East is East

Manchester in 1971 is the setting for Damien O'Donnell's dark, irreverent comedy starring Om Puri (My Son the Fanatic) as George Khan, the grizzly patriarch of a family beset by cultural dissonance. With six sons and one daughter, George and his English wife (the wonderful Linda Bassett) work long hours in their chip shop, and they journey weekly to the mosque in a Pakistani neighborhood. The film opens as eldest son Nazir runs out on his wedding. In Fiddler on the Roof fashion, each succeeding son flagrantly rejects tradition. Abdul tries to placate his father, but he too fears an arranged marriage. Tariq, who calls himself Tony, sneaks out to discos at night and sleeps with Stella, a bit of working-class crumpet. Saleem is an engineering student with artist pretensions. Maneer hides his half-breed shame in Muslim devotion. Salid is an awkward pre-teen; tomboy Meenah shocks merely by wearing her short-skirted school uniform. The local Manchester youth run around like extras from Velvet Goldmine, and George's horny sons are ripe for the plucking.

Despite an unfortunate sentimental dive in the final 10 minutes, East Is East is full of comic brilliance. Puri's George bounces between stereotype and subtlety. His use of the word "bastard," like the movie itself, is a guaranteed laugh.

-- Peg Aloi