Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Matylda Swan It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

moviexclusive It's been more than 10 years since the film version of Ayub Khan-Din's semi-autobiographical story about the tale of a mixed-race British household in Salford, Lancashire in the early 1970s. "East is East" was the title of the film, the intercultural comedy a hit during a time when British Asians were making their mark on pop culture- and films like "Bend It Like Beckham" and "The Guru" became unexpected successes at the box office. Why this sequel has taken this long is perplexing, and why they eventually made it even more so, considering how it is no more than a flaccid attempt at replicating the success of its predecessor.Again penned by Khan-Din, 'West is West' takes place some five years after the first film, and starts off in Britain where the youngest son of the family, Sajid (newcomer Agib Khan) is turning to rebellion to counter the racist bullying he gets from his fellow schoolmates and the admonishments he receives from his parochial father George (Om Puri). Exasperated, the father decides to bring him back to Pakistan to teach him some old-fashioned values and to give him a sense of history and belonging. Their ancestral village in the Punjab is where this coming- of-age tale is largely set, though this is also precisely where the film starts to go very quickly downhill.For the first 15 mins, Khan-Din and director Andy de Emmony successfully recapture the verve of the politically incorrect first film which made it such a hilarious cross-cultural comedy delight- Jahingar's over- protective ways with Sajid and a daft headmaster at Sajid's school are the highlights. But the change in location takes away what teeth the biting comedy had in the first place, and even the occasional sharp line (like 'F**k off, Mowgli' to a local kid who tries to befriend Sajid) disappears altogether once Sajid begins to settle into the rhythm of the local village life.In its place is a contrived story involving Sajid's lessons with the village wise man Pir Naseem (Nadim Sawalha), as the latter urges him to recognise his lineage and to find his direction in life. Naturally, Sajid does, even though it takes some time before he summons the respect for his father. Sajid's coming-of-age is frankly a bore, one that seems obligatory and nowhere near as moving or as engaging as it should be. Faring slightly better are two other parallel story lines- the first about George's older son Maneer (Emil Marwa) and his search for a bride; and the second about George's reconciliation with his first wife and his daughters whom he left behind in Pakistan some 30 years ago.In particular, the latter is anchored by Om Puri's strong performance, portraying the angst and guilt his character feels within him for abandoning his previous family with only the occasional correspondence as well as a regular stipend from England. This predicament also forms the basis of the film's most poignant moment, when George's English wife Ella (Linda Bassett) meets his first (Ila Arun) and proceeds to engage in a conversation that conveys each other's inner anguish despite not being able to understand the other's language. Bassett and Arun are uniformly excellent in their roles, and you can't help but empathise with both at the same time.Yet the emotional impact of this exchange is ultimately dulled by a film that meanders too long and too aimlessly for its own good. There is little to be learnt or enjoyed in this intercultural movie, a sequel that loses the jocular and irreverent tone of the first film. It doesn't matter if you're from the East, or from the West- this is one boring affair whichever side of the continent you hail from. www.moviexclusive.com

Murli Despite my disappointment of East Is East I was still looking forward to watching the sequel especially since the excellent Om Puri and Linda Bassett were returning to reprise their roles as husband and wife. Initially I was a bit disappointed but after a second viewing it really hit home and I really enjoyed the movie.Om Puri was really the shining star. His backward, obstinate set in his traditional roots character really faces his demons in this sequel, learning some valuable lessons. Puri did a fantastic job of showing the variety of emotions of someone in his predicament: Growing up in the old style, adjusting to the new style in UK and then having his worlds collide when he returns to Pakistan with his youngest son.At first I didn't have any sympathy for Sajid, the youngest son. He was rude and a total brat. There was not that much likable about him. But as I started to understand the world from his eyes: the racism in UK, that he was confused about his cultural identity and that his father didn't make things easier by not understanding him better. I liked the way the director showed the transformation in Sajid.East Is East had more humorous moments than East Is East, especially regarding Maneer's wedding prospects and it provided light hearted moments in a movie that tackled some serious and tough themes. The music in the movie is fantastic and the song at the end will definitely tug at the heartstrings. Anyone who has ever said goodbye to a loved one, friend or family, not knowing if they'll ever see each other again, will find some identity with the song. All in all this is a recommended watch, and at least twice. Once to get a feel for the movie and then the second time to understand the characters and their motivations. Om Puri, Linda Bassett and the wonderful music are the very reasons to watch this hidden gem, for the tones and themes will remain with you long after the movie has ended and it's a very pleasant feeling.

apq24 They say good things take time and this belated follow up to the 1999 hit East is East has been over a decade in the coming. Happy to say the wait has been worthwhile and writer Ayub Khan-Din has written a sequel that is every bit as much involving, fun and moving as the original. It's 1976 and Salford chip shop owner's George Khan(Om Puri)'s youngest son Sajid (Aqib Khan)- one of the offspring of his second marriage to feisty white northerner Ella (Linda Basset) is having a tough time at school and becoming a bit of a rebel. Determined to sort the lad out out George whips him off to the home town he himself hasn't been back to in 30 years in rural Pakistan. There he meets a slew of relatives including the Mrs Khan number 1 (Ila Aran) as well as Sajid's brother Maneer (Emil Marwa) who has been unsuccessfully searching for a wife. A series of tragi-comic events follow as Sajid's learns some important life lessons. George meanwhile faces something of an identity crises as he is forced to confront both his past and present. Following up Damian O'Donnel's 1999 original was never going to be an easy task but director produces a follow up that is worthy successor to the original. Performances are excellent across the board with the likes of Nadeem Sawalha, Lesley Nichol, Robert Pugh, Zita Sattar and Raj Bhansali, playing excellent supporting roles. There's a brief but amusing cameo by Jimmi Mistry who reprises his role as Sajid's elder brother Tariq but we don't get to find out what became of his other brothers Saleem, Abdul, Nazir and sister Meenah. Though with Khan-Din talking about a third film in the series hopefully we will get to find out in the next installment. All in all this is an excellent film which takes a light hearted but thought provoking look at themes of family,culture and identity.

madporee Went to see preview this morning. Not a bad film, better than I expected... but clearly nowhere near as good as East is East, but still, lots of funny moments mixed some real emotional stuff too, towards the end. Worth going to see, as long as your expectations aren't too high! Just go for a bit of fun and don't make comparisons with East is East. Jimi Mistri only appears in one small scene, which was a pity, and Archie Panjabi was missed too! That said, Om Puri is outstanding again as George Khan and the new Sajid, Aqib Khan, proved an excellent grown up replacement. Also a real treat to see Nadim Sawalha in this one! I didn't pay to see the film, and probably won't be going to see it again.