James Absolon explains how this Pope-themed film, despite its risky premise, works
Alex Pollard reviews Hollywood's biopic of the controversial Margaret Thatcher
Adapted from the novel by Monica Ali, the film follows the life of Nazneen (Tannishtha Chatterjee), a young girl from a small Bangladeshi village who is forced to leave her family and move to east London to marry a man she’s never met. She sacrifices her happiness to care for her family and remain loyal to her husband (Satish Kaushik). That is, until she meets Karim (Christopher Simpson), an impulsive young local man, and begins a passionate affair with him.
The core message of Brick Lane is one of relationships and love, in its various forms. It cleverly draws a distinction between passion, and the love which gradually builds over time that we often don’t recognise. Chatterjee portrays Nazneen brilliantly as a repressed woman who is finally learning to live for herself, and her uncertainty over which path to choose – her family or her own happiness. What adds to her confusion is that the two choices are not as separate as they initially appear.
It is in these glimpses of disparity that we are able to see our own culture for what it really is, and enjoy the irony that other cultures perceive it as exotic
One of the things I enjoyed most about the film were the subtle references to culture, and the stark contrast between the vibrant colours and textures of Bangladesh and the grey, gloomy life in east London. It is in these glimpses of disparity that we are able to see our own culture for what it really is, and enjoy the irony that other cultures perceive it as exotic. Light hearted humour comes in the form of a local tattooed woman wearing a black strapless top with a white bra…
Throughout the film, Nazneen dreams about returning home to her beloved sister, but comes to the realisation that home is a relative thing towards the end. It reminded me of The Namesake (which you should also watch, incidentally!) , in that it emphasised cultural differences and revolved heavily around the theme of belonging, and what ‘home’ means to the characters. The conclusion to the story is unexpected and particularly moving. It is also fittingly unresolved, but in a way which leaves you feeling contented. This is definitely not one to be missed.
Brick Lane is showing at City Screen until Thursday.
You must log in to submit a comment.
