Sorry to be a bit vague there!)
The East is East cast is brilliant, everyone gives realistic and believable performances. Om Puri delivers a good performance as father George. Linda Basset gives a very strong and powerful performance as Ella, she acts brilliantly in the domestic violence scenes. Ian Aspinall plays eldest son Nazir, although he is not in the film much he excels in what is still an important role. Chris Bisson who is in Corrie plays talented art student Saleem. It is Saleem who makes the rather umm interesting sculpture that ends up on a posh woman's lap. Jimi Mistry plays Tariq, the rebel of the family who spends most evenings at the local disco. Meenah played by Archie Panjabi is the tomboy of the family, she is played excellently by Panjabi. Abdaul is the quiet child and he does little, but Raji James still excels as him in East is East. Maneer played by Emil Marwa is the religious child and he attempts to obey George and his strict muslim ways. Jordan Routledge is absolutely excellent as Sanjid whose face you rarely see as he's hidden in the hood of his sweaty parka. Practically all of the funny scenes in East in East involve Sanjid, he is the youngest child and is probably 6 or 7. Maybe a bit older. He has some of the best lines, one brilliant line he has was when he was asked his age by a posh woman. He answers back "Too young to get married so don't ask." That may not sound hilarious in words but in the film said by Routledge it is hilarious.

Certificate ~~
East is East is rated 15 in England for strong language and some domestic violence. Others will probably disagree with me but I'd say this is suitable for anyone over the age of 11 or 12.

Overall ~~
East is East is a film about tolerating other peoples views, director Damien O'Donnell clearly shows how George loses his temper when his children go against his traditional views. O'Donnell shows how Ella is split between her love for George and her desire for her children to have the best. Ella knows that her children would be better off without George's traditional views and she greatly loves them but she also loves George. Director Damien O'Donnell pays great detail to Ella's difficult situation.
East is East is quite different to most other films. If you read lots about the story of East is East it would sound very controversial. It touches upon the views of repatriation and racism, it contains strong scenes of domestic violence, it shows how children were forced between choosing whether to force marry and please George or not force marry and have George think they are no longer his son. But director Damien O'Donnell manages to cram in all this controversy and still keep the film funny and light-hearted. That is what makes East is East such a great film.