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Synopsis
Based on the 1990 novel by author/screenwriter Hanif Kureishi (My Beautiful Launderette), this frank, funny BBC mini-series originally ran on UK television in 1993. It is the mid-1970s, and Karim (Andrews) is a teenager of Pakistani descent in London. His office worker father (Seth) suddenly becomes a neighbourhood guru, teaching meditation classes around the neighborhood. Before long, Karim's father has a mistress (Fleetwood), whose son, a glam rocker who is also the coolest kid in school (Mackintosh), Karim finds himself strangely attracted to. Will Karim be able to navigate the confusion of youth and make a mark in theatre? Kureishi's funny and expansive tale, full of interesting characters, is given due treatment here, with a fine soundtrack by David Bowie.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Lucy W
Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase
I remembered Buddha of Suburbia from when I was a teenager, watching it in my room, away from my parents. I remembered the sex and the gay storylines. What I didn't remember was this amazing protrayal of life at the end of the 70s, when hippies turned into punks, idealism into realism, and polical activism into apathy, Asian cultural issues meeting racism, cross cultural marriages etc etc. I love it!!!
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Punk rock, bisexuality and class in the London suburbs - a guide to grabbing life!
8 Dec 2007
By S. Shroff
Format:DVD
The Buddha of Suburbia, based on Hanif Kureishi's first novel brims with punk rock, bisexuality, class and race. All told with a genuine greed for life. Karim, our protagonist, is born in the suburbs of South London, itching to get into the thick of things. Being British and half-Asian gives him the permission to be different, looking at life both from the outside and from within.
The film, with stunning music by David Bowie has all the headiness and the confidence of being happily genuine. Karim tells us again and again that there is nothing worse than being ordinary, confirming to pivet-hedge dullness. Karim experiences a range of characters and crushes - upper-middle class middle-aged bored and wealthy women who see him as an exotic bit of fun to spice up their lives, racist men who are terrified of the effect Karim has on their daughters (and sons), and a range of alternative left-wing activists putting on "alternative" performances who want Karim to alter his British accent so he can convincingly play Mowgli from the Jungle Book to fulfil their fantasies.
Karim is interested in experiencing all these people and everything they have to give him, moving on to more. Although Karim suffers racism and loony politics from both the right and the left, he won't let it stop him from experiencing life. The Buddha of Suburbia shows us how exciting life can be, if only we let it in.
The DVD also captures something of the excitement, high-drama and chaos of Margaret Thatcher's 1980's when Britain undoubtedly became a more modern, decisive and dramatic nation - though some would arguably call it a harsh wake-up. And it captures brilliantly the potential for hot sexy mishap that we can all have within our crawling, safe lives.
The film, with stunning music by David Bowie has all the headiness and the confidence of being happily genuine. Karim tells us again and again that there is nothing worse than being ordinary, confirming to pivet-hedge dullness. Karim experiences a range of characters and crushes - upper-middle class middle-aged bored and wealthy women who see him as an exotic bit of fun to spice up their lives, racist men who are terrified of the effect Karim has on their daughters (and sons), and a range of alternative left-wing activists putting on "alternative" performances who want Karim to alter his British accent so he can convincingly play Mowgli from the Jungle Book to fulfil their fantasies.
Karim is interested in experiencing all these people and everything they have to give him, moving on to more. Although Karim suffers racism and loony politics from both the right and the left, he won't let it stop him from experiencing life. The Buddha of Suburbia shows us how exciting life can be, if only we let it in.
The DVD also captures something of the excitement, high-drama and chaos of Margaret Thatcher's 1980's when Britain undoubtedly became a more modern, decisive and dramatic nation - though some would arguably call it a harsh wake-up. And it captures brilliantly the potential for hot sexy mishap that we can all have within our crawling, safe lives.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
A great piece of drama which also highlights the very colourful 70's, a great time or maybe they were great because they are all those years away! Even so things seemed so different then and I believe The Buddha of Suburbia certainly captured something very real in the way of cultural awareness and with a society very much on the change! Why isn't this on DVD?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great drama.
Such a great BBC drama that is both fun to watch and an interesting view on society. Had not in any way dated with time.
Published 1 month ago by Mr. I. J. Fincher
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nostalgia
Excellent journey back into a simple & somewhat naive times of a nostalgic childhood. There has never been a more creative, innovative & influential period for music since!
Published on 7 Dec 2010 by K. Sian
4.0 out of 5 stars
Buddah of Suburbia, BBC adaptation
This film does reflect the complexity and depth of the characters as they travel through the intricacies of family life, relationships, and social turmoil. Read more
Published on 7 Oct 2010 by Pishoui
4.0 out of 5 stars
excellent film version
Read the book and was delighted to see the film version. Recommend to those who loved the book.
Published on 3 Aug 2010 by Rebecca
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buddha of Suburbia
I have enjoyed this film yet again. It was just as good as the first time that i saw it
Published on 12 Oct 2009 by PBeaumont
5.0 out of 5 stars
The ecology of the mind in an unecological world
A surprising series from the BBC that comes to us from the rather distant time of 1993, but that speaks of the 1970s, the time of punk and the beginning of Margaret Thatcher who... Read more
Published on 27 Oct 2008 by Jacques COULARDEAU
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very entertaining
I read the book last year and loved it. As usual, the film/TV adaptation of a book is never as good, however it is a great story (semi autobiographical I believe) and moves along... Read more
Published on 28 April 2008 by A. M. Golding
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rock and roll 1970s in suburbia
I had been waiting for this DVD for ages, as I fondly remembered many scenes from the original TV series (1993, that was). Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2007 by H. Beentje
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent BBC Production of an excellent book.
This 4 part drama set in the 70's is an excellent portrail of a young man discovering his sexuallity while living in an age of drugs and music. Read more
Published on 2 April 2000
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