Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

My Son the Fanatic

Play trailer Poster for My Son the Fanatic R 1997 1h 27m Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
79% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Pakistani-born Parvez (Om Puri) has been a cab driver in the North of England for many years, struggling to provide a better life for his family. He could not be more thrilled that his son, Farid (Akbar Kurtha), looks poised to make a good marriage. But Farid unexpectedly calls the wedding off, suddenly under the influence of radical Islamic fundamentalists, and Parvez consoles himself by having an affair with an understanding prostitute, Bettina (Rachel Griffiths).

Critics Reviews

View More
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
3.5/4
Om Puri's performance is based on the substantial strength of his physical presence, and on his clear-sighted view of his world as an exile. Go to Full Review
Peter Terzian Out Magazine 05/25/2022
Credit Kureishi's sharp screenplay and a first-rate cast: Puri, one of India's best-known actors and rising star Griffiths are remarkable as the unlikely couple. Their nuanced and nurturing relationship make My Son the Fanatic a human-size beauty. Go to Full Review
Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com 01/03/2009
3/4
Puri and Griffiths work beautifully together. Go to Full Review
Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review 08/07/2008
3/5
Urban Cinefile Critics Urban Cinefile 07/19/2008
Australian actress Rachel Griffiths is a knockout as Bettina (real name Sandra) the hooker who finds her own badly needed affection in Parvez. Go to Full Review
Jake Euker F5 (Wichita, KS) 07/29/2005
3/5
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
02/18/2014 Deals with lots of issues in a minority cultured environment in the north of England, but does it in a mildly humerous way, which although is probably better for entertainment purposes also serves to cloud the issues. See more 07/01/2012 well-acted snapshot of immigrant integration against a backdrop of revived cultural pride to the point of fanaticism in the subsequent generation. it raises many questions about society, identity and ultimately compassion. griffiths & puri turn in convincing performances, as did a non-so-familiar younger skarsgard. See more 07/01/2012 there is much bound in the gridlock of duty and desires... and this is a tale of listening to your heart and making hard decisions. See more 04/19/2011 I remember seeing this film, but couldn't remember Rachel Griffiths being in it. Om Puri is such an incredibly talented actor. See more 10/24/2010 A multilayered view on immigration, religion and morality. The Pakistani father wants to move on with his life in the English society but the son seeks connection to his own culture and religion in a fanatical fashion. Really refreshing to see the situation this way for a change. Also some great pieces of dialogue. See more 04/17/2010 It makes some effective points about tolerance and bigotry and the clash between cultures and generations. One the best acting by Om Puri, one of the reasons for making this as my favorite movies. See more Read all reviews
My Son the Fanatic

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
Captives 25% 61% Captives Watchlist Oscar and Lucinda 65% 65% Oscar and Lucinda Watchlist The Theory of Flight 45% 56% The Theory of Flight Watchlist Angel Baby 92% 81% Angel Baby Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Pakistani-born Parvez (Om Puri) has been a cab driver in the North of England for many years, struggling to provide a better life for his family. He could not be more thrilled that his son, Farid (Akbar Kurtha), looks poised to make a good marriage. But Farid unexpectedly calls the wedding off, suddenly under the influence of radical Islamic fundamentalists, and Parvez consoles himself by having an affair with an understanding prostitute, Bettina (Rachel Griffiths).
Director
Udayan Prasad
Producer
Chris Curling
Screenwriter
Hanif Kureishi
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Miramax
Rating
R
Genre
Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 21, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 22, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$408.3K
Runtime
1h 27m
Sound Mix
Dolby