East is East

 2/4

Starring: Om Puri, Linda Bassett, Jordan Routledge, Archie Panjabi, Emil Maria, Chris Bisson, Jimi Mistry, Raji James, Ian Aspinall, Lesley Nicol

Rated R for Language, Sexual Content and Some Domestic Violence

It's hard to know what to make of "East is East."  For a comedy, it's not especially funny (nor does it even seem to try to be).  For a drama, it lacks the story or characters to generate much interest.  And for a culture clash film, it lacks the insight of other movies in this genre, such as "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" or "Bend it like Beckham," which also starred Archie Panjabi.

When I was growing up, I loudly complained how critics seemed to trash comedies that were actually funny.  Instead, they fawned over arthouse comedies that were filled with understated laughs or "depth."  As I saw it, they sneered at movies that had the gall or immaturity to go for belly laughs and adored movies that were "above" such things.  It wasn't always true, but this is the kind of movie that such critics would have adored.  It's allegedly a dramatic comedy, but it is neither dramatic or funny.  At least from this critic's perspective.

Pakistani ex-pat George Khan (Puri) owns a fish market in 1970s England.  He is forever trying to get his family to embrace the traditions of the old country.  Much to his chagrin, neither his British wife Ella (Bassett) nor his children are having any of it.  They're are attracted to English culture like sex and pop music, and certainly do not want him choosing their spouses.

Culture clashes and generation gaps are as ripe for comic targets as they are for melodrama.  Strangely, director Damien O'Donnell doesn't go after them with any vigor.  Is it funny that little Sajid (Routledge) never takes off his parka?  Is it dramatic?  Not really.  "East is East" isn't funny enough to be a comedy and not smart enough to be a drama.  O'Donnell is hedging his bets and wants the film to work as both.  As a result, it's neither.

The acting is strong, I guess, but apart from the legendary Om Puri and Linda Bassett, no one has much to work with.  George is a traditional conservative hypocrite.  He wants to keep to the traditions only when it benefits him.  For example, he wants Ella to play the demure Muslim wife but has no problem making her do most of the work in the fish market or threaten to bring his first wife over from Pakistan.  And while he wants to choose his son's wives (who must be Pakistani), he has done just the opposite himself by marrying a Brit of his choosing.  Puri is quite good here, better than the material deserves.  He gives depth and feeling to a man who, in other hands, would be more of a jerk than he already is.  Linda Bassett plays his long-suffering wife, although why she puts up with him is a mystery.  Everyone else can be described in a trait or two.  If that.

Some parts are okay.  It's too well acted to be a bad movie, although I do admit that I was eager for the end credits to roll so I could churn out a review and get to bed.  But it's so misguided that and so fearful of going in one direction or the other that it simply exists.  This is a movie that believes that wife beating is appropriate for a comedy.  That should give you some idea of how wrongheaded this movie is.

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