[Ann From Sailens] Stephen Frears' Dirty Pretty Things (2002)
Michael Glass
ГРЯЗНЫЕ ПРЕЛЕСТИ
/DIRTY PRETTY THINGS/ Великобритания 2002 107 мин.
Триллер/Детектив
Режиссер: Стивен Фрирз
В ролях: Чиветел Иджиофор, Одри Тоту, Сержи Лопес, Софи Оконедо, Бенедикт
Вонг, Златко Бурич
Мировые кассовые сборы - 14 млн. долларов.
Номинация на премию "Оскар" в 2004 году в категории "Лучший сценарий".
Премия Венецианского кинофестиваля.
Обладатель 7 Британских кинопремий.
Тайный мир Лондона, скрытый от посторонних глаз... Девушка (Одри Тоту -
"Амели") и парень (Чиветел Иджиофор - "Реальная любовь") работают в отеле,
где по ночам кипит особая жизнь и всем заправляет Проныра. Однажды они
переходят черту, за которой преступление - единственный выход! Но не
гарантия, чтобы остаться в живых...
Dirty Pretty Things (2002)
Directed by
Stephen Frears
Writing credits
Steven Knight (written by)
Genre: Drama / Thriller (more)
Tagline: Some things are too dangerous to keep secret. (more)
Plot Outline: An illegal Nigerian immigrant discovers the unpalatable side
of London life. (more) (view trailer)
User Comments: Good movie with the star of AMELIE!!! (more)
User Rating: 7.8/10 (3,441 votes)
Cast overview, first billed only:
Audrey Tautou .... Senay
Sergi Lopez .... Sneaky (Juan)
Chiwetel Ejiofor .... Okwe
Sophie Okonedo .... Juliette
Benedict Wong .... Guo Yi
Zlatko Buric .... Ivan
Kriss Dosanjh .... Asian businessman
Israel Aduramo .... Mini cab driver
Yemi Ajibade .... Mini cab driver
Nizwar Karanj .... Mini cab driver
Dhobi Oparei .... Mini cab driver
Jeffery Kissoon .... Cab Controller
Kenan Hudaverdi .... Cafe owner
Damon Younger .... Punter
Paul Bhattacharjee .... Mohammed
(more)
MPAA: Rated R for sexual content, disturbing images and language.
Runtime: 97 min
Country: UK
Language: English / Somali
Color: Color
Sound Mix: DTS / Dolby Digital / SDDS
Certification: Argentina:16 / Brazil:14 / Canada:14A / Denmark:11 /
Finland:K-15 / Hong Kong:IIB / Netherlands:12 / New Zealand:R16 / Norway:15
/ Portugal:16 / Singapore:R(A) / Sweden:11 / Switzerland:14 (canton of
Geneva) / Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) / UK:15 / USA:R
DIRTY PRETTY...
User Comments:
DJ Akin (Donn...@aol.com)
AZ
Date: 24 August 2003
Summary: Good movie with the star of AMELIE!!!
I didn't realize that AMELIE was the main character. She played a TURKISH
WOMAN in this movie. The movie was good. This black man drives cabs and
works at the front desk of a HOTEL. However, this BLACK MAN is really a
DOCTOR. He befriends AMELIE and the adventure is off. There are many bizarre
scenes and the plot delves into KIDNEY SELLING which is all to real.
IMDb user comments for
Dirty Pretty Things (2002)
metrobiz
Louisiana
Date: 26 April 2004
Summary: Spare Film Tells a Rich Original Story
A spare film which gets richer in the recollection of it later. The seeds
sown in the first (slow) hour yield a ripe story harvest in the second.
Audrey Tautou presages her rise in "Amelie," in this just prior project,
delivering a compelling perf as a determined waif without papers. Although a
BBC production, the film has an international flavor not typical of some of
the more popular British pics due to the multicultural cast and choice of
ethnic locations in & around London. Several comments have mentioned the
sexual content of this movie. There is plenty of it, but it is inexplicit
and always in an unsavory or tragic context. The love and romance which
surfaces in the film has a magnetic pull unto itself.
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psdotcom
Date: 20 April 2004
Summary: Okwe's story
Although he received third billing, Nigerian born Chiwetel Ejiofor is the
real heart and soul of this film as the hotel clerk, cab driver, (and, as we
soon discover, doctor) Okwe. He is the moral compass in this tale of
depravity in the world of undocumented workers in London. It was Ejiofor's
outstanding performance that drew me in, and he is DTP's obvious star. All
of the characters were true to life. I especially liked the slight comic
relief supplied by the Russian doorman and the Chinese morgue worker. A
subtle, extremely well written thriller with an underlying, achingly sweet
love story. Dead-on dialogue. Beautifully shot. Creepy but never disgusting.
A beautiful portrayal of human longing and moral outrage by Chiwetel
Ejiofor. And of course, lovely Audrey Tatou as the object of his restrained
affection.
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cooldiva_2 (coold...@yahoo.ca)
Toronto, Canada
Date: 16 April 2004
Summary: Very Original, and intriguing.
I Loved this film!, and the originality of it, the acting was superb, and
the storyline, I liked the fact that Stephen Frears uses no typical British
characters, and that everyone in the film is foreign, it shows a side of
London, we never ever hear about, and a controversial subject that not many
filmmakers would want to tackle. I will definitely purchase it when it comes
on DVD. Chiwetel Ejiofor is a brilliant talent in the film. I hope to see
more of him on the big screen, as well as Audrey Tautou. What a refreshing
team, as opposed to the regular well known celebrities we're bombarded with
frequently. That's what makes the film fresh and real. Excellent film!.
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cooldiva_2 (coold...@yahoo.ca)
Toronto, Canada
Date: 16 April 2004
Summary: Very Original, and intriguing.
I Loved this film!, and the originality of it, the acting was superb, and
the storyline, I liked the fact that Stephen Frears uses no typical british
characters, and that everyone in the film is foreign, it shows a side of
London, we never ever hear about, and a controversial subject that not many
filmmakers would want to tackle. I will definitely purchase it when it comes
on DVD. Chiwetel Ejiofor is a brilliant talent in the film. I hope to see
more of him on the big screen, as well as Audrey Tautou. What a refreshing
team, as opposed to the regular well known celebrities we're bombarded with
frequently. That's what makes the film fresh and real. Excellent film!.
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cooldiva_2 (coold...@yahoo.ca)
Toronto, Canada
Date: 16 April 2004
Summary: Very Original, and intriguing.
I Loved this film!, and the originality of it, the acting was superb, and
the storyline, I liked the fact that Stephen Frears uses no typical British
characters, and that everyone in the film is foreign, it shows a side of
London, we never ever hear about, and a controversial subject that not many
filmmakers would want to tackle. I will definitely purchase it when it comes
on DVD. Chiwetel Ejiofor is a brilliant talent in the film. I hope to see
more of him on the big screen, as well as Audrey Tautou. What a refreshing
team, as opposed to the regular well known celebrities we're bombarded with
frequently. That's what makes the film fresh and real. Excellent film!.
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Gary Murphy (g...@hilbertinc.com)
Olathe, KS, USA
Date: 16 April 2004
Summary: Fascinating Characters in an Interesting Plot
I originally selected this movie because of an interest in Audrey Tautou.
She has been in some interesting movies and I find her to be an interesting
actress. I was not disappointed in this movie.
The screenplay is about a seedier part of London life that crosses paths
with Okwe, a African immigrant of very high character. Audrey plays his
friend and co-worker in the movie. The characters are very well developed
and the plot avoids the obvious cliches. It is billed as a thriller, but not
in the traditional sense of being "spooked" or "startled". It is an
interesting plot that slowly unfolds as the complexity of the characters
becomes more revealed.
This is an exceptionally well done plot with very good characters. The only
(very minor) drawback is that I had a hard time with Audrey Tautou as
Turkish. She is so definitively French. Her character and the acting more
than compensates for this minor detraction.
I highly recommend this movie.
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roman882
Date: 9 April 2004
Summary: Highly recommended
Hollywood can never take the risks this movie does. This is a good movie at
various levels. The risks it takes, the human conditions it portrays, and
performances it displays. The script is very strong and engaging.
It is hardhitting but it does not do it in any pretentious sort of way.
There is a geniune effort in dramatizing the story. Definitely an above
average movie. The acting is superb. The direction is as always great.
I was quite impressed by the male lead acting. He did an excellent job.
Others actors were quite convincing as well. The characters are all
befitting and believable. Real but yet suitably dramatized. Shows a great
deal of grip on the story.
Strongly recommended.
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fragasm
California
Date: 8 April 2004
Summary: Yawn Festival
This is a movie that you want to like because you know it's supposed to be
chic, it's supposed to be hard-hitting, it's supposed to be intellectual.
Damn, what a yawn festival though. This is a thriller? Give me Hollywood
tripe any day if this is what qualifies as highbrow entertainment.
A 1 star movie with an extra star thrown in for the great acting by the male
lead. Forget the nonsense you keep hearing about the supposed 'twist'
ending. You can see it coming a mile away.
Save your money for something more thrilling, like spectating a chess match.
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alexduffy2000 (alexdu...@yahoo.com)
Santa Monica, USA
Date: 6 April 2004
Summary: Pretty Vacant (and we don't care)
"Dirty Pretty Things" is a mystery movie, and an entertaining one to watch,
but hard to swallow. Maybe life is tough for illegal aliens in London, but I
don't think it's THAT tough. In L.A., it's pretty easy for illegal aliens to
get phony passports and other documentation, they certainly don't have to go
through what the immigrants did in "Pretty." The UK version of the INS, at
least as depicted in the movie, seem to be pretty efficient, but are they
really that way?
As I mentioned, this movie is entertaining, and it's fun to watch the three
protagonists Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Senay (Audrey Tautou), and Juliette
(Sophie Okonedo), match wits with the villainous Juan (Sergi Lopez). I
guessed the ending about 30 minutes before the movie was over, but that
didn't matter, it was fun getting there all the same. I enjoyed it, but I
don't know if I'd recommend it. The movie is less deep and meaningful than
it thinks it is.
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eXpas
Indiana, United States
Date: 3 April 2004
Summary: Not very culture-sensitive
I think if you are trying to make a social and factual movie, you have to
reflect the facts in a more accurate manner. But as a person who knows
Turkish culture very well, my idea on the "Senay" character is, "she has
nothing do to with being Turkish". Well, definitely it isn't the only thing
that shows the poor quality of underlying research, but let me only talk
about the part that I know well enough.
It isn't clear why she wanted to immigrate or what was wrong with her mom's
life that she'd prefer "this" life to the life "there" without showing any
signs of regret. It isn't clear whether she was a big city girl or a village
girl. It isn't clear whether she has a polical stance or not. She was just a
"made-up" prototype, which is a religious but modern muslim virgin,
supported by a totally irrelevant "Yilmaz Guney" poster on her wall.
Apparently, Yilmaz Guney is the only thing the makers of the film know about
Turkey, but they are not aware that it is not very likely that he will be an
idol for a 22 years old sufficiently religious girl of today.
Other small details... Do the music and her dance have something to do with
Turkish culture? How many people have heard about villagers chewing that
awakening plants in Turkey? How many young Turkish girls will reply as
"Muhammed" to "Jesus". Well, might be they could reply as "Allah" but it is
unfortunate to see that the makers of the movie didn't care to learn that
the prophet's name would never be used as a daily exclamation in muslim -or
at least Turkish- culture. And something more, wouldn't it be better for
Tatou to speak English with her own French accent and not annoy us by her
"forced" "Turkish" accent?
Good idea, fair story, but no cultural sensitivity. So, I am sorry, but two
thumbs down.
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tdarugar
San Diego, CA
Date: 29 March 2004
Summary: Clever intrigue and engaging characters. See this movie.
Saw this movie by sheer luck, and I must say it was excellent. The
characters were likable, and I was actually interested in what happened to
them.
The main actors are all excellent. Chiwetel Ejiofor is very strong - I'd
love to see him in more movies. Audrey Tautou gives a great performance.
Besides the strong acting, the storyline is surprisingly good. The intrigue
is woven so neatly in with the human story of the immigrant that I found
myself more emotionally involved in the movie than analytically - and I tend
to be overly analytical. So many times I thought the story would head down
the road of pure melodrama, sugary uplifting nonsense, or mindless anger,
and as many times I was wrong - the directory throws in enough elements to
keep you glued in, but keeps the story on a tight, clever path to the end.
To boot, here's a rare movie that had me engaged enough in the characters to
not foresee the twist in the end.
If you like a smart story and strong characters, definitely see this. Hell,
even if you don't, see this anyway.
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thunger
Palo Alto, CA, USA
Date: 28 March 2004
Summary: Tautou You
Unless you are rather squeamish, go see this film before reading any further
here or elsewhere.
Which is to say.....
POTENTIAL SPOILERS ON THE HORIZON
I try to avoid almost all reviews myself these days until after I've seen a
film. Somehow I became aware that this film had an element involving organ
abduction, which as I wrote in my review of "The Harvest" (1993) has
fascinated me since I received my first email warning of this happening to
unsuspecting business travelers.
Suffice it to say, the realization of that process is a bit more believable
here (although not without its own flaws). But then this is not really a
21st century film, it is really more of a throwback. A romance blooming in
the darker alleys of a thriller.
Very methodically the two main characters are maneuvered through mazes of
desperation. The contrast in the crassness they must face, helps to make
their moments together seem even more gentle, more sweet. I think the
acting, mind you not the accents, is very consistent through this.
Audrey Tautou may upset some young Turks; but for us ugly Americans, she
remains exotic and exudes a vulnerability in this film without saying a
word. I think she will become pure Bjork for the silver screen, a
combination of girl-woman. And more films need dervish dancing in them!
That being said, everyone in this seems well-cast. I will go see at least
one other film featuring Sergi Lopez. His swagger in this is spectacular,
very charismatic and that's tricky to do as the villain. There is one
pivotal scene where he seems incorrectly naive, but then the plot twist at
that point is *definitely* a throwback.
While some may feel this film portends to be something more in the
socio-economic realm, I don't think that is the case. People can feel
trapped in a number of settings, and again the traps laid here are done
skillfully. We get to focus on the characters stuck in them.
Yes, quotes like "we are the people you do not see" do make me think of
Studs Terkel or some other suitable source. But that message, like
everything in this film from the soundtrack to the dialog to the use of
silence to the amounts of humor, everything here is very well-measured.
As for that humor, the "pork/lamb" line I thought was a nice chuckle as well
as a way of intimating a deeper concern from Okwe to Senay. I very much
enjoyed the character of Guo Yi as well for similar relief.
I'm so glad that the E.U. has outlawed sequels... I really do *NOT* want to
see the madcap reunion of Okwe and Senay honeymooning in some fancy hotel,
when who should appear at the front desk but Senor Juan. Nooooooooo!
7/10
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surfandski
Date: 27 March 2004
Summary: A Brilliant script with acting and direction to match.
This movie is a true gem. One of the few critically aclaimed movies that is
worthy of all its praise. It is a real treat to watch a movie that you have
not 'seen' before in one way or another, this is one of them. This movie
oozes originality, from an excellent script, to unknown excellent actors, a
direction that transports you right into the harsh world of the undocumented
immigrants of London. As far as Oscars are concerned, as the old saying goes
'we was robed'. If you are sick and tired of the all american cinematic fast
food rehash that Hollywood cranks ad-nauseum while wasting millions, then
treat yourself to this european gourmet dish. 10/10.
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(ctomvelu)
usa
Date: 27 March 2004
Summary: Very good
An engaging British indie about illegal immigrants toughing it out in
London. Their story is crossed with a subplot involving the harvesting of
human organs, a wonderful urban myth the filmmaker has some nasty fun with
throughout this strong character study. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sergi Lopez and
Audrey Tautou all give great performances as three foreigners trying to make
a go of it in a world that essentially is blind to them. Quite a twist at
the end, one that either will appall or enthrall you.
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George Parker
Orange County, CA USA
Date: 25 March 2004
Summary: A slightly flawed gem
"Dirty Pretty Things" tells an obviously fictional tale about an illegal
immigrant in the UK; an African doctor (Ejiofor) who discovers a human organ
black market operation in the hotel where he works as a night clerk, is
blackmailed because of his illegal status, falls in love with a Turkish
illegal immigrant (Tautou) who also suffers coercion at the hands of her
evil employer, and sets about to right all those wrongs in one fell swoop.
An engrossing no frills human drama, "DPT" takes hold quickly, builds depth
and humanity into its characters, lays out multiple plot lines with
continuity and coherence, wrestles with moral issues, doesn't resort to
cheap and tawdry thrill tactics, and wraps up neatly in the end...an
accomplishment which even with the biggest and the best Hollyweird has to
offer seldom achieve. This little foreign gem is not without its plot holes
but makes for an engaging watch which received numerous critical raves and
awards nonetheless. (B+)
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jos-destrooper
Belgium
Date: 26 February 2004
Summary: Completely immoral
This movie is immoral: its climax is a revenge because Sneaky could "take"
Senay before Okwe could make love to her. The taking of the kidneys of
Sneaky is horrible and morally completely unjustified. The end with Okwe
weeping is a weak and sentimental anticlimax. The ways illegal immigrants
steal and fraud the passports is unacceptable to be defended as a story in a
movie. The way the immigration inspection is depicted is laughable and
cannot be taken for serious at all. This movie is seriously suffering from
the intention of the director to deliver a message which is not reaching its
goal because of the immoral undertone of the entire movie. One should be
disgusted by the way some people try to undermine the immigration system.
The result is clear: poverty, slums and bad housing and people doing
everything to stay in London where they continue their life in depravation
and solitude.
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Helder Antonio Rosa de Lemos
Date: 23 February 2004
Summary: Excellent. Brimming with humanity and social issues.
This is Stephen Frears at his best - quite remarkably he touches on many of
the most important issues in today's urban societies.
We see and hear the stories on illegal immigrants on the daily news, but we
are mostly plainly insensitive, perhaps it's just because we never really
know who these human-beings really are. Not with this film. Here the main
characters could so easily be our city neighbours; normal people walking
along the streets, riding with us along the subway, right there beside us.
But we so called privileged do not really see them; they quietly and
obediently serve us, drive us around, clean up the mess we so negligently
loiter and leave behind, etc, etc.
Quite simply: we take them and their personal plights for granted.
Chiwetel Ejiofor who plays the main charcter Okwe, has a remarkable
performance - understated but always aloof, laced with true worldly wisdom
and the fullness of human intelligence, compassion, understanding, loving
tenderness, and ultimately and most importantly -human survival.
IMHO this is up there with The Shawshank Redemption, that is, I can only
hope that the best of the human spirit and ingenuity will always triumph
over those who exploit human frailness by practicing injust, evil deeds.
5 *****
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Meher Kourouyan
Los Angeles, California
Date: 10 February 2004
Summary: A Dirty Pretty Film
A DIRTY PRETTY FILM
Review by Meher Kourouyan
Dirty Pretty Things takes us to the Baltic Hotel in London, which is
employed by illegal immigrants and vagrants, which are the respectable ones
in the hotel. The story centers around two main characters, Okwe, a Nigerian
immigrant played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who fled his country to avoid a prison
sentence. And Senay, a Turkish-Muslim immigrant played by Amelie's Audrey
Tautou, who's there only to raise enough money to go to New York in search
of a new life.
Okwe works at the Baltic Hotel as the front receptionist taking care of the
residents. Senay illegally works at the Baltic Hotel as a maid and is
renting out her couch to Okwe for extra cash. One night, Okwe discovers
something strange in one of the rooms in the hotel and brings it to the
attention of the owner, Sneaky Juan, played by Sergi Lopez. To Okwe's
astonishment, Juan is not surprised or concerned about the problem and just
blows him off. Soon Okwe finds out the truth about Juan and the dirty things
occurring at the hotel. Juan insists that he's in the business of happiness
and tries to employ Okwe in his endeavors.
Senay is seeking refuge in England and thus according to London's
immigration laws, she's not allowed to work for six months or rent out any
part of her apartment for extra cash. Immigration is on to her and is
following her around. She is forced to leave her job at the hotel and finds
work at a local sweatshop. That job also falls through and she reluctantly
turns to her old boss, Juan, for help. His help comes with a high price tag
but she has nowhere else to go.
As the movie unfolds, we discover more and more about these characters and
why they are where they are. The film is also seasoned by colorful
characters that make the film feel very authentic. Each one has its own
unique personality. The doorman at the Baltic who delivers food to the
residents of the hotel after room service is closed. The hooker who rents
rooms at the hotel in short time spans. The owner of the sweatshop who wants
favors in return for hiring illegal immigrants and not reporting them.
Okwe's pathologist friend and chess partner who supplies Okwe with
medication the sell on the street. The pimp who buys the medication for his
employees at discount prices. All these characters give us the feel of what
it's like on the seedy streets of a London that we're not used to seeing in
films.
Dirty Pretty Things is helmed by veteran director Steven Frears who's best
known for his films Dangerous Liaisons, The Grifters, Hero, and more
recently High Fidelity. Each one being different then the one preceding it
and this one follows that pattern while keeping with his realistic style.
Chiwetel Ejiofor's acting is extraordinarily natural with great sensibility
and emotion. Chiwetel portrays the inner struggle of Okwe without being
melodramatic or obscene. Audrey Tautou is a French actress playing a Turkish
refugee. Audrey's performance was delicate and internal, but her accent
needed much work. I was distracted by her accent coming in and out. It is
important to her character that she's Muslim, and I think they filmmakers
chose Turkish because Audrey's pale complexion could physically resemble
that of a Turk as opposed to a Moroccan or a Saudi.
In the end, the characters and the story work for me. I was interested from
beginning to end. If you're disgusted by all of Hollywood's endless high
budget, uninspired, mindless sequels/prequels TV adaptations and fluff, this
is the film for you. If you want to vegetate and numb your mind go and see
some of the other films that the media is pushing.
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eadon-com
Shropshire, England
Date: 1 February 2004
Summary: Preachy
Dirty Pretty Things is an English movie about the dodgy London underworld.
The crime portrayed in this thriller does not involve drugs, and only
casually touches upon prostitution. Illegal immigration into England is one
aspect of the crime trade, and, unsurprisingly, the filmmakers treat the
illegal immigrants sympathetically. The media's and politicians' sympathy
for illegal immigrants (sorry, asylum seekers as the PC phrase puts it) is
at odds with the general public outrage that, for better or for worse, is
down to the fact that most "asylum seekers" are no such thing, they are
illegal economic migrants that are an exponentially increasing cause of
crime, falling education standards, poverty and, especially in the case of a
small but dangerous minority of muslim "asylum seekers": terrorism.
The lead in Dirty Pretty Things is a Nigerian in exile from his own country.
It made a pleasant change to see a black character protagonist portrayed as
a caring professional with a love of chess rather than an egotistical,
bad-ass, wise-cracking hip-hop clown like Will Smith. Chiwetel Ejiofor holds
the movie well as the struggling Okwe.
The leading lady is Audrey Tautou, of Amalie. She was tone-perfect in that
movie, but perhaps the idea in Dirty Pretty Things was to shake off the
Amalie image, for here she is different, but for the wrong reasons: she
seemed lost in space. Her performance was stiflingly self-conscious and few
of the scenes she was in worked. There was no chemistry between the two
leads. Whilst her character was an emotionally suppressed muslim, she merely
came over as stiff. When (extreme) things happened to her, I was not moved,
I did not feel her pain, which, given the magnitude of the torment, was
rather shocking in itself. I can't put my finger on whether this was chiefly
down to lousy acting, directing, casting or an equal combination of those.
(The exception was with Tautou's scene with the whore in the bathroom in
which a fleeting flash of humanity and spontaneity lit up the screen). When
she is advised that if she lives the role then she will not be suspected,
she (the actress and the director, not the character) should have scribbled
down notes.
Dirty Pretty Things has some suspense, but this was not cranked up enough,
and this movie is particularly unconvincing but then again unconvincing
things do happen where people are desperate.
Fortunately the lead was very watchable and the slightly hammy supporting
actors: the bad guy, the porter and the mortuary technician make the movie
breeze along nicely. The comic relief was handled in an underused way in
these attention Deficiency Disordered days, through sly wit, not buffoonery.
One of many great sentiments was that if you are good at chess, you are bad
at life. A cliche, but a tasteful one! (Mind you, yours truly is lousy at
both).
All in all, Dirty Pretty Things has just enough to make it interesting, if
not plausible. This movie is doing something right: most of the time I felt
uncomfortable watching the machinations of the poor: a voyeuristic guilt I
suppose. It makes a change from sitting through crap about the glamorous and
the rich. Whereas the rich are too unworthy to have a heart, Dirty Pretty
Things is too busy being worthy to have a heart.
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prairiem
Valier, Montana
Date: 22 January 2004
Summary: Urban Myths
Two urban myths began to go the rounds a few years ago: one was stories
about people who were slipped a mickey in a bar or in a hotel room and woke
up in a bathtub without a kidney. The other was about a toilet found to be
blocked by a human heart -- but where was the rest of the human? Clearly,
the script writers started with these two ideas and wove them together into
a movie. They did very well indeed, using ideas that were little more than
morbid one-paragraph stories to tell about human beings and how they "lose
their hearts."
It interests me that I see a new stock character evolving in films: the
large, competent, black man with a strong religious/moral stance. Djimon
Hounsou has taken this role in "Amistad," "The Four Feathers," and "In
America." He runs the risk of always being type-cast, so I'm sure he's glad
to see another actor with the "stature" (literal and psychological) to take
these roles convincingly. The return of the Sidney Poitier figure! And this
time he's from Africa in the stories, which makes him a little bit like an
American Indian -- tribal, you know.