Dirty Pretty Things (2002)

27 out of 40 people found the following review helpful:

A thriller with a message

Sly from Sheffield, 16th February, 2004

A beautifully acted and very moving account of the lives of illegal workers. A savage indictment of the way we treat the people who do our dirty work. Powerful, sad but ultimately uplifting portayal of the ingenuity and strength of the human spirit. It certainly exposes the hypocracy of the editors of the Daily Mail, who's offices and homes are cleaned by the very people they castigate and rail against every day in the pages of their newspaper

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16 out of 18 people found the following review helpful:

Challenges nothing.

A Customer from London UK., 27th April, 2006

This is niave rubbish. Those that wrote that it is a challenging film need to get out more, Really! It is didactic and worse shows that no-one assiocated with the making of this film has a clue about the complex issues of immigration and immigrants. Those who think otherwise are quite probably middle class natives to their own country fantasising that they can empathise with the immigrant's plight because they think they will get a girl-guides badge for their endeavours. The acting was shocking too. The only accomplishment in this film is AT's Turkish accent which was quite good considering she is French speaking in English - My wife is Turkish so I am not bad judge. Those who want a challenging and more honest look at immigration or more specifically race relations (as that's what its really all about isn't it?) should try either Crash or Lars von Trier's Road to Manderlay.

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12 out of 12 people found the following review helpful:

NAIVE AND UNCONVINCING

A Customer from London, England, 6th January, 2007

This is a naive film. The relationship between Okwe and Senay is very unconvincing and naive. Why did Okwe not reciprocate Senay's love practically. It seems annoying and awkward when Okwe is told that Senay is in love with him, he has to scold her for that. If this film claims to pride itself on realism, anybody in Okwe's position would have fallen in love with Senay. This makes the film far from satisfying.

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13 out of 22 people found the following review helpful:

The brutal, shocking truth?

A Customer from Stowmarket, England, 12th February, 2004

This film is darkly interesting and shocking. Because its plot and characters are not so removed from the reality of what its like to be an illegal immigrant. The shocking reality of the people who use and take advantage of immigrants and the things the immigrants will do to get papers and money. The two lead actors were very good and watchable. People are indeed dirty pretty things.

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Well worth watching

A Customer from London, 28th June, 2008

I first watched this film years ago on a flight to LA. I had always wanted to see it again. Watching it a second time was just as enjoyable. It's extremely interesting and really draws you in. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because the UK immigration services were very unrealistic hollywood style 'bad guys'.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Customer Review

A Customer from UK, 23rd June, 2008

DPT is what a good story should be: tense with suspense and energy, thought-provoking, characterful, transporting. It is not a light-hearted piece of entertainment, so do not rent it if that is what you are after (and sometimes that is what I am after... when watching a film to relax, or escape for example). Superb acting by the ever-superb Chiwetel Ejiofor. Subtle and non-didactic exploration of a grim side of life. It has depressed me. But then, I find any film that moves me to strong emotion to be a profound success. Hope this helps some.

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Customer Review

A Customer from UK, 23rd June, 2008

It brings a real human angle to the whole immigration debate. Moving, funny, and a love story in one. The London that you may not see if you do not live it. Everyone should watch.

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Customer Review

A Customer from UK, 23rd June, 2008

I lived in central London for eight years and saw a bit of the underside.

I found this film superb, and quite plausible. Art should show you the unexpected good and bad in people, and these characters are fascinating. Chiwetel Ejiofor is a brilliant lead, and Audrey Tatou provides fantastic support.

A tip to anyone watching this kind of film - always put the English subtitles on. I'm not hard of hearing but to pick up all the detail you need to see the dialogue.

The music is excellent, too. This is a British classic, and like The Long Good Friday, it gives you a raw look at London life.

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