Dirty Pretty Things

Rating:
Summary: Tautou is nice, but Sergi Lopez steals this film
Review: I saw "Dirty, Pretty Things" here in the Dallas area on opening weekend, drawn by thought "hey, I'll see anything with Audrey Tautou." The US marketers of this British film know that the Tautou connection is what will entice moviegoers to check it out. So, they've put together this marketing campaign based around this alluring, bare-backed photo of a seductive Tautou peering over her shoulder.

Too bad that has nothing at all to do with the film, in which Ms. Tautou plays a English-speaking Turkish immigrant with a hard life that she wears on her face throughout the movie. No scene in the film comes close to what is depicted in the advertising campaign. This is typical of US marketers. These are the same masterminds who wanted to rename "Bend It Like Beckham" to "Move It Like Mia" for that smash hit's US release because obviously the audience here would ignore a movie centered around a name 'nobody' knows. These folks obviously need to get out more often.

For all the talk and marketing juice centered on Tautou, she plays third-string here once the movie kicks off. The heart of everything that happens revolves around Chiwetel Ejiofor's 'Okwe' character. He's wonderful here.

But the film is absolutely stolen by Sergi Lopez, known in the film behind-his-back as 'Sneaky' and to his face as 'Senor Juan.' He plays a reprehensible, larger-than-life character running a complex and brazen black market operation from his desk deep in the bowels of the hotel that employs all the protagonists.

Lopez is known to most audiences for his star turn in 2000's "An Affair Love," a.k.a., "A Pornographic Affair." He's so shockingly different here in 'Things' that you don't put 2 & 2 together until the closing credits (or perhaps not even until you come home and look him up on IMDB.com). Anyway, this is a Spanish actor best know here for his French roles standing out from his peers with a strong performance in English. Obviously, a talented guy. Expect to see a lot more from Sergi Lopez.

Rating:
Summary: In the presence of greatness
Review: Fast-paced film about a Nigerian doctor and a Turkish woman forced to make existential choices as they are drawn into an international organ selling ring in London. Each choice leads to a more complex and exciting dilemma.

Wonderful, well-developed characters make this film a gem. It is the best film I have seen in my life.

Rating:
Summary: "Decisions, decisions, decisions..."
Review: I was drawn to the movie, like a lot of others, because of Ms. Tautou. She didn't disappoint. But you may well quickly doff your Tautou infatuation once the movie gets in gear. The movie is about the privleged and non-privleged, and the sub-set of the non-privleged into the haves and have-nots. It is a stark reminder of the decisions we make and the ramifications that propogate from those decisions.
At its base level, the movie is about the unrequited love of a man and a woman...sort of. It is not, as popularly expressed, a murder mystery. That (italicized) is merely the vehicle of the love story.
This entire movie harkens to the opening scene of Lynch's Blue Velvet; you may not like what you find beneath appearances. I wasn't uncomfortable watching the movie, but I felt somewhat guilty not crying at the end...and I still do.

Rating:
Summary: back alleys & underbelly of urban life without cliche angst
Review: I intentionally avoided any reviews of this film. Therefore, going into the theatre, I half expected a thriller and/or horror genre film. While it is certainly atypical of what most viewers would define as horror, Dead Pretty Things is both gripping and sublime in its unsettling exploration into the lives of the underclass, or perhaps more apt named, the ignored class. The film centers around the exploits of a group Londoners who just happen to be illegal aliens fighting to survive and make a place for themselves in the "civilized" world. They are for the most part a loyal bunch of compatriots who struggle to make an honest living, to realize their dreams, and to do all of it whilst avoiding both immigration police and unscrupulous individuals out to exploit their desperation. In the film, we observe their failures and successes, and we empathize with their tough choices. This is a human film about real horror - those things that would force a person to sell his/her body and dreams just to survive, and the toll it takes on the human heart. But these are not perpetual victims. The film offers a glimmer of hope for those brave enough to seize the day and remain true to their ideals, an in this way it is an empowering vision for the viewer. The fact that the heroes of this film are the people who do the "dirty work" in modern society (the maids, the janitors, etc...) allows for a a refreshing look at the modern "class" distinctions in a way not too different from Robert Altman's Gosford Park. This offering from Dangerous Liasons and High Fidelity director Stephen Frears is perhaps his most humane work yet, and it's worthy of a nod by the Academy. The climax is a tad predictable and the denouement practically unsatisfying, but strong performances by Amelie's Audrey Tautou, and Amistad's Chiwetal Ejiofor propel this film through the back alleys and underbelly of urban life without the cliche angst typical of many Martin Scorsese films (and those who are influenced or try to duplicate his work). While it certainly does not play out like a David Lynch film, there is a Blue Velvet sense to this film that pushes it over the edge into the quirky dark humor in the midst of troubling character study. It's an enjoyable viewing experience, and I'd have to agree with Roger Ebert who said that it's like "two movies" for the price of one.

Rating:
Summary: I've just sent a man to paradise for the price of thread
Review: This is a wonderful movie! The acting, the script - evrything gels. There is a powerful message about how we treat immigrants both legal and not, or anybody who works a "menial" job. On top of that there is an intriguing mystery, a tender love story, and human drama. One of the best movie's of 2003! It is sublime.

Rating:
Summary: Stephen Frears does it again!
Review: I got dragged to this movie by a friend of mine - I hadn't heard of it and was only partially compelled by the double-thumbs-up it got. Well, I bought my friend dinner afterwards as thanks, it was so good!

I love all kinds of movies, but after a summer of blockbusters with little or no characterization or originality I was ready for an intelligent film. The timing of this film - the end of summer - couldn't have been better and I hope it gets the audience it deserves.

First of all, although critics describe this as a thriller, that term really does this film a disservice. There aren't any of the typical thriller genre cliches such as the evil serial killer, girl with a fatal crush, intense soundtrack, etc. What this movie does is thoroughly and with artistic simplicity portray the plight of people seeking political asylum, a new life, in London, and trying to survive without citizenship status. They take the jobs no one else wants, network for health care from doctors outside the system and cadge temporary places to live out of empty offices.

The actors are all supurb. Audrey Tautou is unrecognizable as the prankster from "Amelie" and Chiwetel Ejiofor exudes integrity combined with puppy-dog eyes.

Also very fun are their friends, a hooker and a mortician with great senses of humor. ("Did you know she's in love with you? I've only known her for 10 minutes and even I know it. But then you know what they say - good at chess, bad at life. I stink at chess.")

This is a subculture that is rarely portrayed, and never so honestly, nakedly. The title suits because the story flips from the pragmatic baring of flesh to check for syphilis; the beautiful Tautou forced to submit to her boss; to a human heart clogging a toilet. But you can't look away.

Stephen Frears is a refreshing director who proves you don't need acrobatic cameras and MTV editing to tell a great, engrossing story. He states things without overstating or understating.

If you're not into think pieces you probably won't enjoy this film. It can probably be enjoyed just as well on a small screen if you wish to wait for video. I found it definitely worth the price of a matinee admission, and don't consider it a full-price, Saturday night date movie at all. No, this is one to see with your smarter friends and analyze afterwards over coffee and pie. Or go see it alone.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Entertainment!!!
Review: If you are used to the typical Hollywood fare, then this movie is not for you. What a wonderful slice of life and funny to boot!
I recommend it very highly. Chiwetel Ejiofor is brilliant as the pensive and beleaguered Nigerian-born doctor who moonlights as a cab driver and hotel clerk.
Audrey Tatou's character is no Amelie, just another dirty pretty thing!

Rating:
Summary: Nothing "Dirty" But "Pretty" Interesting
Review: A man enters a hotel room and finds a flood in the bathroom. As he tries to see what's clogging the toliet he finds a heart inside. This is the beginning of Stephen Frears' "Dirty Pretty Things". It kind of reminds me of David Lynch's "Blue Velvet" where a man finds an ear in an open field.

The man is Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor) he is an illegal immigrant from Nigerian who works in a big London hotel. Now naturally the main thing Okwe wants answered is where did this heart come from? And he soon learns that in the hotel business it's best to keep to himself and not really concern himself with what's going on in the rooms. This comes from his boss Juan (Sergi Lopez).

Now there is also another story going on here also dealing with Okwe. He is living with Senay (Audrey Tautou). Both are having problems with the law. It seems someone has find out that Senay has a job at the same hotel Okwe is working. Normally this wouldn't matter but she is not yet offically a U.S. citizen. And is not allowed to work.

The movie is directed by Stephen Frears and is written by Steve Knight. Because Frears directed it I thought it was going to be thriller. Something in the vain of "The Grifters", a movie I like very much. But, no. "Dirty Pretty Things" is not written like your conventional thriller. It plays off more like a character study of the Okwe character. So there is a certain excitment missing from the movie. But it means to do that. Because the movie is more interested in it's characters and not a formula story-line. I must admit I would of appreciated if it had hints of a more routine thriller. The movie still would of worked.

If there is one fault with the movie it has to do with the acting. Audrey Tautou probably best known to audiences through the French film "Amelie". Her character doesn't seem clearly defined. We get an idea of what type of person she is, but the movie only seems to hint things. Also Sergi Lopez from "An Affair of Love" has a few scenes in the beginning and it looks as if his character will not amount too much. This causes a problem because he is barely used. And his best moments come near the end of the film. And finally Chiwetel Ejiofor just for some reason doesn't seem like "leading man" material to me. I'm not saying there is something wrong with his perfomance. But he doesn't seem like the kind of actor who really commands an audience's attention.

Now I don't want to make it seem like "Dirty Pretty Things" is a bad movie. It has it's moments. Escpecially near the end. And some supporting characters are fun to watch like Juliette (Sohie Okonedo) who is the hotel hooker.

If this movie is playing near you it wouldn't hurt to go see it. Most audiences will enjoy the film. It has a slow pace and gives the Okwe character some depth providing us with some murky info on his past. I should also mention that the movie was nominated for the "Golden Lion" award at the Venice Film Festival. *** 1\2 out of *****

Bottom-line: Enjoyable character study that uses a thriller as it's background. Has nice moments and a fair amount of the acting is enjoyable. Worth while for most audiences.

Rating:
Summary: "WE ARE THE ONES YOU DON'T SEE"
Review: Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is an illegal immigrant living in London who is fleeing a secretive past in Nigeria. He is on the constant run from immigrant officials and must work two jobs just to keep his head above water. He befriends Senay (Audrey Tautou) while working at Hotel Baltic who is also an illegal immigrant from Turkey. One night Okwe finds a human heart in one of the hotel room's toilet. Using his previous knowledge of medicine he begins to solve the case of the mysterious human heart. Along the way his moral and ethical values are constantly challenged as he is confronted with grave decisions.

DIRTY PRETTY THINGS is an intriguing and smart crime thriller and love story all rolled into one. This film does an excellent job revealing the hidden population of illegal immigrants residing in London and all the turmoil and risk they encounter just to not be deported. The strong political and economic themes enrich the plot rather than distract the audience. In addition, the characters are real and the acting is superb. I highly recommend this film.

Rating:
Summary: It Isn't Art Immitating Life, It's Life Refleted in Art
Review: "Dirty Pretty Things" relfects the true plight of undocumented immigrants, not only in the Great Britian; it depicts their constant state of anxiety where ever they land in an attempt to reestablish themselves. It has effective multi-layered drama, uncommon in many films. It goes, somewhat too quickly, however, into subplots and parallels, and the juxapositions of human agony should've been longer to further maturate the characters' personalities.

Nonetheless, the film's richness and its quality, are without peer. Emotional realism systematically appears and reappears throughout the interconneted scenes.

There's the underside of people, greed, "sin," and alienation. There's also ecumenical theology (Islam, Buddism, African beliefs, humanism) functioning as a counterpoint, plus courage not often seen in films focused on people of color; especially in the character of a black man who's the understated "hero" who lives by his convictions and his vocation as a medical doctor -"first do not harm."

Perfection doesn't exist but, I submit, "Dirty Pretty Things" comes rather close!