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      East Is East

      R Released Apr 14, 2000 1 hr. 36 min. Comedy List
      79% 33 Reviews Tomatometer 78% 10,000+ Ratings Audience Score George Khan, proud Pakistani and chip shop owner -- Ghengis to his kids -- rules his family with a rod of iron. He thinks he's raising his seven children to be respectable Pakistanis. But this is Salford in the North of England, in 1971. Much as George's English wife, Ella, loves and tries to honor her husband, she also wants her kids to be happy. The children, caught between bell-bottoms and arranged marriages, simply want to be citizens of the modern world. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Nov 01 Buy Now

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      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member This bitter-sweet tale of the life of a working class, mixed heritage family growing up in 1970s Manchester is keenly observed and as an accurate feel. Om Puri cuts a tragic figure as George Khan, a Pakistani man married to a white woman, Ella (Linda Bassett) and struggling with his own cultural identity as he raises his kids in a back-to-back terrace at a time of racial unrest. He is a man of traditions and values from another time and continent while his kids are wanting to break free from the stifling restraints of a patriarchal system and their own poverty. The movie skilfully blends the story threads of the lives of the various siblings, parents and neighbours but it is George who takes centre stage and we see his life unravel as he realises that he is the one left behind in a rapidly changing world. This is a tale that is still as relevant today as when it was made back in the 90s and it has a lot to teach about tolerance, acceptance, love and the importance of letting things go. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a British classic of my childhood. A story of a clash of cultures and beliefs both within a family, and the larger world outside. George Kahn. A proud Pakistani Muslim man living in Salford in the 1970s with his Lancashire born and bred wife and his mixed kids. All of which are anything but traditional well behaved Pakistani children, as George would like. No... demands. And it drives George round the bend. Whilst George loses his temper and becomes a tyrant to his own family, it's his long suffering wife who holds the family together by practicing the art of compromise. Despite dealing with a couple serious issues, this film is filled with great cynical and funny Northen (English) humour. Abit crude at times but real. Dealing with issues like immigration, differing cultures, arranged marriage, identity crisis, even domestic violence. It jokes about almost all this. Apart from the domestic violence scene. Which is taken very seriously in the story and is a powerful and shocking scene acted brilliantly. But in our British tradition, it finds the humour and light heartedness in even the grimest of sectors and situations. All in all, it's a big thumbs up for East is East. Mrs. Shah: "I will never allow my daughters to marry into this jungly family of half-breeds. Ella Khan: Well they may be half-bred, but at least they're not friggin' inbred like those two monstrosities." Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member British Pakistani family struggle with integration through generational change. Society breaks down and morals must be renewed. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Superbly real depiction of a clash of cultures both within a family and in the wider outside world. Though set in the 70s to accentuate the cultural diversity, it remains poignant and impressively highlights the difficulty of mixed race kids in establishing an identity they are comfortable with in a world of competing peer and parental pressures. The icing on the cake is the genuine warmth and humour laced into the plot. It hasn't aged a day either, still fresh. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review zapata l Straightforward and honest social commentary about how certain cultures conflict so much, a reconciliation may just not be possible. Funny and original script, mixed with superb acting. Absolutely loved it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Movie night with Iris. Not seen this film in years. Stands up well to the test of time, and really gets the 70s look spot. Pleased that Iris loved it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Photos

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      East Is East

      Director Damien O'Donnell and screenwriter Ayub Khan-Din in Miramax's East Is East Linda Bassett and Om Puri in Miramax's East Is East From left to right: Emil Marwa, Raji James, Chris Bisson, Archie Panjabi, Jordan Routledge (front), Ruth Jones, Jimi Mistry and Emma Rydal in Miramax's East Is East Emma Rydal and Jimi Mistry in Miramax's East Is East Archie Panjabi as Meenah Khan in Miramax's East Is East Jimi Mistry (top) and Chris Bisson in Miramax's East Is East Jordan Routledge as Sajid Khan in Miramax's East Is East View more photos

      Critics Reviews

      View All (33) Critics Reviews
      Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: C+ Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Pakistan mixes with UK in cultural identity drama. Rated: 3/5 Dec 24, 2010 Full Review Bryan Poyser Austin Chronicle Rated: 2.5/5 Mar 24, 2003 Full Review Alistair Lawrence Common Sense Media Although East Is East is an ensemble piece, it is Puri's performance as George Khan that powers the plot. His increasingly desperate attempts to raise a family who embody his own, idealized values has both funny and tragic consequences. Jun 14, 2023 Full Review Jim Lane Sacramento News & Review Rated: 2/5 Aug 7, 2008 Full Review Robin Clifford Reeling Reviews Rated: B Apr 9, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis George Khan, proud Pakistani and chip shop owner -- Ghengis to his kids -- rules his family with a rod of iron. He thinks he's raising his seven children to be respectable Pakistanis. But this is Salford in the North of England, in 1971. Much as George's English wife, Ella, loves and tries to honor her husband, she also wants her kids to be happy. The children, caught between bell-bottoms and arranged marriages, simply want to be citizens of the modern world.
      Director
      Damien O'Donnell
      Executive Producer
      Alan J. Wands
      Screenwriter
      Ayub Khan-Din, Ayub Khan-Din
      Distributor
      Miramax Films
      Production Co
      BBC, Assassin Films, Channel 4 Television Corporation
      Rating
      R (Language|Domestic Violence|Sexual Content)
      Genre
      Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Apr 14, 2000, Wide
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Mar 17, 2017
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $4.2M
      Sound Mix
      Surround, Dolby Digital
      Aspect Ratio
      Flat (1.85:1)
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