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.
Rating: 
Summary: The gentle humor adds to the humanity of this fine film
Review: The theme of immigrant children rejecting traditional values is a common one. But in this 1997 British gem, there's a twist. This screenplay, by Hanif Kuresshi, tells a story of a Pakistani-British taxicab driver whose only son reverts to Moslem fundamentalism much to his father's displeasure. It's a modern story, and we've all become painfully aware of these issues lately. Om Puri, with his weathered pock-marked face, has the ability to create a character that is easy to identify with. He's a foreigner, the victim of racial prejudice. He has also become alienated from his family. And yet, he is bursting with vitality and is full of wisdom. When his son breaks his engagement with an English girl and turns to fundamentalism, he's horrified as it is against the basic principles of the secular life he has chosen for himself. He has nobody to turn to as a friend with the exception of Rachel Griffiths, cast in the role of a prostitute he chauffeurs around. She, too, is alienated, and as their relationship grows, the story become more complex. Many of the scenes are shot inside the cab, and even though it took me a few minutes to get adjusted to the fact that the driver's seat is on the right in England, it really gave me the feeling of what a cabdriver's day-to-day life is like. The cross-cultural conflicts are sharp and grating as the son invites a visiting holy man to stay in their house and the young extremists demonstrate for moral decency. I could certainly identify with the father's dilemma as he grappled with his own complex moral choices. There's gentle humor too, and it adds to the humanity of the film, although I could never call it a comedy. It's simply an offbeat story with some unlikely people dealing with very real issues. Definitely recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The gentle humor adds to the humanity of this fine film
Review: The theme of immigrant children rejecting traditional values is a common one. But in this 1997 British gem, there's a twist. This screenplay, by Hanif Kuresshi, tells a story of a Pakistani-British taxicab driver whose only son reverts to Moslem fundamentalism much to his father's displeasure. It's a modern story, and we've all become painfully aware of these issues lately. Om Puri, with his weathered pock-marked face, has the ability to create a character that is easy to identify with. He's a foreigner, the victim of racial prejudice. He has also become alienated from his family. And yet, he is bursting with vitality and is full of wisdom. When his son breaks his engagement with an English girl and turns to fundamentalism, he's horrified as it is against the basic principles of the secular life he has chosen for himself. He has nobody to turn to as a friend with the exception of Rachel Griffiths, cast in the role of a prostitute he chauffeurs around. She, too, is alienated, and as their relationship grows, the story become more complex. Many of the scenes are shot inside the cab, and even though it took me a few minutes to get adjusted to the fact that the driver's seat is on the right in England, it really gave me the feeling of what a cabdriver's day-to-day life is like. The cross-cultural conflicts are sharp and grating as the son invites a visiting holy man to stay in their house and the young extremists demonstrate for moral decency. I could certainly identify with the father's dilemma as he grappled with his own complex moral choices. There's gentle humor too, and it adds to the humanity of the film, although I could never call it a comedy. It's simply an offbeat story with some unlikely people dealing with very real issues. Definitely recommended.
Rating:
Summary: If only more movies were this good
Review: What a great story. It's emotionally and ethically complex, but never pedantic or pandering. Everyone involved in designing and realizing this film is on top of their game. I loved it.
Rating:
Summary: If only more movies were this good
Review: What a great story. It's emotionally and ethically complex, but never pedantic or pandering. Everyone involved in designing and realizing this film is on top of their game. I loved it.
Rating: 
Summary: Slightly flawed gem...
Review: You might want to rent the film first before you buy the DVD--though I didn't and don't regret it. It was hyped as a "funny" film, but I did not laugh much, though it is very very wry. The story takes place in London, England and most of the characters are Pakistani immigrants or their children. Two exceptions are the Scottish(?) prostitute played by Rachel Griffins (Betinna, aka Sandra) and the German businessman played by Stellen Skaarsgard. If you have any problems understanding accents this film could drive you mad. The German business man says "I speak better English than you" to the Pakistanni taxi driver, and since he has a heavy German accent be warned. Although the story takes place among Pakistanni immigrants living in modern Britain, it could have been any non-English group of immigrants with 'different' religious convictions (Mennonites, Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormans). These folks just happen to be Muslim. Although assimilation is the background issue, the story is more complex. The core issue the film explores is "What is a good man?" At one point, Parvez the father says to his son Farid, "There are many ways to be a good man." The son is unhappy with his life as a second generation Muslim living in London, and turns to what he believes are his roots. The father abandoned these roots long ago, and has no inclination to revisit them. The two of them inevitably clash. Eventually, the son discovers his father has a very unorthodox relationship with a prostitute named Bettina. And, the father is involved in activities the son describes as 'pimping.' It's hard not to sympathize with the son's disillusionment and disappointment, and yet the son seems bent on taking up a new life style that is equally harsh where women are concerned. Is it better to be a man who helps his female friend the whore acquire clients, or better to be the man who spits in the faces of women, burns down brothels, and makes his mother enshroud herself and eat alone in the kitchen? This is a complex morality play.
Rating:
Summary: Slightly flawed gem...
Review: You might want to rent the film first before you buy the DVD--though I didn't and don't regret it. It was hyped as a "funny" film, but I did not laugh much, though it is very very wry. The story takes place in London, England and most of the characters are Pakistani immigrants or their children. Two exceptions are the Scottish(?) prostitute played by Rachel Griffins (Betinna, aka Sandra) and the German businessman played by Stellen Skaarsgard. If you have any problems understanding accents this film could drive you mad. The German business man says "I speak better English than you" to the Pakistanni taxi driver, and since he has a heavy German accent be warned. Although the story takes place among Pakistanni immigrants living in modern Britain, it could have been any non-English group of immigrants with 'different' religious convictions (Mennonites, Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormans). These folks just happen to be Muslim. Although assimilation is the background issue, the story is more complex. The core issue the film explores is "What is a good man?" At one point, Parvez the father says to his son Farid, "There are many ways to be a good man." The son is unhappy with his life as a second generation Muslim living in London, and turns to what he believes are his roots. The father abandoned these roots long ago, and has no inclination to revisit them. The two of them inevitably clash. Eventually, the son discovers his father has a very unorthodox relationship with a prostitute named Bettina. And, the father is involved in activities the son describes as 'pimping.' It's hard not to sympathize with the son's disillusionment and disappointment, and yet the son seems bent on taking up a new life style that is equally harsh where women are concerned. Is it better to be a man who helps his female friend the whore acquire clients, or better to be the man who spits in the faces of women, burns down brothels, and makes his mother enshroud herself and eat alone in the kitchen? This is a complex morality play.
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