Linda Bassett and Om Puri in "East Is East."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film an: Stars: Om Puri Director: Damien O'Donnell Rated: R, with moderate profanity Length: 96 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(June 2, 2000) -- In his efforts to keep Pakistani traditions alive in his now-British family, George Khan is swimming upstream. Against a torrent.

For Khan (Om Puri) -- a conservative immigrant living in England -- nothing is more important for his seven children than religious ceremonies, Arabic studies, arranged marriages, discreet clothing and strict eating habits.

The kids, of course, couldn't agree less, and thwart Dad's efforts at every turn. They're caught up in the Swingin' Sixties English mentality that is still alive in the Manchester outlands of the early '70s.

The unspoken irony of East Is East is that Kahn is married to an English woman named Ella (Linda Bassett), meaning he presumably broke a cultural taboo himself. Together, they operate a most English business -- a neighborhood fish-and-chips shop.

The domestic battle lines are drawn with a double appeal in this funny, thought-provoking cross-cultural comedy. On one hand, the Pakistani immigrant setting is new and exotic for many of us in the West. On the other, the generation-gap conflicts and father-child struggles are familiar to any culture.

The three oldest sons rebel against the idea of marrying brides selected by their father. One son, in fact, is carrying on a sneaky affair with a blonde neighbor his father would surely abhor. The girl's prejudiced parents would also go ballistic if they knew she was romancing a "brown boy."

Another son aspires to be an artist, though he lets Dad thinks he is on the fast track to an engineering career.

The lone girl is much happier in soccer shorts than a sari, and the youngest boy hides inside an oversized parka, no matter the weather. And the boy screams in terror because Dad has decided it's never too late for a ritual circumcision -- and hustles the boy to the clinic.

East Is East, adapted by screenwriter Ayub Khan-Din from his semi-autobiographical stage play, first lit sparks at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. It became a major hit in Europe and went on to earn six nominations for the British Academy Award, including one for best picture. (It lost to American Beauty.)

First-time director Damien O'Donnell provides confident, impressive direction, effectively re-creating working-class environs of nearly 30 years ago, as well as the wit and pace of the edgy films of the British film wave of the '60s.

The largely unknown cast -- mostly young people -- delivers funny, energetic, likable performances. But it's Puri, the respected Indian actor, who holds the film together with his complex, bittersweet, funny-sad portrayal.

George shows disturbing flashes of intolerance and even momentary abuse of his family. Yet Puri's multi-shaded performances makes George sympathetic. The character's vulnerability, inherent warmth, confusion and frustration are evident.

George isn't a bad sort; he just hasn't figured out how to keep his cultural roots alive in a torrent of Western influences. If he hopes to keep his family together, he better think of some way, soon.