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>> DIRTY PRETTY THINGS (2003)

Starring: Audrey Tautou, Chjwetel Ejiofor, Sergi Lopez, and more ...
Director: Stephen Fears
Genre: Drama; Thriller




this is a fantastically disturbing tale of how unjustified and undeserved misfortune sometimes lead individuals into situations of disturbing greed. highly recommended film which peers into the eyes of london illegal immigrants who must make awful decisions just to survive. the question of how far is too far is addressed in such terrific fashion, combined with terrific story-telling and casts.

there was okwe (chjwetel ejiofor), an illegal immigrant working as a night porter at a posh london hotel. he stumbles across evidence of a bizarre murder in one of the bathroom at the hotel. he and senay (audrey tautou), a turkish chambermaid, and fellow undocumented worker .. venture into the city's seedy underworld to find out what happened. okwe is an immigrant wanted for wrongful murder charge from his country. a good doctor, he connects the stories that leads to organ black market. while working at different shifts at different jobs, with no sleep at all, he rooms with senay, a muslim girl, who's also an immigrant but forced to work the most unpleasant job just to survive.

okwe's boss, senior juan (sergi lopez) blackmailed okwe when he found out that he was a doctor and wanted for murder in africa (the murder was not his fault but he was setup for not following orders from the government). through his escape, he and senay falls in love, though he respects her beliefs. what follows is by turns heroic, poignant, seedy and ultimately redemptive in ways the audience could scarcely predict. they try as far as they can get to be in the safe place.

this is positively an oustanding movie. stephen fears knows how to get down and dirty. this is one of the best movies i surprisingly have seen. i've heard about the good reviews, and it did got the nomination for an academy award, but i never thought it was this satisfying. at first the movie didn't quite appealing for me. then as the story goes on, i found myself engaged and i just love the ending. touchy, sentimental, yet edgy. this movie was labeled as a thriller movie, but i prefer to call it a drama movie. although this movie provides the excitement of a thriller, it also provides the englightment of what life can be as an illegal alien in london. while the movie is mostly disturbing, it opens our minds to a more human stance toward others, and toward the challenge of survival when placed in a less than optimal circumstances.

atmospheric direction and crack editing highlights this above-average film, but it is the performances that really stand out. chjwetel ejiofor and audrey tautou are brilliant, and the entire cast is well worth watching. ejiofor and tautou was able to give this feeling to the audience that they should be together, but they never did.. until the surprise ending. it is just emotional ending eventhough it was just a small gesture but really brings emotion to the entire movie.

i can't say anything more. i just loved the movie.. i totally recommend this one to you, especially those who appreciates the edgy, independent feel on a movie. don't expect anything hollywood, cuz you just won't find it.

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>> rated by :: sLesTa | [ ]

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