Room to Rent

Very British film comedy-romance-drama about immigrants trying to 'make it' in Britian. In the same way that 'My Beautiful Launderette' was hard to categorise as straight romance or straight comedy, so is this, but perhaps it lacks the political bite of the earlier film. However it does feature a likeable lead performance and a plot with enough inertia to keep thickening.

The rather linear and limited appearance of Juliette Lewis is a bit of a mystery. I would suggest she was placed in the film, in the same way that 'Four Weddings And a Funeral' wanted an American actress in order to boost box-office. The trouble is: Juliette Lewis has spoken at length about her enjoyment of the script and how seriously she took the role. Yet her role seems very slight and a little bit of a blind alley. If the Mariyln Monroe impersonator looked and sounded little like Marilyn off-stage (perhaps with a Birmingham, England accent) it would have made more sense and the lead character's love of her would have made his character even more sweetly innocent and endearing.

The last half hour of the film seems to have come from an entirely different script, more fantastical and yet more serious at the same time. Perhaps this is the influence of the literary genre, magical-realism but regardless, it does make for a film that goes somewhere you weren't expecting and how often can you say that about a film?

for the first time a movie that talk about Arabians and Egyptians specifically without making them barbaric nor ignorant. Although (Taghmaoui) is not Egyptian but his perfomnance was magnificent. The same with (Juliette lewis) who made (Marelin Monro) scenes with all her senses. (Khaled El-Hagar) is unbelievely talented in making every scene so every body could feel the movie as if it is his story even if he didnt pass with the same setiuations. The script by (El-hagar) & (Amanda Stewart) was gorgeous because it made the movie very near and close to and thus entertaining for arabians, & very new for non-Arabians by making them exploding new horizons. Other thing was choosing the using ancient Egyptian myths at the end of the film although non realstic. Generally magnificent. Thumbs up.

This movie could in some ways qualify to be a farce, though it's not quite Monty Python. The story is about a hapless writer/student/waiter from Egypt trying desperately to stay in England, and all of the schemes he gets into to try to stay. The situations he gets into are unbelievable (that's why I think this movie should be considered a farce), but always entertaining.

BTW, if you liked this movie you might also like the film, The Guru. The Guru however is not quite as likeable as this film.

Simply a ride!, hilarious never ending twist after another of a script, a lot of brilliant edit cuts, great acting, and above all obviously a top notch director who scores high when its about humor in film.

You will never guess where this story will take you the next second and its always while you are laughing on that the next twist comes and its always as un-imaginable and un-believable as you can... well... can not think of! yet very well paced and written and very truly delivered from the actors that you accept it willingly if not lovingly. Then you get addicted to the ride! Addicted to the point that you would not want it to end without a major meaning to the whole ride as if it is your own! It is truly very entertaining and engaging in a whole different sense if not "Genre" if I may say.

The script carries you from one twist to another with a very special sense of humor present almost in every scene that really grows on you by the end! Khaled El Hagar (the writer/director) comes up with a last twist that is of course un-expected as you can expect after going through this ride with him! Could not help think he could be a re-encarnated Great Director! trying to tell us that in his own very personal classic non cliche smart and witty way!

A MUST FOR MOVIE LOVERS.

We enjoyed this film from start to finish - it is charming, funny and interesting.

Fine actors such as Rupert Graves and Anna Massey provide excellent support for the talented Said Taghmaoui who plays the lead.

The plot is a little predictable, but no real harm in that. Issues around economic migration and the way women are treated in our society are given a light touch but are respectably covered. This film does not have the depth of Dirty Pretty Things, for example, but does not set out to have that depth.

The early sequence filmed at night along the Edgware Road in London really captured the bright lights and chaos of the neighbourhood. Do try the shawarmas in Maroush/Ranoush if you get the chance to make a pilgrimage there, by the way. They are the best to be had outside the Middle East.

Great fun, see it and enjoy.