Dirty Pretty Things ( Social Thriller/ 2002/ Prime)
Director – Stephan Frears
Cast – Chiwetel Ejiofor, Audrey Tautou
Boasting of an academy nomination and many awards , this film could be best described as a social thriller. What sets it apart is its narrative style that seamlessly weaves social commentary with suspense, tension and adorns it with pitch perfect cast and superb performances.
The story revolves around the life of two immigrants navigating the dark underbelly of London.
Okwe , an African immigrant , works in a hotel by the night and drives cab by the day. He is a kind and ethical man who seems to have a wherewithal to lend minor medical help to his work community.He rents a couch at Senay’s apartment, a Turkish girl seeking asylum, who also works at the same hotel.
One night, Okwe finds something utterly shocking in the commode of one of the room’s toilet. His illegal immigrant status should have deterred him from asking too many questions or treading towards secrets that could turn threatening.On the other front , legal agencies start trailing Senay because legally, she can neither work nor sub-rent a place.
Both get cornered into desperate situations.
Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Yrs a Slave” fame, a film I have never been courageous enough to watch) ,is phenomenal and won an award for his performance as Okwe. He portrays a solemn and dignified Okwe , who never loses his mind or ethics or cool. There is an attraction to his ideals ,level headedness and dependability.
Audrey Tautou (Amelie fame) fits perfectly as beautiful Senay. She brings alive the cute mix of innocence ,love , desperation and resilience.
Any further analysis of the film would give way to slight spoilers which I want to avoid.
Watch Okwe and Senay’s story to know what was their desperation , what was menacing about the hotel they worked in and how they scrape by and survive the situation they land in.
BHAVNA TALKIES 