Starring: Tannishtha Chatterjee, Satish Kaushik, Christopher Simpson
Directed by: Sarah Gavron
(15), 102 mins, 2007, UK
What's the story?
It's 2001 and Nazneen has lived in the East End of London for 16 years with her husband Chanu from an arranged marriage and their two children. Frustrated with her dutiful life, she takes on home working as a machinist, but ends up getting involved with Karim, the young guy who delivers the clothes for her to sew. Post 9/11 and against a background of rising racial tension and her affair with Karim, Nazneen goes through an awakening - in more ways than one - and takes control of her life, but is then faced with the ultimate dilemma.
Who's in it?
Tannishtha Chatterjee is delicate and serene as Nazneen, who blossoms into a sensual, strong woman. Satish Kaushik, who plays her husband Chanu, is well known as a comic actor in India. Chanu is a loving man, bound by his cultural background but who emerges noble in the end. Special mention also to Naeema Begum who is outstanding as Shahana, the elder daughter.
Liking?
The sumptuous cinematography really shines, painting rich swathes of colour that contrast with Nazneen's initially drab existence. Her backstory is told in flashback, reminding Nazneen of happier times with her sister in their Bangladeshi village, while the beautiful soundtrack mirrors the gentle pace of the movie.
Not liking?
The film being dropped from its Royal Film Performance due to a "scheduling problem". There had been protests during filming - and when the book was originally published - by some Brick Lane residents who said that Monica Ali's 2003 novel "insulted" their community. Director Sarah Gavon says those parts of the book don't feature in the film and that she hopes people who watch the film will see there is nothing to object to. So do we.
Verdict?
Beautiful looking and touchingly played, Brick Lane is a story of love, of universal truths, finding your way in world and deciding what's important in life. Already award-winning, expect the accolades to rack up through 2008.
Rating
5 out of 5
Showing nationwide from 16 November
