Dirty Pretty Things (2002)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writer:

Steven Knight (written by)

Release Date:

13 December 2002 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Some things are too dangerous to keep secret.

Plot:

An illegal Nigerian immigrant discovers the unpalatable side of London life.

Plot Keywords:

Nigerian | Hotel | Turkish | Toilet | Heart

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 16 wins & 19 nominations

Cast

Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Okwe
Kriss Dosanjh	...	Asian Businessman
Israel Aduramo	...	Mini Cab Driver
Yemi Ajibade	...	Mini Cab Driver (as Ade-Yemi Ajibade)
Nizwar Karanj	...	Mini Cab Driver
Deobia Oparei	...	Mini Cab Driver
Jeffery Kissoon	...	Cab Controller
Zlatko Buric	...	Ivan
Audrey Tautou	...	Senay Gelik
Sophie Okonedo	...	Juliette
Sergi López	...	Sneaky / Juan
Benedict Wong	...	Guo Yi
Kenan Hudaverdi	...	Cafe Owner
Damon Younger	...	Punter
Paul Bhattacharjee	...	Mohammed

MPAA:

Rated R for sexual content, disturbing images and language.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | Somali

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:12 | Brazil:18 | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:14 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:14A | Denmark:11 | Finland:K-15 | Hong Kong:IIB | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) | Spain:18 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Damien O'Donnell was originally attached to direct, but he decided to pass after problems with Harvey Weinstein. He directed Heartlands (2002) instead.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Guo Yi says the mythological figure who ferries the dead to Hades is Pylades; in fact the ferryman's name is Charon. Pylades is the companion of Orestes.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Okwe: Do you want a car? Ten pounds, Theatreland. Car? London? You want a taxi? Buckingham Palace.

Movie Connections:

References The Conversation (1974)

Soundtrack:

JJC ft Cherise Atide (we R Here)

Worth seeing

A thoroughly engaging film which I would have no hesitation in recommending. Other reviewers have given away the major elements of the plot which may mean that you may find that it takes time to "cut to the chase" if you read the comments here before you see it. You are better off seeing this film "cold" knowing neither the plot nor the players. It does tend to get a bit goarey towards the end, but not without reason. A well written, superbly acted (especially by the two leads) and expertly directed work that makes you continue to believe that cinema can still be political and make important points without hitting you over the head with a blunt instrument. My only minor crib would be the accents which can be difficult to decipher or in Tatou's case slightly off (her character is supposed to be Turkish but the accent is more Eastern European).