 Dirty Pretty Things (2002) There were elements I liked—you don't see a Nigerian man as the lead in many films, and the grimy London underbelly setting was unusual—but there was not one goddamn second where I cared at all about what was happening. Stephen Frears, who did The Grifters among others, here offers a moral drama played off against the seedy world of organ harvesting. The film revolves around a few key pieces of information being withheld, so you keep waiting to find out the truth. But when you finally do, you're like "That's it?" And the "twist" climax is so predictable that you feel burned by having sat through both turgid hours. Frankly, I've seen many episodes of "Law & Order" that traversed similar terrain with much more suspense and payoff. I'm not even inspired enough to give away the plot, which is something I normally relish. That's how dreary this one is. On the other hand, there is a subversively comic aspect, albeit unintentional, to the film being marketed on the strength of Audrey Tautou's role—I have to chuckle a bit at some intellectual fuckwit Nordstrom-shopper-types going into this expecting another Amélie. Any of those hopes are obliterated when dear Audrey is forced to fellate a slimy, fat, old Indian guy. Charming!
Review by Steve Wonderballs |