IMDB Movie Reviews

East Is East

Date: 21 May 2001
Summary: Serious subject matter, but handled a bit irresponsibly

Though the subject matter is interesting and relevant, I didn't like the absurdly unrealistic character portrayal of the father. I am familiar with the demographic that this movie was trying to depict, and this paints a throughly unredeeming picture of a dysfunctional family. Nothing goes right in this family, from the sibling relationships, to intrafamily communication, to religious education, to anger management... Not to say that some of these issues don't exist in some Pakistani families living in Britain, but the fact that this is a rare glimpse into this population, the viewer can be easily misled into thinking that these backwards-ass families are the norm.

Also, it is transparent that the screenwriter has a bone to pick with a character like the father in this movie, because the father is portrayed as one-dimensional, and hypernegativestereotypical in every way (manipulative, self-centered, violent, grammatically challenged, vulgar, and overall not too savory) and it portrayed almost comically.

There is so much positive, vibrant, and beautiful in the Pakistani culture, and I'm not just talking about the clothing, as it was portrayed here. Most families are much stronger than what they have become in Western society. I wish this film would have had included some of these aspects and not so much ugliness passed off as slapstick.

I didn't want to do this, but after reading how many poor souls think that this movie is an accurate represenation of a Pakistani immigrant, you should know that it isn't!

Most Pakistani men are not so vulgar and stupid, and George does not understand his Islam at all (e.g Children must freely consent to marrying their spouse, whereas George is autocratic, and a man can never disown his son, to name a few doctrinal points). I can say that he does tend to represent all the worst stereotypes of Pakistani culture (the overbearingness, insecurity, arrogance). But this has nothing to do with his religion. More to do with his own misunderstanding of it. And I've never seen anyone so poorly understand it as him. This guy is a creep. Yuck.

The Mission

Date: 11 October 2001
Summary: Possibly my favorite

Not many movies have the ability to bring tears to my eyes as this one does.

It is about the life and death of a tribe, a priest, and a warrior.

SPOILERS BELOW

A first-rate historical drama that treats controversial subject matter (religion, race, personal motivations) through the perspectives of fundamentally different protagonists who nonetheless share close personal relationships. Irons plays a gentle, inquisitive priest who tries to spread the beauty of faith to a tribe of Indians. De Niro is a violent rogue who is confronted with the emptiness of life through his own irresponsible actions. Neeson plays one of his earlier supporting roles.

The humanity of the Indians, who were regarded as "heathens" by most Europeans of the time, is shown to us in heartwarming fashion, and we are touched by the noble efforts of the missionaries. And we also see the self-centered profiteering motives of the Church and European policy that come to a head with those people that truly wish to connect with a totally foregn race. An existential choice is made by thee men of God, and the events unfold in epic fashion.