What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
A surprise hit internationally, Damien O'Donnell's feature debut is a warm, richly funny portrait of the cultural and emotional collisions of a multiracial family in 1971 Salford, where curry meets fish-and-chips and the threat of a spacehopper lurks around every corner. Adapted by Ayub Khan-Din from his own stage play, the film centres on Pakistani immigrant George Khan (huge Bollywood star Om Puri) still deeply attached to the moral and political mores of his homeland, but married to Englishwoman Ella (Linda Bassett). Despite her protestations, Khan is adamant their six sons and daughter, raised to respect traditional Muslim values, must enter into arranged marriages. Meanwhile, the children are more intent on pursuing the secret pleasures of interracial dating, bacon sandwiches and midnight forays to the nearest club.
O'Donnell's direction fully exploits the often bawdy humour in the family's everyday struggles, while bringing an unexpected emotional punch to the scenes of violent confrontation which erupt as Khan becomes ever more dictatorial. The film also maintains comic momentum and dramatic intensity throughout thanks to excellent performances by Puri, Bassett and the remaining cast, including soap stars Chris Bisson (Coronation Street) and Jimi Mistry (EastEnders). Against a backdrop of 1970s pop culture, the many highlights include an oversexed dog and a giant sculpted pudenda.
Product Description
Salford, 1971 and Pakistani chip shop owner George Khan (Om Puri) lives with his white wife Ella (Linda Bassett) and their seven children. George wants to raise his children as devout Muslims, but things go wrong when his eldest son Nazir (Ian Aspinall) flees his arranged marriage midway through the ceremony. Undeterred, George plans a marriage for his son Tariq (Jimi Mistry), but when Tariq discovers what is happening he rebels against his father, and the future of the family is plunged into doubt.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By FAMOUS NAME
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
East Is East is nothing less than a masterpiece!
This film is appealing to so many people for so many different reasons. I am someone who is not that keen on modern films - not least because of their violence, crudity and constant flow of unnecessary bad language; however, despite what can only be described as this film's appallingly frequent and 'filthy' dialogue, it incredibly does not detract from what is otherwise a very sensitive and altogether 'human' story, and indeed contributes to much of the comedy and humour of the movie throughout. Anyone like myself who is old enough to have lived through 1971 will appreciate the sheer mastery at which the cast were able to recreate that particular era to utter perfection.
Unlike so many movies - including great ones, there is no 'pause' within this film where you are bored - not even for a minute whilst awaiting the next entertaining moment; each scene is superb! I've already watched this title six times to date, and will no doubt view it many, many more times to come, and still enjoy it.
Highly recommended to all - even to those who do not normally care for bad language, and the odd bit of domestic violence.
Enjoy!
This film is appealing to so many people for so many different reasons. I am someone who is not that keen on modern films - not least because of their violence, crudity and constant flow of unnecessary bad language; however, despite what can only be described as this film's appallingly frequent and 'filthy' dialogue, it incredibly does not detract from what is otherwise a very sensitive and altogether 'human' story, and indeed contributes to much of the comedy and humour of the movie throughout. Anyone like myself who is old enough to have lived through 1971 will appreciate the sheer mastery at which the cast were able to recreate that particular era to utter perfection.
Unlike so many movies - including great ones, there is no 'pause' within this film where you are bored - not even for a minute whilst awaiting the next entertaining moment; each scene is superb! I've already watched this title six times to date, and will no doubt view it many, many more times to come, and still enjoy it.
Highly recommended to all - even to those who do not normally care for bad language, and the odd bit of domestic violence.
Enjoy!
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Set in 1971 in Salford, Manchester, East is East takes a humorous look at life for the Khan family. George Khan is the Pakistani born immigrant who came to Britain in the 30's. We learn he has left his first wife back in Pakistan and has now married an English woman in the shape of Ella. Together they run the local fish and chip shop as well as trying to bring up their large family of 6 sons and a daughter. George is desperately trying to hold on to Pakistani and Muslim traditions. We initially meet him on the wedding day of his eldest son. The poor son is petrified at the thought of the arranged marriage, and taking the first look at his bride he bolts from ceremony exclaiming that he "cannot do this". George is mortified, not caring a jot for the feelings of his son, he is only concerned of the shame that this will bring to the Khan family.
Ella, on the other hand, is struggling with trying to not to undermine her husband but at the same time trying to support her numerous off-spring, who all having been born in Britain, cannot understand why they cannot go to the local disco, study art instead of engineering or must wear a sari on Sunday.
In general the film stays light hearted and provides some incredibly funny moments ranging from slap-stick to double entendre and wit. Some of the gags could be accused of being very stereotypical; we have the Enoch Powell supporting neighbour, the lusty northern lasses who pursue the handsome Khan boys, the eldest son who runs off from his wedding turns up later managing a very camp hat shop along with partner Nigel, but there's no nastiness involved and no-one has cause to take offence.
On the other hand the film does have a darker side which is very shocking when shown alongside the humour. There's some tear-jerking poignancy and some hand to the mouth surprises which raises the film to the level above just being a laugh along comedy. The performances are solid to a man with Om Puri and Linda Bassett leading the way with some fine turns.
The one other bit of fun to have with the film is to try to name all the other series and soap opera you've now seen the various actors in on television.
27 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
East is East is a brilliant film. It manages to realistically portray early 70s Salford (Manchester, UK) and the life of a British non-religious mother, a Pakistani staunch Muslim father and their seven kids, whilst indulging in one of the funniest comedies I have seen in a long time. The acting from the entire cast is superb, beautifully timed and able to capture the highs and lows and the trivial of their lives. The story is based around the clash of cultures between little England (look out for the different reactions of the Enoch Powell supporting neighbour and his grandchildren towards the Khan family: priceless!) and the unknown - and regularly misunderstood - Indian subcontinent immigrants. Without giving away too much of the story, I would recommend you just to sit back, watch and enjoy. Laugh at the genuinely funny moments (Sajid's circumcision, Salim's 'art' and Tariq being 'Tony' are my favourites) and appreciate the somewhat inevitable clashes between East and West that give the film a tenser edge, making you remember that it wasn't all Space Hoppers and groooovy music in the 70s.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 77 reviews
3.9 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best films of its genre
Thoroughly enjoyed it, brought back memories of how the North of England was back then. Good to see how the actors are now often seen on TV and in Films.
Published 2 days ago by Gillie
5.0 out of 5 stars
fun to watch
i bought this for hubby to replace vhs tape copy, we love watching it time and time again it never fails to get a laugh
Published 15 days ago by lainey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Product, service, packing and postal is all outstanding. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Published 15 days ago by Ukla
5.0 out of 5 stars
spoilt by poor quality D.V.D
Having seen the film before, I knew I would enjoy seeing it on d.v.d. Unfortunately the d.v.d. was of such poor quality we dumped it halfway through. One day we'll buy another one.
Published 1 month ago by leonard brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Typical British comedy
Typical British comedy which is not always 'politically correct', but that is what's so funny about the film. A film that you can watch time after time.
Published 1 month ago by Zelda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Brilliant movie, timeless , can watch over and over! Fantastic acting a great example of the people of that era, would buy again
Published 1 month ago by Debs
5.0 out of 5 stars
funny
Even after twenty years it is still funny. I have not seen West is West yet for comparison but this film certainly gave a good overview of life in England for some of our... Read more
Published 2 months ago by maxwellmanchester
5.0 out of 5 stars
Watch again
It is one of the few films I can watch repeatedly. It is sad and funny in turn, and portrays life as it was in the North of England at that period of time.
Published 2 months ago by Teaching nana
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still funny.
I used this film to explore themes of culture and identity with my year 11 students. While the film tackles serious issues; racism, domestic violence, poverty and homophobia, it... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Felicity Wills
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very funny!
Whilst this film is very amusing, it addresses the experiences of second generation Muslims born and brought up in 70's Britain. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs Annemarie Brown
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
