| Although the film flip-flops and completely loses it's delicate balance right before it concludes, there is enough that is absolutely right to recommend this autobiographical look at a working class Muslim family in Manchester, England. The humor is warm and genuine, and the inevitable brutality we uncomfortably witness is believable. The acting is first rate with a couple of marvelous stand out performances. East is East is set near Manchester in 1971. We meet George Khan (wonderfully played by Om Puri- who played a similar role in the better; My Son the Fanatic) who has one daughter and six sons, runs a fish and chips shop, and tries to control the lives of everyone in his family according to strict Muslim codes of behavior. Since he's also trying to be a good Muslim, good businessman, good father and keep up with current events involving the India-Pakistan war, he is not in touch with the details of his children's lives. In fact he doesn't even realize that his youngest son was never circumcised as is a Muslim tradition. He is also trying to be a good husband for the English woman he loves. Yes, his children are mixed, they are English and Pakistan. George's children see him as a hypocritical tyrant who screams orders to his family about the proper way to dress, the need to attend Muslim religious school, the necessity of arranged marriages which he himself has turned his back on, since he has left the first Mrs. Khan back in Pakistan. It's is the Muslim way of things and arranged marriages is how it must be done and George's offspring should not ask questions of how he married their English mom, but get in line and do as they are told. How the family relates to each other is captured well in the opening scene which shows his children naughtily joining a parade of Catholics, while their Mom, Ella (in a powerfully effective performance from Linda Basset), distracts their father George just enough so they can get away with their playful ruse. In an early scene, George's eldest son runs from the alter just prior to wedding a young Pakistan girl in an arranged meeting. He flees the alter and the family. Later it's matter-of-factly revealed he's gay and part of a very successful high fashion shop (hats I believe). To George this son has not just rejected the arranged marriage and become independent, but he has died. The tone that is set is one where humor comes out of very real autobiographical vignettes that seem authentic and realistic. In fact the film is based on a stage play which has been adapted for the screen by the play write; Ayub Khan-Din. It's directed by a very confident and assured freshman director, Damien O'Donnel. There are many themes that are woven throughout the film, the clash of traditions versus juvenille rebellion, the importance of family, the racism this family of Pakistani's face from even their neighbors, the sibling rivalries, the pursuit of one's dreams, the dangers of false pride, and the importance of love. All of these things are well balanced through almost the entire film. The performances are all very strong. There is an extended sequence involving the youngest boys' need for a circumcision, which is played mostly for humor, but reveals again how dominating George Kahn and his insistence of being a good Muslim family truly is. There are subplots involving a neighborhood romance which strike just the right type of awkward tone. There are several comedic moments that arise from the family's living conditions. Three of the six sons share the same bed. There is no indoor toilet facilities so pee pots and cast iron tubs are still in use. The film sharply turns to show us a brutal and disturbing scene. It's a scene that feels truthful and makes the film a lot more powerful than the almost light comedy it has been. Unfortunately after the film becomes disturbing it then tries tries to quickly shift back to it's earlier lighter tone. This attempted shift feels all wrong and left me with many mixed feelings. If we are indeed being authentic, then the film-makers insisting on trying give the film a feel-good type of ending is utterly hypocritical and false. Perhaps the material was mercilessly cut, and several scenes exist on the cutting room floor ( or in the original theatrical play) that would have made the film play much better. Or perhaps the film-makers failed to realize just how much impact the bit of brutality we see really has. It's a pity because when the film tries to switch back it derails and loses it's slice of life honesty to become just another film that only partially lets us peak into the lives of people who are different, yet very much like we are. I am glad however, that ultimately despite the flaws, and disappointing ending (where loose ends are left dangling everywhere) there is a deep lingering sense of the love and commitment that exists in a very strong, very unique marriage -George and Ella's. East is East won the Alexander Korda award for Outstanding British Film at this year's British Academy Awards. It's almost ironic since George Kahn is based on writer Ayub Khan Din's father who worked as an extra not just on Dam Busters (which is mentioned in East is East) but also on one of Korda's films as well. Kahn had some problem with racism on the set until Korda sat with Kahn during his lunch breaks. | 
