East Is East [DVD] [1999]: Amazon.co.uk: Om Puri, Linda Bassett, Jordan Routledge, Archie Panjabi, Emil Marwa, Chris Bisson, Jimi Mistry, Raji James, Ian Aspinall, Lesley Nicol, Emma Rydal, Ruth Jones, Ben Keaton, Kriss Dosanjh, John Bardon, Damien O'Donnell: DVD

Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
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.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Bend It Like Beckham [DVD] [2002]

DVD ~ Parminder Nagra

4.2 out of 5 stars (44)

The Full Monty [1997] [DVD]

DVD ~ Robert Carlyle

4.6 out of 5 stars (9) �2.98

Bend It Like Beckham [DVD] [2002]

DVD ~ Parminder K. Nagra

3.8 out of 5 stars (4) �3.98

Four Weddings And A Funeral [DVD] [1994]

DVD ~ Hugh Grant

4.0 out of 5 stars (34) �2.97

Bhaji On The Beach [DVD] [1993]

DVD ~ Kim Vithana

3.5 out of 5 stars (2) �6.58

› Explore similar items

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

(What's this?)

Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)

humour(2)

parminder k nagra(2)

bhaji beach(1)

dvd(1)

movie(1)

football(1)

girl footballer(1)

jonathan rhys meyers(1)

keira knightley(1)

keira knihtley(1)

romantic(1)

Customer Reviews

25 Reviews

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

Average Customer Review

4.0 out of 5 stars (25 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars East Is East, 19 Sep 2005

By	Rich Milligan (Thatcham, Berkshire) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: East Is East [DVD] [1999] (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.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant British (yes, British) comedy, 24 Aug 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: East Is East [DVD] [1999] (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.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sad... but True, 14 Jan 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: East Is East [DVD] [1999] (DVD)

An excellent insight to mixed marriages in the U.K. Extremely funny but you need to watch it several times as obviously you miss things. It's quite a sad story as its obvious the children are "born and bred" in the U.K. and want a normal English up-bringing as they themselves are "British" but the father sticks to his roots/tradition. The mother is torn between loyalty to her husband on one hand ..but on the other, she wants her children to be brought up as normal British kids AND to have a normal life. Maybe towards the end the father does realise he cannot always instill into all his children how he was brought up in the "age old" tradition of life in Pakistan e.g. arranged marriages to girls they have never seen (and in this film they are extremely ugly!) Not to be missed.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 25 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic film! Pretty much shows it as it was in the '70s
Yes, this is a brilliant film. Get it; watch it. Laugh, cringe & feel for the Khan kids.

By the way, Salford is NOT in or part of Manchester; Salford is a city in... Read more

Published 12 months ago by Lancashire Lass

5.0 out of 5 stars need a laugh
this film is such a graet film you find it funny from start to finish. you love all the family even the nasty but very funny dad,(om puri) who is a great actor there is nothing... Read more

Published on 24 Mar 2007 by S. Mockridge

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb! Hilarious! Entertaining!

East Is East is nothing less than a masterpiece!

This film is appealing to so many people for so many different reasons. Read more

Published on 19 Jan 2007 by FAMOUS NAME

1.0 out of 5 stars Undoubtedly the worst film I have ever seen
No this film is not life imitating art in the slightest. It's ridden with stereotypical cliche's. All films have characters but this film tries very very hard to be social... Read more

Published on 26 Mar 2006 by Mr. R. P. Chauhan

5.0 out of 5 stars Bloody hillarious
If you're looking for a laugh, some good acting, a decent story and loads more laughs, this is the film for you! Read more

Published on 27 Dec 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars A SAD....COMEDY
East is east is good film about the difference of views between two culture,the 70s pop culture and the eastern culture. Read more

Published on 24 Oct 2003 by Inga

2.0 out of 5 stars Another over-rated British movie!
Because of the incessant hype, stage background and cute interviews with the cast I HAD to see this movie. Read more

Published on 18 Oct 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll laugh and cry at this gritty but very comedy.
I grew up in the 70's and found this film a true relection of the how griity and grim the Nortb was for asians. However it's hilarious. Read more

Published on 18 Nov 2000

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Brilliant
This is an okay British Made film. A group of young Pakistanis who live in England are keen to get rid of their Asian roots much to the disgust as their dad. Read more

Published on 3 Nov 2000 by exelentai2000@hotmail.com

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting look at clashes in culture
The movie centres around a family in the North of England during the 1970s. The father was born and raised in Pakistan, who came to England as a young man, married an English... Read more

Published on 24 Oct 2000 by Trudy Keenan

› See all 25 customer reviews...

Listmania!

outstanding cinematic gems: A list by Wanda
10 Greatest Films In Order In My Opinon.: A list by Henry Smith
Girly films to chill out to x: A list by Sarah

Create a Listmania! list

Feedback

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

From soap to shavers, massagers to mascara, stock up on your daily essentials or truly pamper yourself.

›Discover Health & Beauty

Up to 75% off Shoes

Save up to 75% on shoes for the whole family.

›Shop clearance shoes

Train Hard...Play Hard

Gear up with up to 60% off athletic and outdoor shoes.

›Shop now

Treat Someone

With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

	65% buy the item featured on this page: East Is East [DVD] [1999] 4.0 out of 5 stars (25)
	29% buy East Is East [DVD] [1999] 4.2 out of 5 stars (5) �6.98
	2% buy Bend It Like Beckham [DVD] [2002] 3.8 out of 5 stars (4) �3.98
	2% buy Brick Lane [DVD] [2007] 4.1 out of 5 stars (16) �4.98


Amazon Home

International Sites: United States \| Germany \| France \| Japan \| Canada \| China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon \| Fulfilment by Amazon \| Join Associates \| Join Advantage

Customer Service \| Help \| View Basket \| Your Account

About Amazon.co.uk \| Careers at Amazon

East Is East [DVD] [1999]

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Product details

Reviews

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

Customer Reviews

Customer Discussions

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Start a new discussion

Listmania!

Feedback

Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

Up to 75% off Shoes

Train Hard...Play Hard

Treat Someone

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History