Rating: 
Summary: Ultimately a Ghetto Love Story - and an excellent one.....
Review: 'My Son the Fanatic' is a tremendous film. The power & message of the film was surely powerful in 1998. But in my American winter of 2002, this film strikes deep. I've been to the Docklands, Hackney & Vauxhall - this film captures the base racism & grime of marginal London, never as an excuse, but as a living fact, and never a wall to what really matters. Love, Truth, or what seems to be. There isn't a Soul in this film who isn't searching for those same things. But sadly, they search for it with very different dreams.The beauty of this film is its careful study of loneliness, and how a handful of isolated poor forgotten people dream in so very different ways. Some look for it in drugs, prostitution, simply surviving, or the Purity of Islamic Fundamentalism. And/Or just simply Living, and making it Work. In this movie, all moral choices collide, the participants are that close to making it work. None of them are wholly wrong. I'll reveal no more, just to say that the camera-work is lively and excellent. The pacing is good, the message is so alive, this film deserves to be seen. It raises troubling questions about Terrorism and Fanaticism, and answers none. But that is the honest confused place we all find ourselves. It's 2002, it's up to your heart where you go from here... This film perectly captures one world. What's yours?
Rating:
Summary: Ultimately a Ghetto Love Story - and an excellent one.....
Review: 'My Son the Fanatic' is a tremendous film. The power & message of the film was surely powerful in 1998. But in my American winter of 2002, this film strikes deep. I've been to the Docklands, Hackney & Vauxhall - this film captures the base racism & grime of marginal London, never as an excuse, but as a living fact, and never a wall to what really matters. Love, Truth, or what seems to be. There isn't a Soul in this film who isn't searching for those same things. But sadly, they search for it with very different dreams. The beauty of this film is its careful study of loneliness, and how a handful of isolated poor forgotten people dream in so very different ways. Some look for it in drugs, prostitution, simply surviving, or the Purity of Islamic Fundamentalism. And/Or just simply Living, and making it Work. In this movie, all moral choices collide, the participants are that close to making it work. None of them are wholly wrong. I'll reveal no more, just to say that the camera-work is lively and excellent. The pacing is good, the message is so alive, this film deserves to be seen. It raises troubling questions about Terrorism and Fanaticism, and answers none. But that is the honest confused place we all find ourselves. It's 2002, it's up to your heart where you go from here... This film perectly captures one world. What's yours?
Rating: 
Summary: A Grand & Mildly Corrective Movie
Review: All five stars. This extraordinarily sane/charming movie is superior, in all ways, to current commercial/artsy mainstream fare. A simple narrative about the wages of righteousness, fairly straightly/humbly crafted? Huh? But as movies that respect narrative/character/idea disappear, an absence of bloody cool wit & obvious technical dazzle can be extremely refreshing? No solutions here, but beautiful unanswerable questions. Wonderfully calm performances by Om Puri & Rachel Griffiths. A deep bow to Hanif Kureishi for writing it & to Udayan Prasad for directing it so plainly/elegantly. Knowing how to get out of the way of story is not so elementary as some imagine? No limits to application of the fable. Wherever we live, & however, extravagant righteousness destroys fun, fondness, life itself.
Rating:
Summary: A fine screen play
Review: In a small city in the English midlands, a Pakistani immigrant named Parvez (Om Puri) works long hours driving a cab to provide modest comfort for his disapproving wife, Minoo (Gopi Desai), and better opportunities for his collegiate son, Farid (Akbar Kurtha). When Farid breaks off his engagement with the daughter of the city's white police commissioner, drops out of university and joins a cell of Islamic fundamentalists, Parvez must bide his time and hope that his son will come around to his own liberal, assimilationist views. Meanwhile, a monied German entrepreneur named Schitz (Stellan Skarsgard) arrives in town on business and retains Parvez's services as not only driver but navigator of the city's steamy underbelly. Parvez recommends the services of Bettina (Rachel Griffiths), a local hooker with whom he has struck up an unlikely but warm friendship. Schitz's callous treatment of both of his new employees soon, however, sickens Parvez. After his son convinces Parvez to let a visiting holy man move into the family home, the conflicts between Parvez's nocturnal activities and his home life escalate. The screenplay was adapted by Hanif Kureishi from his own short story, I read the novel and felt the movie was very true to the text. Of all the characters I felt that Om Puri and Akbar Kurta did a marvelous job.
Rating: 
Summary: Can cultures intermix?
Review: Islamic fundamentalism and western hedonism collide in Hanif Kureishi's film "My Son the Fanatic", wich takes place in the small English town of Bradford. The film was a huge hit in the 1997 Cannes film festival. It's intriquing way of combining comedy and drama earned it the Official Selection. "My Son the Fanatic" gives us a peak to the life of Parvez, an Indian-Brittish taxi-driver, who doesn't care much about his roots, but is very fond of the western way of life. He befriends with the lower class of his town, eventually falling in love with a prostitute. His son, Farid, represents a very different kind of thinking. He opposes the western way of living recklessly and seeks order. This leads to him leaving his English fiancé and joining a group of islamic fundamentalists. The film that begins as a light comedy turns into serious drama as Parvez and Farid collide in their different ways of viewing life. Parvez's worry about his son and his long-dead marriage to his traditional Indian wife who doesn't approve of him mingling with criminals and prostitutes etc. offers us meaningfull moments, wich carry the deep characters through situations. The film speaks for open mindedness, showing that a prostitute can be a good person and that a religious fanatic is always someones child. It offers much to think about while questioning common prejudiousness. The adequate acting performances and Udayan Prasad's talented directing support Hanif Kureishi's insightfull script, wich unfortunately, or perhaps intentionally, is left a bit superficial. "My Son the Fanatic" shows us that cultures can indeed intermix, and I recommend it strongly, especially at these times. To quote Parvez: "Farid tells me cultures can't be combined. Jesus! You can't keep them apart!"
Rating:
Summary: Can cultures intermix?
Review: Islamic fundamentalism and western hedonism collide in Hanif Kureishi's film "My Son the Fanatic", wich takes place in the small English town of Bradford. The film was a huge hit in the 1997 Cannes film festival. It's intriquing way of combining comedy and drama earned it the Official Selection. "My Son the Fanatic" gives us a peak to the life of Parvez, an Indian-Brittish taxi-driver, who doesn't care much about his roots, but is very fond of the western way of life. He befriends with the lower class of his town, eventually falling in love with a prostitute. His son, Farid, represents a very different kind of thinking. He opposes the western way of living recklessly and seeks order. This leads to him leaving his English fiancé and joining a group of islamic fundamentalists. The film that begins as a light comedy turns into serious drama as Parvez and Farid collide in their different ways of viewing life. Parvez's worry about his son and his long-dead marriage to his traditional Indian wife who doesn't approve of him mingling with criminals and prostitutes etc. offers us meaningfull moments, wich carry the deep characters through situations. The film speaks for open mindedness, showing that a prostitute can be a good person and that a religious fanatic is always someones child. It offers much to think about while questioning common prejudiousness. The adequate acting performances and Udayan Prasad's talented directing support Hanif Kureishi's insightfull script, wich unfortunately, or perhaps intentionally, is left a bit superficial. "My Son the Fanatic" shows us that cultures can indeed intermix, and I recommend it strongly, especially at these times. To quote Parvez: "Farid tells me cultures can't be combined. Jesus! You can't keep them apart!"
Rating:
Summary: A TRUE MARVEL WITH COMPLEX BUT REAL CHARACTERS
Review: Made in 1997 (ps: pre-911) it is remarkable how a movie so simple in its narrative, and so in the shadow of critical cinema, could depict such smack-dab nuances of eastern immigrants at odds with a western setting or how the cultural assimilation of trans-national immigrants doesn't always look like a rainbow colored day at the beach. But despite that seemingly ho-hum central tack, there are many conflicts studied very poignantly -- modern versus mediaeval, father versus son, fidelity versus emotional satisfaction, ethnic conservatism (ok, fanaticism) versus open minded cosmopolitanism, Good House Husband versus Bad Man Who Befriends Prostitutes, Decent Living Taxi Driver versus Someone Who Became Filthy Rich...and each is sublte yet hard-hitting in its simplicity. Without giving away too much about the plot, there is no ordinary character in the movie, certainly no ordinary Muslim. The father (Parvez, played wonderfully by Om Puri) is a cabbie who flirts about in a relationship with a streetside floozy whom he finds more uplifting (no pun intended) than his standpat wife back home who disapproves of his free-wheeling ways and even finds his interests in jazz "too trumpety". The other Muslim, the son, is at loggerheads with his peers in throes of non-acceptance and instead gets inveigled into Islamic fundamentalism as an escape. This contrast is very, very credible, real and amusing. Particularly noteworthy are Udayan's idiosynchratic implications about what constitutes "right" or "wrong" character. Parvez's prostitute girlfriend has a loving heart, a sharp mind and a vivacious presence despite her ostracization from the Good People Club. The son and his other right-wing Islamic acolyte buddies come off as annoyingly childish in a thoughtless "promiscuity" of their own. For instance, they invite a Pakistani Maulvi to sermonize/"guide", and a hilarious TRUE moment pops up when the Maulvi requests the non-approving father for some help with his immigration into England. Another VERY, VERY quiet 5 second scene that leaves an indelible impact is the depiction of male chauvinism dominating orthodox Islam where Parvez's wife is huddled in the kitchen for dinner, behind a closed door, and refuses to come out to dine with the men of the house in fear of doing something "inappropriate" in the presence of the supposed Maulvi. The movie has many light-hearted moments and the cinematography is unexpectedly stunning. All this emotional, moral tussle between father, son, wife, romantic interest etc leads to a denouement that is hardly a resolution of sorts but is deeply moving. Everyone makes a choice (and I found the choice of Parvez's wife particularly startling) in favor of freedom from personal and social shackles. Made me think for days and recommend this movie to everyone I care about. This is probably not your average East Meets West type ethnic take and certainly not a look into typical Muslim life as it makes no pretense of being. Yet, as a movie that tackles very touching, very identifiable themes of how simple convictions about life and love can sway people into/away from relationships, it comes HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from me.
Rating:
Summary: A Fanatic Son, A Permissive Father, A Fine Film
Review: My Son the Fanatic is a queer and original coming-of-age piece; written primarily from the parents' perspective about their collegiate son's rebelliousness against mass culture and his libertine father, and his retreat into a stark conservatism. Written by ethnic Pakistani, but native Englander, Hanif Kureishi, he defies stereotype with this adaptation of his own work. Not unlike the way Bill Buckley usurps the old canard about conservatives' lack of humor, Kureishi fleshes out his characters in most unexpected ways, with wit and style. It is the story of Parved, who emigrated his family from Pakistan thirty years earlier to give them the liberty and opportunity. He is a progressive who listens to jazz/blues and enjoys a stiff drink. He swore off the religious teaching of his youth to pursue work and is now finding his son, Farid, is rebelling against the excesses of immoral capitalism and sliding deeper into fundamentalist Islamic teaching. He's an evangelical Muslim, trying to convert his father amongst others, and even invites a holy teacher (Maulvi) to stay in his father's home. Parved makes his living as a cabbie and moonlights as a transport for a prostitute named Battina. She is his only true communication source, as his wife is cold and his son is growing ever distant. Around her, he can loop his thumbs through his suspenders, puff his tummy out, and tell proud stories of his son and his schooling. Battina is understanding of him and has a bond with Parved, nothing like a typical pimp/harlot relationship. They move in different circles to be sure, he in his middle-aged ethnic class (with a best friend that is a restaurateur) and she living in a house with desperate - and drug addicted - streetwalkers. Though it doesn't sound it, the piece is not without moments of humor: while Farid organizes his jingoistic disturbances against the imperial Western government, Parved gets a call from a German businessman who wants to procure Battina's services. He promises to be right there as the sounds of a revolution ring from his kitchen. The film touches on cultural relativism and imperialism in a way that would be impossible for a team that was not made up of immigrants and I regret to report that Miramax distributed the film terribly. A film this unique needs a dexterous touch when marketing and the Oscar-gobblers at Miramax dropped the ball on this. A shame too, because My Son The Fanatic is a witty, well-written and finely acted piece of work, that few have seen.
Rating:
Summary: A Fanatic Son, A Permissive Father, A Fine Film
Review: My Son the Fanatic is a queer and original coming-of-age piece; written primarily from the parents' perspective about their collegiate son's rebelliousness against mass culture and his libertine father, and his retreat into a stark conservatism. Written by ethnic Pakistani, but native Englander, Hanif Kureishi, he defies stereotype with this adaptation of his own work. Not unlike the way Bill Buckley usurps the old canard about conservatives' lack of humor, Kureishi fleshes out his characters in most unexpected ways, with wit and style. It is the story of Parved, who emigrated his family from Pakistan thirty years earlier to give them the liberty and opportunity. He is a progressive who listens to jazz/blues and enjoys a stiff drink. He swore off the religious teaching of his youth to pursue work and is now finding his son, Farid, is rebelling against the excesses of immoral capitalism and sliding deeper into fundamentalist Islamic teaching. He's an evangelical Muslim, trying to convert his father amongst others, and even invites a holy teacher (Maulvi) to stay in his father's home. Parved makes his living as a cabbie and moonlights as a transport for a prostitute named Battina. She is his only true communication source, as his wife is cold and his son is growing ever distant. Around her, he can loop his thumbs through his suspenders, puff his tummy out, and tell proud stories of his son and his schooling. Battina is understanding of him and has a bond with Parved, nothing like a typical pimp/harlot relationship. They move in different circles to be sure, he in his middle-aged ethnic class (with a best friend that is a restaurateur) and she living in a house with desperate - and drug addicted - streetwalkers. Though it doesn't sound it, the piece is not without moments of humor: while Farid organizes his jingoistic disturbances against the imperial Western government, Parved gets a call from a German businessman who wants to procure Battina's services. He promises to be right there as the sounds of a revolution ring from his kitchen. The film touches on cultural relativism and imperialism in a way that would be impossible for a team that was not made up of immigrants and I regret to report that Miramax distributed the film terribly. A film this unique needs a dexterous touch when marketing and the Oscar-gobblers at Miramax dropped the ball on this. A shame too, because My Son The Fanatic is a witty, well-written and finely acted piece of work, that few have seen.
Rating:
Summary: Father and Son
Review: Somewhat similar to movies like "Bend It Like Beckam" or "East is East", "My Son the Fanatic" is an interesting effort that wisely approaches subjects like the generational gap, the clash of cultures, family ties and social disorder. Presenting a credible and realistic atmosphere with solid acting (Om Puri is particularly great), compelling characters, witty dialogue, a good plot and a fine mix between drama and comedy, this cinematic experience doesn`t quite reach classic status but manages to deliver a strong and convincing movie. The pacing is a bit uneven, though, and some more comedy-oriented moments wouldn`t hurt. Still, a good flick nonetheless. Recommended.
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