Dirty Pretty Things (film)

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Image:Dirty pretty things.jpg Dirty Pretty Things (2002) is a movie by Stephen Frears, a gritty urban drama about two illegal immigrants in London. It was produced by the Celador Films production company.

1 Plot
2 Cast
3 Criticism
4 Quotes
5 External links

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Okwe (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a Nigerian doctor who drives a taxicab during the day and watches the front desk of a hotel by night; he also chews khat (a stimulant) to keep awake and prescribes drugs to men with venereal diseases. Senay (played by Audrey Tautou) is a Turkish Muslim girl who slaves in a sweatshop under a sexually predatory boss. The two immigrants form a hesitant friendship, but when fate deals them both bad hands, Senay begins contemplating selling a kidney to get a passport and escape this half-life. Meanwhile, Okwe is pressured to perform that very operation.

[edit] Cast

Chiwetel Ejiofor - Okwe
Audrey Tautou - Senay
Sophie Okonedo - Juliette
Sergi López - Sneaky (Juan)
Kriss Dosanjh - Asian businessman
Israel Aduramo - Mini cab driver
Yemi Ajibade - Mini cab driver
Nizwar Karanj - Mini cab driver
Dhobi Oparei - Mini cab driver
Jeffery Kissoon - Cab Controller
Zlatko Buric - Ivan
Benedict Wong - Guo Yi
Kenan Hudaverdi - Cafe owner
Damon Younger - Punter
Paul Bhattacharjee - Mohammed

[edit] Criticism

Image:Dirtyprettythings.jpg

The film was well received by audiences and critics for its portrayal of the bleak, hand-to-mouth lives of asylum seeking immigrants in London and of the more seedy, criminal aspect that underlies all the glitz and glamour. Reviewers have also pointed out that the plot successfully portrays the personalities of the main characters by forcing them into situations that test their morality and religious convictions.

Some reviewers have suggested that the love affair between Okwe and Senay is an unnecessary aspect of the plot, and that this aspect of their relationship should not have been developed. It has also been pointed out that while the illegal trade of human organs does exist, it is a rare activity and thus the plot is not plausible. There has also been criticism that the film was advertised as an erotic thriller, a label that many viewers do not agree with.

[edit] Quotes

White Englishman: Who are you people? Why haven't I seen you before?
Okwe: We are the people you don't see: We drive your cabs, we clean your rooms, we suck your cocks.