East Is East

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable but a little disappointing
Review: I must say, I wasn't too eager to see this film and expected it to be much like the other recent Om Puri film, My Son the Fanatic which I found myself utterly apathetic towards. As it turned out, East is East was rather engaging, often humorous and had some truths about the immigrant's experience although it wasn't especially profound. In the last act, I was dismayed when the domestic violence aspect was introduced and from there the movie began to disappoint. The issue of domestic violence was no more relevant to this situation as it is to any other and nothing in the disposition of Puri's character to that point indicated that he would cross the line and nothing in his wife's disposition suggested that she would stand for it. The imposition of a person's will on their children or spouse in such situations is usually through guilt and manipulation and the film would have been more interesting and intelligent had it stayed in that realm. Even when the domestic violence occurs, the film doesn't commit to exploring the issue to the extent deserved and begins to inject a variety of comic relief instead. To be honest, I didn't even realize that it was set in 1971. I thought the disco, clothing, hair and whatnot were part of some retro styling. Certainly the xenophobia is largely as true now as it was then.

Rating:
Summary: The Best English Movie About South Asians
Review: Reminiscent of Buddha of Suburbia (again, what's with these horny dogs?), the acting is EXCELLENT throughout. The humour, the emotional scenes, the father's fear, anger, and confusion and shame are all brought out so tactfully, without cliche, providing for a touching and thoroughly entertaining piece about Pakistanis in London in the early 70s.

Rating:
Summary: Funny, laughing, bloody need to see movie
Review: Great movie packed with fun for all. Om Puri is really cool and funny. A good story mixed with rommantic comedy. Some phares and dialogues will make you laugh.A good entertaining movie.

Rating:
Summary: bloody good
Review: very funny ,witty,excellant go see it

Rating:
Summary: Manchester Masala
Review: Inspired performances highlight this "culture-clash" comedy-drama that vascillates (a bit uncomfortably at times) between "Nil By Mouth" and "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner". First time director Damien O'Donnell appears to have gone to the Mike Leigh school, displaying a similar gift for very believable and affecting character development. Om Puri (largely unknown to Western audiences but a highly respected international actor) is superb as the harried patriarch of a Pakistani-English family in 1971 Manchester. Linda Bassett also shines as his English wife. The youngest son steals every scene he's in- with his ubiquitous hooded parka and a penchant for consistently bad timing, he comes off like a real-life "Kenny" from "South Park". Be cautioned: while there are a lot of chuckles here, there are also realistic depictions of domestic violence that some might find unsettling; however it is important to the story's arc. A very rewarding film.

Rating:
Summary: A NICE LITTLE BRITISH NUMBER
Review: Taking in over £10 million at the UK box office, its no wonder this DVD is all the hype. With extra features such as deleted scenes, interviews with the cast and crew, behind the scenes footage, theatrical trailer and TV spots it's worth having this DVD for these alone. Based on a semi- autobiographical play by writer Ayub Khan Din this award winning comedy gives us an insight into the Anglo- Asian clash in 1970's Salford. George Khan ( Om Puri) is a Pakistani immigrant who owns a chip shop and tries to force his seven English born children to follow the traditional Pakistani ways. This film is both funny and tragic as the harsh scenes of domestic violence are placed alongside British humour, which at times both are very stereo typical and do often portray the Asian culture in a bad light. Still with its tongue firmly in cheek 'East is East' is not one to be missed. One of the best comedies I have seen in ages. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much. Want to have a good laugh? Then click and order this one now!

Rating:
Summary: Funny movie.
Review: I was very pleased after watching this movie. Om Puri and the rest of the cast have done a marvellous job acting out the scenes.

Rating:
Summary: Good film on clashes. Worth your attention.
Review: This film is able to capture not only inter-generational conflict, a theme arising in many millennial films, but also the inter-cultural clash in families. The clash happens in a British Asian family, and more subtilely- and just as interestingly- in a British Caucasian family. The film was promoted particularly for its humor, and it certainly was very funny at times. However, the moments of resentment and violence make this a more somber film and a category of its own. Perhaps that is what makes this film so good--it cannot easily be fit into a particular type and is able to weave together substantial themes in a comedy-drama.

Rating:
Summary: Not the light hearted british cinema romp I was expecting...
Review: I really don't mean to hate on all the movies I've seen lately. And don't be all that surprised at that positive review of Freaky Friday...yeah, it was a remake, cliche, and all that, but it was clever and--oh...*ahem*.

East is East was advertised as a comedy, and starts out light and comedic--but slowly worms its way through more and more uncomfortable territory. The ride is fun along the way, though I had a bit of a time sorting out characters and their relations.

The Conservative Father seems to be the nexis of the culture clash at the heart of the story. He starts out as a sort of lovable Apu character--and then takes the rest of the film down with him as he devolves into a monster, complicating instead of resolving the central conflict at heart in the film.

Towards the end, the actors tend to get more melodramatic, the situation more patently absurd (without providing additional entertainment value--it sort of sets up a joke and then punching you in the face, instead of delivering a punchline.), and even what should have been a hilarious ending ends up getting trampled upon.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellant Film About the Clash of Cultures
Review: I was somewhat sceptical when I first heard about this movie. I was worried that this was just another excuse to make fun of white people, as seems to be the formula for most ethnic movies now. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this film, its humour and its message. Although it is presented as a comedy, its laughs thinly disguise a message of adaption to culture and tolerance. I enjoyed that they kids are from both the white culture and the Indian culture, as I am. People like me and the kids in this movie are in a tough spot because they have to choose what they want to be and it is hard to be both. This movie presented this dilemma in a surprisingly intelligent manner.
I would recommed this movie to anyone. It's really fun and colourful.
Also, to the kid who didnt' like this movie because they eat bacon and they're not supposed to. Well, that's the whole point. They eat the bacon but they have to get rid of the smell so their devout father won't find out. The children aren't as interested in religion as their father is.