Dirty Pretty Things
Director Stephen Frears returns to the grittier themes of his earlier films for the urban thriller Dirty Pretty Things. Residing in London, the medically trained Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a Nigerian immigrant working as a taxi driver and a hotel concierge, but he still lives on the edge of poverty. He shares a room with Senay (Amélie's Audrey Tautou making her English-language debut), a Turkish refugee who works as a maid at the hotel. As illegal immigrants, Okwe and Senay live in fear of being deported. One night, working at the front desk, Okwe receives a call from prostitute Juliette (Sophie Okonedo) to check a broken toilet, where he makes a horrifying discovery. He reports it to the manager Sneaky (Sergi Lopez), who blackmails Okwe into staying quiet about it. Okwe soon discovers the presence of a shady business operation that sends him into the seedy London underworld. Senay becomes lured in with hopes of being able to fund her escape to America.
Member Reviews
Dirty Pretty Things - douglasles
This is what I call a sleeper... not well known as a movie but full of good acting for both main characters , a very dark and dangerous world in which they must operate and survive and a sad but true part of our modern world ... how the
illegal immigrant must live each day4 stars for Audrey Tautou! - movie_goer
I was absoluetly shocked, this is 1 of the best films i've seen in a very longtime that wasn't tied to America. Alot of times i find BBC films lack sufficent budgets or fall short of it's excellence because i just didn't get the directors vision. However Dirty Pretty Things is the example of what Makes Foriegn films sparkle!
Both Audrey Tautou and Chiwetel Ejiorfor blew me away with the exceptional acting ability. I look forward to following both actors Movie careers, and see what there next big move will be!Bleak but well worth watching - john10
This movie deals with the underworld of illegal immigrants in London; brutalised by the Immigration Inspectorate and exploited by unscrupulous employers. Sometimes it is very bleak and painful to watch. But it's also a very affecting love story and ultimately it celebrates the strength of the human spirit even in appalling conditions. It's also very well done; excellent acting, tight direction, effective unflashy cinematography. Recommended.
Member Reviews
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Dirty Pretty Things - douglasles
This is what I call a sleeper... not well known as a movie but full of good acting for both main characters , a very dark and dangerous world in which they must operate and survive and a sad but true part of our modern world ... how the
illegal immigrant ...4 stars for Audrey Tautou! - movie_goer
I was absoluetly shocked, this is 1 of the best films i've seen in a very longtime that wasn't tied to America. Alot of times i find BBC films lack sufficent budgets or fall short of it's excellence because i just didn't get the directors vision. However Dirty ...Bleak but well worth watching - john10
This movie deals with the underworld of illegal immigrants in London; brutalised by the Immigration Inspectorate and exploited by unscrupulous employers. Sometimes it is very bleak and painful to watch. But it's also a very affecting love story and ultimately ...