Last film club we watched Dirty Pretty Things. (Spoiler information below)
The story centers around Nigerian doctor Okwe and Turkish Senay (of Amelie fame), both of whom are illegal immigrants, trying to make a living in London. Centered around a London hotel in which both the main characters work, Okwe works on the reception desk doing night shifts and Senay works as a maid. The tale follows the protagonists as they find and leave work, struggle to find somewhere to live, and avoid a pitifully poorly acted pair of immigration officers. Almost immediately Okwe discovers a rather sinister illegal business operating at the hotel, and the film builds on this, culminating in Okwe facing a huge moral dilemma. A saint-like character throughout, he refuses, and the story twists at the end with a slightly strange revenge scene.
Many of the characters were weak. The hotel manager was a baddie who might have fitted better into a pantomime than a supposedly critical film. The filming left little to the imagination, and a sex scene in which Senay was humiliated was laughable. I thought Senay’s character was poorly constructed, and not very believeable. The film felt like it couldn’t decide when to be serious and when to joke, and as a result did neither particularly well. The Russian hotel doorman was a saving grace, with scenes of him joking interspersed with the otherwise heavy outplay of events. More of recognisable London would have given more integrity - a hotel name, or recognisable streets, perhaps.
If the film was supposed to highlight the plight of many illegal immigrants in London who struggle to make a living, it certainly did provoke some thought - mainly that if such a world does exist, the likes of us middle-class city dwellers certainly aren’t aware of much of it. There was a strong glorification of such people, with the strong morality and constant striving of Okwe contrasted with the corruption of the rich hotel manager.
Reactions to the revenge scene among the film fascists were mixed; pointless and cheesy were criticisms levelled by some. While it did feel rather out of context, it was important for me as it provoked a response. I couldn’t help but feel that had I been in the same situation, I would have done much worse…
The film ends with the two central characters saying goodbye, one leaving to try and make a new life in New York, and the other to return to Nigeria. What should have been difficult to watch was strangely devoid of emotion, and as I watched the characters leave I wondered why I didn’t feel much more affiinity towards them. While the film raised questions on London’s underclass and our lack of involvement with them, the film left me painfully emotionally uninvolved.
Thanks for the review above go to international man of music fascism - Jon Osbourne.
Please air your views on this and any other related topics, such as 5 most boring films or 5 films that have made you wet yourself with laughter.
Stand by for the next film club film (?!) possibilities list - coming soon on this thread.
Here’s the possibilities list:
Paris Texas
Buffalo 66
The Birds
Vertigo
Blow Up
Up the Junction
Some French film that someone knows (B?)
The Third Man (?! Ahh no… A classic you say?!)
Twelve angry men
Hidden (Cache)
I heart huckabees
Royal Tenenbaums
Hallam Foe
Goodnight & Good luck
Dave Chappelle’s Block Party
CaddyShack
Happy Gilmore
Room with a view
All about my mother (added by special request)
By: jimmysmooth on February 5, 2008
at 11:26 pm
Can we add ‘All About My Mother’ to the list, you know the Almodovar film? It is supposed to be amazing and it another of those films that I always feel that I ought to have seen. I loved Volver (which Almodovar also directed), it stars Penelope Cruz (don’t let that put you off, she is actually v good in this).
By: Ellie on February 6, 2008
at 10:42 am
Oh yeah, I’ll get it on later…
What’s your thoughts on the one to go for?
By: James on February 6, 2008
at 10:49 am
The ones I’ve seen and would recommend are:
Vertigo - the best Hitchcock film and that’s up against some pretty stiff competition.
Goodnight & Good Luck - Brillaint, and today’s “The Crucible”
And ones I’d like to see:
The Birds
Royal Tenenbaums
The Third Man
Wouldn’t recommend I heart huckabees, never really did it for me but maybe if you like those movies where nothing happens and you learn nothing…
If no-one else replies does that mean I get to choose?
By: Stephen M on February 6, 2008
at 12:39 pm
I liked the look of the Royal Tenenbaums too…
“No one else replying”?! You should be so lucky mate!
By: James on February 6, 2008
at 1:39 pm
The Australian film festival is on at the Barbican in March. Anyone fancy Lucky Miles - a similar subject to Dirty Pretty Things, but a comedy. Kylie and I are going, after another afternoon of watching Wales beating Ireland.
By: Garmon on February 6, 2008
at 4:27 pm
One of the most remarkable films I have ever seen is Memento. Highly recommended, but you need to concentrate!
By: Mark Fletcher on February 6, 2008
at 4:35 pm
Memento is good… It does mash my brain up when I try to work it all out, I have sat forwarding and rewinding, watchin the whole thing backwards in segments and still feel I’m not sure what happened?!
By: jimmysmooth on February 6, 2008
at 6:13 pm
Can I recommend never having the Memento conversation with jimmysmooth because even if you thought you understood it you very quickly will feel like you don’t.
By: Bee on February 6, 2008
at 7:25 pm
Matt and I went to see Memento (matt loved it)! I came out not really understanding what i’d seen and Matt having to explain it to me all over again!!! Still not sure I got it tho!
By: sarah wall on February 6, 2008
at 10:29 pm
On the DVD you can watch it the ‘right’ way round too!
By: Matt on February 6, 2008
at 11:46 pm
Maye that would make more sense to me!
By: Sarah on February 7, 2008
at 12:18 pm
Who am I?
Where am I?
Who did this blog?
Who is Church on the corner?
What is Film club?
Shit! Wheres my camera?!
By: James on February 7, 2008
at 4:27 pm
This thread seems to me to be crying out for a list of some sort…so here are my ‘Top Three Weird or Confusing Films’ (no order):
1) Run Lola Run
2) Tideland
3) Being John Malkovich
No doubt i’ll think of a few later that really should have made it a top 5 (was tempted by Delicatessen and City of Lost Children), or someone will ridicule my options and ask what was so confusing about them for my tiny little brain, but hey - as long as it gets the discussion started again..
By: run preston run on February 12, 2008
at 12:22 pm
Can I just add that I thought the Royal Tennenbaums was crap?
In fact here are my top (or bottom) five crap films that lots of other people seem to think are great:
1) Napolean Dynamite
2) The Royal Tennenbaums
3) All Westerns and RomComs (is the record stuck?)
4) Braveheart (and any other pseudo-’historical’ drama)
5) Titanic
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
By: i heart prestons on February 12, 2008
at 2:02 pm
I think now after Tom P’s latest outburst I can finally do a top 5 films I like that Tom doesn’t. Clearly the man is stark raving looney tunes as these are all great films:
1) Run Lola Run
2) Napolean Dynamite
3) The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
4) Four Weddings and a Funeral (so shoot me)
5) Braveheart
James - are these posts helping you to decide the next film for Film Club?
And on a completley different matter what happened all the other photos on Mark’s camera from the weekend away? Why the high level of censorship?
By: Stephen M on February 13, 2008
at 11:33 am
sadly, steviejeeby, you are wrong, but almost right…as I quite liked run lola run (and the other weird or confusing films i mentioned) i just got confused by it! the others all stand tho. except for half (the funny half not the romantic half) of 4 weddings….
and nevermind about the other photos, i’m just glad that one of you gurning with the preserves is up there - classic!
back to film….if anyone is bored of their office job they should check out Ikiru by Akira Kurosawa (who also did many films that were ruined into westerns such as Seven Samurai and Rashomon). It will make you laugh and grateful as well as cry!
By: tom dynamite on February 13, 2008
at 11:42 am
Enough of your jibber jabber about Westerns. blah blah blah… WHATEVER.
how about this for a list to polarise the sexes? “top 5 films that all girls secretly love but boys will never understand girls long standing devotion to”*.
In no particular order:
1. Pretty Woman
2. Dirty Dancing
3. Room with a View
4. Pretty in Pink
5. Steel Magnolias
I would add BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice except for the fact that it’s not really a film. Still great though, no? And can be watched on endless repeat which clearly makes it a classic. I mean, who doesn’t want to be elizabeth bennet?
[* NB By 'all girls' I mean all girls except Madame Crease who has somehow managed to get to the grand old age of 27 having never seen any of the above films. I know! Outrageous.]
and Pezza has never seen the Sound of Music either. Scandalous.
More shocking revelations to come. Watch this space.
By: ellie on February 13, 2008
at 12:52 pm
clearly I have ZERO shame. But fortunately the rest of you need not panic, none of these films will every make it to film club. James would rather poke his eye out with a spoon.
By: ellie on February 13, 2008
at 12:54 pm
i don’t want to be elizabeth bennet…
By: tom darcy on February 13, 2008
at 1:24 pm
After our conversation in the Hemmy last night Matt and I are going to start the 80’s epic cartoon club. Who’s in?
The Mysterious Cities of Gold
Battle of the Planets
Ulysses 31
Defenders of the earth
Thundercats
By: Mark Fletcher on February 13, 2008
at 1:34 pm
sorry I don’t remember the 80s….
By: the joker (aka bananatom) on February 13, 2008
at 1:46 pm
I too am wondering where the other photos may be Steve…
Steve I have to confess that these outbursts are doing much to stimulate a sense of surprise about peoples views and how strongly - whether comically or not - they being shown.
To write westerns off is just pure lunacy and not even worth a response.
I don’t see what there is not to get about Being John Malkovich? Or for that point what there is to get?!
Regarding 80’s cartoons I was surprised to know that there is so much more to the Americanised version’s of the Japanese manga story (we know as Battle of the Planets) - so much adaption. Whatever the case I love it all!! Thundercats was great! I liked Dungeons and Dragons too.
Ellie! I do not have a spoon to hand though perhpas you could pass me the silver one you were raised with in Royal Lemington Spa? (Oooooooo?!?!? Hahaha)
By the way Ellie thanks for your top five crap films list… I was shocked.
So what are we gonna watch at the next film club?
Votes?
By: James on February 13, 2008
at 2:07 pm
silver spoon?
i will have a look, it is probably in the drawer with the napkin ring, cake fork and grape sissors
don’t knock Royal Leamington Spa, you’re just jealous you’re not part of the Spa crew. Admit it.
and those five films I listed are not crap. In fact, I think you may have just proved my point about boys not “getting” the genius of such movies. I am going to go now and try to get some more ladies on this blog… I need some moral support
By: ellie on February 13, 2008
at 2:24 pm
I would sheepishly admit to my parents owning silver napkin rings, cake slices, grape scissors and condiment dishes, but you probably all suspected it. oh well.
Westerns are crap. (Sorry just felt I had to get that in there again).
But oddly enough, my uncle’s (who is a soldier) favourite film is pretty woman. unbelievable.
By: being tom preston on February 13, 2008
at 2:47 pm
I’m here with you Ellie! how on earth can those films be counted as crap!!!
I think i would also add Love Actually to that list!!!
I do want to be Elizabeth Bennett!
By: sarah wall on February 13, 2008
at 3:03 pm
errrrr, i don’t know if i really want this to be my maiden voyage into the scary world of film club but in the name of girly solidarity…
i also love pretty woman.
and love actually.
and it goes without saying that i want to be elizabeth bennett.
also, dirty dancing has one of the best lines in a film ever.
By: newish on February 13, 2008
at 3:20 pm
it’s ruth by the way. newish ruth. man, i hate discussion boards.
By: newish ruth on February 13, 2008
at 3:21 pm
I want to be Elizabeth Bennett too…. That’s my favourite book - but this isn’t a book forum.
Anyway in the same way lots of boys love Thundercats (my baby brother was/is a huge fan) lots and lots of lovely women love Dirty Dancing and Pretty Woman.
I know it’s not the best cinematography or script by a long shot, but it still is very special, especially if you grew up watching them at every sleepover you ever attended…
By: Rachel on February 13, 2008
at 3:53 pm
Main reason for liking Thundercats is Cheetara, to be honest…
… actually that makes me sound like a freak.
By: Matt on February 13, 2008
at 8:17 pm
Ladies, I think you’ll agree we can pretty much wrap this debate up with the following words:
NOBODY PUTS BABY IN THE CORNER
p.s. Matt, yes I’m afraid that does make you sound a bit of a freak…
By: Sarah on February 14, 2008
at 11:01 am
Unfortunately you are babies for liking such visual baby food such as legally blonde et al.
On to maters of importance (nose in the air)…
It seems that the musical Jesus Christ Superstar may be a good film to watch?
It has been mentioned by a few people and has been made firm as a potnetial by Helen at our homegroup last night.
What say you all?
I know it’s musical but pretty relevant to the core of our lives and as the clip showed at the weekend away creates some interesting juxtapostion and no doubt some interesting debate.
Again I hark… What say you?
By: James on February 14, 2008
at 2:06 pm
PS Cheetara was well fit!
By: James on February 14, 2008
at 2:08 pm
Can I just metion that Cheetara is a cartoon character!!! And you tkae the mick out of us girls!!
On the subject of Jesus Christ Superstar - my copy should be arriving on Friday!
By: Sarah on February 14, 2008
at 3:04 pm
So on this enlightening subject, which other animated film characters do the boys reckon they’d like to point their remote at? I’m going for Jessica from Roger Rabbit…
By: snarff on February 15, 2008
at 12:47 pm
Steve Mawhinney was rather keen on her from what I can rember!
By: Sarah Wall on February 15, 2008
at 2:41 pm
Several things scare me about the turn this blog has taken:
1) I have no idea what grape scissors are let alone ever seen a pair
2) We’ve started rating half human - half animal cartoon characters in terms of attractiveness
3) My name has been dragged into the debate surrounding point number 2
4) And most scary of all we could watch Jesus Christ Superstar at film club. Really???
In a bid to remedy this:
1) I typed grape scissors into wikipedia, they have no idea what they are. Seriously what do you do to a grape with a pair of scissors?
2)/3) I need to make it clear that my comments on Jessica Rabbit were only in the context of if you had to choose a cartoon character who would you go for. Once I passed 24 I began to find real women more attractive.
4) Seriously, no. Is there anything we can do to stop this? This musical has the line “Prove to me you’re no fool / Walk across my swimming pool” in it. There’s not even 1 level on which that’s right.
By: Stephen M on February 19, 2008
at 3:30 pm
Steve, I’m hearing you on the potential film club choice… Lets have something else then.
I have to say your comments did make me laugh somewhat especially the Jessica Rabbit one.
Let’s watch All about my mother?
I have to mention that yesterday my brother bought me a book. Timeout’s 1000 films to change your life arranged by mood/film lead plot. It’s fantastic! Thanks Bruce. Soooo… Be warned. All I can say is that I am hoping to be a bit more informed about this film malarky. I have to say having a brief glance at the book it made me think of how little I know of film…
I don’t understand where grape scissors has come from unless this blog is working on a parallel universe or it has a subconscious level that I am not conscious of…
Grape Scissors… Anybody? (In Little Britain’s weight watchers womans voice)
By: Jimmy Smooth on February 19, 2008
at 5:51 pm
Grape scissors, for the uninitiated (or bored), are funny little scissors that are rather blunt with short, heavy blades, one of which has a protruding bottom ‘lip’. They are used to cut small bunches of grapes from a larger bunch, so you do not have to suffer the indignity of using your hands, or squishing grape juice all over yourself.
Personally, I prefer pulling them off one by one and trying to see how high i can throw each grape up in the air and landing it in my mouth. Or someone else’s mouth.
I’ll get my coat….
By: tom scissorhands on February 20, 2008
at 2:52 pm
There was a scene with grapes in Top Gun wasn’t there? Or was that Hot Shots…..
By: tom gun on February 20, 2008
at 4:55 pm
I’m not going to enter into this ridiculous debate about whatever. But this Friday is the third friday of the month, unless I can’t count, which is when the board of film club decided that the institution that is film club would meet. So I suggest:
a) we watch Caddy Shack
b) we watch Like Water For Chocolate
c) James, you suggest us a few films out of Time Out’s “The 1000 best films in the world ever (part II)”. 10 will do, just for starters.
PS: Watch this space for a list of the 5 top films people at COTC won’t have polarised and opposite opinions about. At least not that they need to air on the blog.
PPS: Tom, I agree with you about Napoleon Dynamite. Rubbish. Apart from the dance scene. (Which isn’t dirty, so you girls probably wouldn’t appreciate it).
By: Jonny O wears prada on February 21, 2008
at 5:22 pm
anyone want to watch life is a miracle? it’s a 3-hour long Bosnian film.
No? thought not….
By: tom is a miracle on February 22, 2008
at 10:10 am
Are we on for tonight? I guess it’s short notice but as it’s half term I can stay out late.
If you want, I have a big pile of free DVDs with the Guardian that’s bound to have something worth watching in. And as it’s the Grauniad there should be pretension freely available for all.
By: Stephen M on February 22, 2008
at 2:46 pm
a love-sick donkey?! is there any point in having a vote?!!!!!
By: tom is a miracle on February 22, 2008
at 3:04 pm
James ‘third man’ get any kind of rating in the top 1000? Has ANYONE actually seen this film? Tell me about it. I hear its AMAZING but from first viewing found the inside of my eyelids a bit more appealing.
I think it could be me and actually I should be ashamed of myself so willing to give it another pop if someone tells me I should.
By: Bee on February 24, 2008
at 1:08 pm
Just got back from Wales and should clearly be at church but instead I’m here on the film blog…
All I can do is really laugh at what’s goin’ on here…
When I do read that book and find a few worth while recommendations I will upload them.
Tom, thanks for all your useful input.
Steve, lets arrange a dat when we can all get together. Er, Ellie had some good suggestions but she has emailed them not blogged ‘em…
B, third man is cack!!! Glad your back…
Tom, I’m up for watching that film… I assume that counts as service to my country?
By: Jimmy Smooth on February 24, 2008
at 7:34 pm
I have a dvd just through from Amazon called ‘Le Diner de Cons’ (Dinner of Idiots) which I think would be right up all of our collective streets.
Basically, some friends have a competition to see who can bring the biggest idiot to dinner. I reckon we could even replicate the film in our own homes!!!
What say thee?
By: le diner de tom on February 25, 2008
at 11:22 am
Jesus Christ Super Star……
7.30 for 8 showing
at church
Tuesday 4th March
I believe there has been some voicing about this not actually being the ‘film club’ but hey, some people maybe excited about it!
Don’t come if you are too pretentious though….. hehehe
By: Bee on March 3, 2008
at 6:43 pm
Yes. It’s back. Film Club - cotc’s very own forum of high brow cultural debate - makes it’s hotly anticipated return, this Friday (i.e. tomorrow). In typical Church on the Corner style we have given you approximately 36 hours notice, so I do hope you are able to join us.
** Please note change of venue***
Friday’s film club will be at my house: 3 Mountgrove Road, N5 2LU. Don’t break out into a cold sweat about the thought of leaving N1. It will be fine. Really.
Film will start at 8.30pm but you are very welcome to arrive any time after 7.30 for food and film club banter.
We will be watching either:
a) All About My Mother - directed by Pedro Almodovar and staring Penelope Cruz
OR
b) The Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line - directed by I’m not sure who, but staring the delectable Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon
By: ellie on April 3, 2008
at 9:42 am
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