Skip to main content

Dirty Pretty Things (2002)

Dirty Pretty Things (2002) movie poster

Dirty Pretty Things is a 2002 British drama film directed by Stephen Frears and written by Steven Knight, a drama about two immigrants in London staring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Okwe and Audrey Tautou as Senay Gelik. It was produced by BBC Films and Celador Films. It's Audrey Tautou's first English-speaking role.The first film from Celador, the company behind TV quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (1998). Steven Knight, co-creator of the hit show, also wrote the script for Dirty Pretty Things.

An illegal Nigerian immigrant discovers the unpalatable side of London life.

freddy and krasnaya movie review
***SPOILER ALERT***

K: After having a discussion at the dinner table about how welcoming England is to emigrants, we ended up our evening watching this movie... about emigrants and their lives in England. So, Freddy, now you still think that they are truly welcome in there?

F: Krasnaya, first of all, we were talking mostly about France... and yep, I still think England is one of the most open-minded and welcoming countries in the world. Maybe a little less now because of Brexit, but that's just based on some snippets I've seen on the news about some racist guy yelling at people on the bus. What do I know, really? My subjective experience is very small; never been there, had some friends who moved there and still haven't come back, even with all the rain and shitty weather. Maybe this Wikipedia article can give us more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_immigration_to_the_United_Kingdom. Anyway, this wasn't a documentary film that could change my opinions on the subject. Dark and sad stuff happens everywhere and now I have a better idea where to find kidneys. If I ever need one, I will search for illegal immigrants around hotels run by Spanish guys. Now let's talk about the movie.

what's in the toilet?

F: This was Chiwetel Ejiofor's debut on the big screen, and what a great debut! This guy's performance is amazing and immediately I felt empathy and sympathy for the Khat chewing Nigerian. And what about Sergi López (Juan)? The total opposite, it's soooo easy to hate that guy! Tautou (Senay) is also great. Great casting was done here.

K: About the cast. Yeah! I totally agree! Again - BRAVO! Every character is so unique and vivid. Everyone can make you feel something. As you said, really warm feelings for Okwe and 100% disgust for that Spanish hotelier. I didn't know about Chiwetel Ejiofor and his debut! WOW! I'm looking forward to seeing him in other roles. Audrey Tautou is actually one of my favorite modern actresses and here she's wonderful, playing a Turkish woman that runs away from her home country to show that she's independent and can live according to the Muslim religion in a foreign place.


K: I spent some time thinking and rethinking after the movie. The thing I understand for myself again is that it's very hard to find a place on earth where other people will be glad to see a "new" neighbor, and how lucky you are if you find such welcoming people. I will stop here with my own thoughts. This is a MUST SEE movie for me, and I was picking up scabs from my heart at the end of it. The genre is drama and thriller, and the director, Stephen Frears, did his job wonderfully. Every scene is in the right place. I wouldn't leave any chapter out. All this is accomplished with amazing music that dives you into the action and makes you feel goosebumps, fear, anger and so on. The most surprising part is that you can't see almost any British people in the movie; all the characters are immigrants. They all have different "status" and some of them already name themselves "British". In one scene, you can see immigration police hunting for people. This is already enough to understand how difficult it is for immigrants to survive... but this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Immigration police

F: It's a movie worth watching, and better viewed if you don't know anything about the plot. There's great suspense and mystery that will keep you entertained until the last moment. Now let me see where I can find some of those Khat leaves...

Krasnaya's Score: 93/100
Freddy's Score: 81/100
Labels:

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 31, 2022 at 9:20 PM

    Very interesting content 😃😃👍🏻

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Flow (2024)

Plot Summary: A stray cat navigates a post-apocalyptic flood, forming unexpected bonds with other animals as they struggle to survive in an ever-changing world. Without dialogue or anthropomorphism, the film delivers an emotional journey of resilience and adaptation. Director: Gints Zilbalodis Producer: Matīss Kaža, Gints Zilbalodis, Ron Dyens, Gregory Zalcman Screenplay: Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Video Game or a Movie? And we’re back! Still haven’t finished my Frank Oz filmography (only two movies to go!), but hey, when do I even have time to watch movies alone anymore? So, here we are again with another animated feature. This time, it’s Flow by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, a film that has racked up awards and was entirely made using Blender. At first, I was worried. The opening scene ...
Post a Comment
Click to read

The Score (2001)

Plot Summary: Nick Wells, a veteran safe-cracker ready to retire and settle with his girlfriend Diane, is pulled into one last heist by his fence Max. Partnered with ambitious thief Jack Teller, they aim to steal a priceless French scepter from the Montreal Customs House, facing tension, trust issues, and betrayal. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Gary Foster, Lee Rich Screenplay: Kario Salem (story and screenplay), Daniel E. Taylor (story), Lem Dobbs, Scott Marshall Smith Starring: Robert De Niro as  Nick Wells Edward Norton as Jack Teller/Brian Marlon Brando as Max,  Angela Bassett as Diane   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Heist Worth the Hype Finally got around to continuing my Frank Oz film journey, and tonight’s pick was The Score. A two-hour-and-forty-minute heist flick that I had been saving for when I had some serious s...
Post a Comment
Click to read

10 Lives (2024)

Plot Summary: Beckett, a spoiled and selfish housecat, takes his nine lives for granted. After recklessly losing his final life, he is granted ten more—but with a catch. Director: Chris Jenkins Producers: Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon, Ash Brannon, Ernesto Matamoros, Leland Cox Screenplay: Chris Jenkins, Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon Starring: Mo Gilligan as Beckett Simone Ashley as Rose Ashley Sophie Okonedo as Grace Zayn Malik as Kirk and Cameron Dylan Llewellyn as Larry Llewellyn Jeremy Swift as Happy Bill Nighy as Professor Richard Craven   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Nine Lives Too Many Saturday afternoon with 10 Lives, directed by Christopher Jenkins. Jenkins has been in animation since at least 1988, starting as an effects animator on Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Now he brings us this 2024 film about Beckett, a selfish cat who loses his las...
Post a Comment
Click to read

Robot Dreams (2023)

Plot Summary: In 1980s NYC, a lonely dog buys a robot for companionship. After an accident separates them, both embark on journeys of longing, growth, and self-discovery, leading to an emotional conclusion. Director: Pablo Berger Producer: Arcadia Motion Pictures, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso Screenplay: Pablo Berger (based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon) Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Robot, A Dog, and a Lot of Feelings Another Sunday, another animated movie—this time, the critically acclaimed Robot Dreams, an adaptation of the book by Sara Varon. Right off the bat, this animation stands out with its slick flat-color style and complete lack of dialogue. It creates a beautifully detailed world where there’s always something to miss on the first watch. Set in a vibrant 1980s New York City populated by hundreds of ...
Post a Comment
Click to read

King of the Children (1987)

Plot Summary: Set during China's Cultural Revolution, The King of Children tells the story of Lao Gan, an educated youth sent to a remote village in the Yunnan-Guizhou region to work as a teacher. Director: Chen Kaige Producers: Xi'An Film Studio Screenplay: Adapted from Ah Cheng's novella with the same name Starring: Xie Yuan as Lao Gan Chen Shaohua as Principal Chen Yang Xuewen as Wang Fu   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Jumping Into Chinese Cinema Blindfolded Hey everyone. So, back in January, the internet had a little moment, and suddenly, millions of Americans rushed to a Chinese social media app called Red Note. I got curious, joined in, and ended up discovering a whole new world of culture thanks to some incredibly welcoming Chinese users. Naturally, I decided to ask for movie recommendations, and wow, they flooded in. But despite all the amazing suggestion...
Post a Comment
Click to read

Muppet Guys Talking (2017)

Plot Summary: *Muppet Guys Talking* is a delightful and intimate documentary where legendary Muppet performers come together to share behind-the-scenes stories, their creative process, and heartfelt memories of working with Jim Henson. Directed by Frank Oz, this candid conversation between the original Muppet team offers humor, nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the art of puppetry and storytelling. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Victoria Labalme, Frank Oz Cast: Frank Oz as Himself Jerry Nelson as Himself Fran Brill as Herself Bill Barretta as Himself Dave Goelz as Himself   Sesame Street and My Childhood Escape To wrap up Frank Oz’s filmography, what better way than with the ultra-casual, heartwarming documentary Muppet Guys Talking? Now, I’ve mentioned before that I was never a hardcore Muppets fan, but Sesame Street? That was a different stor...
Post a Comment
Click to read