East Is East DVD

Advantages: Funny, thought-provoking, well-acted and scripted
Disadvantages: Lots of swearing

East Is East is one of my favourite films; one that I have seen countless times. As well as owning the DVD, I have watched it twice on TV and twice in school (once in Religious Studies and in Citizenship). It has been both criticised and commended in equal measure - some have described it as the best British film in years, others have said it's racist, anti-Islam and stereotypical. You'll hear my views on that later! THE STORYLINE Set in 1970's ...
...MY THOUGHTS East Is East could easily have been a depressing, gritty drama, bogged down with messages about culture clashes - but it isn't. It's a touching comedy drama that will make you think as much as it makes you laugh. Ultimately, it's quite an uplifting film that will put a smile on your face! It is a finely-tuned mix of comedy and drama, which works really well together. As well as dealing with the thorny subject of cultural differences, ... Read review

Advantages: Brilliant comedy which makes you think
Disadvantages: The ending

East is East is a fantastic Bafta award winning film set in the seventies based around the Khan family. The film begins with elaborate preparations being made for the eldest son’s arranged marriage. George Khan (Om Puri) is the father, and has seven children. A proud Pakistani he lives in Manchester within a largely white community. He does his utmost to raise his children as good Pakistanis (mostly against their will and choice). Here begins ...
...need to know. East is East shows that Asians can be Racist as much as Whites can. Although this film is a comedy it does discuss some worrying issues and I often felt a bit sad for the children. Issues raised include forced/arranged marriages, dominating/violent fathers, parent and child generation gaps and power and money in relationships. Doesn't sound like a comedy right! Don't worry it is funny, in a tongue-in-cheek manner. I may be a bit hard ... Read review

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

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 ...
...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, ... Read review

Advantages: Great cast, lots of humour, excellent characterisation, gripping drama
Disadvantages: Hard to understand Om Puri's accent at times, disturbing in parts

I have wanted to see East Is East since it came out in the cinema in 1999, but as usual, I get round to it when it comes on TV two years later! I was determined not to miss it this time, and I was very pleased I didn’t. It is a really good film which keeps you gripped throughout, pulls you into the story and only lets you go when the closing credits roll almost two hours later. The film concentrates on the Khan family – the Pakistani ...
...of the main themes – East is East (West is West), as culture, colour, race and religion play a part in shaping the lives of the Khan family. There is also a generation gap – the children all consider themselves English, the father a staunch Pakistani. The kids try to avoid going to mosque, wearing their traditional clothes and can’t speak Urdu. Tariq loves clubbing and snogging white girls ; Meenah prefers wearing trousers and kicking ... Read review

Advantages: see opinion
Disadvantages: see opinion

...of fun too? What East is East does do is to show that the reluctance to embrace a country’s traditions isn’t always down to Whites not wanting Asian culture, but just as much Asians not wanting to embrace the (shamefully) liberal White culture. In order to get the points across the film sometimes relies on humour. I know a lot of people who said that they didn’t find it as funny as they were led to believe it would be, but for ...
...real thigh-slappingly funny moments, some subtle prods at humour, and a lot of stuff that’s not funny at all, and sadly very accurate. Many a true word is spoken in jest, and this film speaks the truth as I remember it, with or without the jest. It’s a sad thing that there is still a prejudice against mixed race marriages, and the film also reminds you that although this is set 30 years ago, the problems are still on going. **Summary** ... Read review

Advantages: Funny, well-written
Disadvantages: Some apparently find it anti-Islam and racist

...found insulting to Islam - I can't say that I found it so, but then I am not religious - I suppose the only way to deal with this is to avoid watching if you think you will be upset. There is a great deal of swearing, which may also offend some, as well as the odd bit of wife beating - again, if you are concerned about any of this, then stay well clear. I really enjoyed this film. I thought the multicultural issues were dealt with really well; I certainly felt very deeply for the characters involved and really wanted things to work out for them. Obviously if any of the content I have mentioned is likely to offend, then you should probably stay away from this film, but otherwise, I think most people will find something to enjoy in it. Highly recommended. The DVD is available from play.com for £5.99. Classification: 15 Running... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Performance. Story.
Disadvantages: None

...East Is East was released in 1999, and its a comedy movie. It is based on a play by Ayub Khan & directed by Damien 0'Donnell. The movie revolves around a Pakistani British Family. Cast: Om Puri (As George Khan) Linda Bassett (As Ella Khan) Jordan Routledge (As Sajid Khan) Raji James (As Abdul Khan) Chris Bisson (As Saleem Khan) Emil Marwah (As Maneer Khan) Jimi Mistry (As Tariq Khan) Ian Aspinall (As Nazir Khan) Archie Panjabi (Meenah Khan) Lesley Nicol (Aunt Annie) Plot : The movie is set in 1970's, George Khan who is settled in Salford near Manchester and is married to a British Woman Ella, they have seven children (Six Boys & One Girl), George & Ella runs a Fish & Chips shop near their house. Annie also helps Ella as she is her friend. George is very dominating & wants everyone to live the life as he wants them... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good acting; real, interesting characters
Disadvantages: Social issues are to the forefront

...with subtly. My only reservation is that it may have benefited from having less of the social issues, and more of the comedy of some of the situations. Overall, the movie is fresh and original, moving and funny. The movie is festooned with bright colours, and a sense of celebration, with good use of music and dancing – but it’s not what you’d call a “Bollywood” movie. Definitely more of an intellectual kind of movie, if you know what I mean. I saw the movie at the cinema, but it would come across well on the small screen as well. Everytime I see the Peugot TV ad where the Indian takes a car and reshapes into the Peugot shape... I think of "Monsoon Wedding", for reason. (Little aside there) The DVD is currently £6.97 on amazon.co.uk Not a bad price at all, but… What about this super value triple bill Cinema Club DVD * Monsoon... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful