Dirty Pretty Things
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Movie Reviews of Dirty Pretty Things
Movie Review: Excellenly done and moving
Summary: 5 Stars
"Dirty Pretty Things" is part mystery, part thriller and part off-beat love story. It is also a brilliant portrait of the plight of illegal immigrants. Somewhat overlooked, this movie is one of 2003's best. It is a prime example of the axiom that `it's not what you say but how you say it'. Under Stephen Frears' assured direction, what could have been a mere soap opera becomes an insightful look at people in the crossroads of life. Okwe [Fjiofor] is a Nigerian working two jobs in London. He drives a taxi by day and works at the front desk of a hotel at night. He is an illegal immigrant, as are many of the people we meet, including Senay [Audrey Tautou], A Turkish woman who works as a maid at the hotel. Okwe sleeps on Senay's couch. Their relationship is chaste, mainly because of Senay's strict Muslim upbringing. That they are in love is apparent, but here we have a classic example of culture clash. Meanwhile, at the hotel, Sneaky [Lopez] rules the nefarious underworld that goes on underneath the hotel's proper exterior. Sneaky is the one that can get you a false passport for price. Or even a fresh kidney. Okwe and Senay detest Sneaky, but he is the one who can get them the things that they need.
"Dirty Pretty Things" is a first class adult movie. The actors are excellent, the story is both moving and surprising, and the ending is one of the best I have seen in a long time.
Movie Review: A European thriller with important social elements and plot twists galore
Summary: 5 Stars
Dirty Pretty Things is a suspense thriller with both a love story angle and a healthy dose of social commentary about the plight of illegal immigrants in London. It's packaged with a sexy Audrey Tautou on the cover, but the title and cover belie the gritty, intense nature of this sublime European film. The central character, Okwe (Chjwetel Ejiofor), is an illegal immigrant from Nigeria working as a night porter in a London hotel. His love interest Saney (Audrey Tatou) is a Turkish immigrant seeking asylum in Great Britian and working illegally as a chambermaid and seamstress. Okwe discovers evidence of a murder in Suite 510 at the hotel, and despite the fact that his co-workers tell him to mind his own business and ignore any dirty things that happen in the pretty hotel, he starts to unravel a criminal web of black market transactions. Soon, he and Saney are waist-deep in the criminal underworld, unable to turn to law enforcement for fear of deportation.
This outstanding movie can be viewed as a gripping suspense thriller or as an important expose on the plight of immigrants, and the viewer will delight when justice is delivered to the evil people who wield all the power. Prepare to be captivated by a compelling storyline with a first-rate cast.
Movie Review: A sublime thriller...
Summary: 5 Stars
The kind and overworked Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is an illegal immigrant from Nigeria that lives and works in London where he has several connections through his different occupations. Okwe, once a medical doctor, works now as cab driver in the daylight and at night as portiere, and in between shifts he visits his friend Guo Yi (Benedict Wong) at the morgue with whom he is playing chess in his short leisure time. The few hours of sleep that Okwe gets is when he rests in Senay's (Audrey Tautou), a Turkish asylum seeking woman, apartment while Senay is at work. Both Senay and Okwe work at the Baltic Hotel in London, and in one of the rooms of the hotel Okwe makes a macabre discovery as he finds a human heart in a clogged toilet. The complexity of Okwe's situation makes it impossible for him to go to the police, but his conscious tells him to be honorable. However, Okwe has more problems with the immigration police and his past as he attempts to balance the issues at hand, which brings him more trouble. Dirty Little Things is a good story that balances societal issues with a ghastly crime in an environment where laws cannot be applied. Thus, Frears creates a sublime thriller that will provide food for thought as well as suspense.Movie Review: "We are the people you never see..."
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a brilliantly acted, well-directed combination thriller/drama. Fans of Audrey Tautou will not be disappointed, but the other two lead actors are fantastic as well. Chjwetel Ejiofor is the main character, Okwe, who has a good heart (no pun intended), but is by no means a sappy boyscout-type. Okwe's boss at the hotel is a supreme slimeball, and is played to perfection by Sergi Lopez.
There is one minor plot flaw that is not enough to ruin this excellent movie, but that I feel I must get off my chest. In one of the opening scenes of the movie, Okwe finds a human (apparently) heart clogging up one of the guest rooms' toilet. While this is a fascinating and chilling way to introduce us to the web of misdeeds that goes on in this hotel, it is a bit far-fetched. Even given what we find out later (which I will not reveal), it seems a bit of a stretch to think that the "bad guys" would (a) remove the victim's heart in the first place, and (b) be so careless as to flush it down the toilet.
Overall, however, this is a fantastic film, in which both the thriller and dramatic elements work perfectly. Highly recommended.
Movie Review: An indie film I've recommended hundreds of times!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're looking for a creepy independent film, look no further. I saw 'Dirty Pretty Things' when it came out in theatres, and have been meaning to see it again. My admiration of Audrey Tatou brought me in the full circle to write a review for another one of her movies.
But if you are like me, and you enjoy Ms. Tatou, you will be surprised to see her speak English throughout the entire film.
'Dirty Pretty Things' is the story of illegal immigrants in ruthless cities and the underground workings of the black market. When the main character responds to a complaint in the hotel he works, he discovers a human heart clogging a toilet. The film builds around this phenomenon, posing the question of how far a person will go simply to feel safe, and not always on the run or being searched for.
The film also does a great job chronicling the cycle of someone that is forced to work multiple jobs, using their energy for their sole survival.
Overall, this gritty little gem of a film is artistic and well-thought out, and a great flick for a spooky night indoors. Five stars!