West Is West

A sequel to EAST IS EAST (1999), WEST IS WEST follows the passage of George/ Jahangir (Om Puri) as he travels with son Sajd (Aqib Khan) to Pakistan so as to 'educate' his son. However the process of adapting to the new culture after a life spent in Salford, Greater Manchester, proves more difficult for George than it does for his son. Andy De Emmony's film makes some trenchant points about the difficulties of cultural adaptation, and how it is impossible to 'go back' to one's home culture and expect to live life as one did before emigrating. There are some very funny moments in this film, especially Sajd as he gradually adjusts himself to alternative ways of life. However the ending represents a bit of a cop-out, as George/Jahangir returns to Britain to resume his life as a chip-shop owner with his second wife Ella (Linda Bassett), leaving his first wife Raushana (Dhanalaxmi Padmakumar) to fend for herself - just as he has done for most of the previous three decades. The fact that he can re-open the chip shop - despite having no money - seems a little hard to believe; and we wonder how he will be able to take care of his Pakistani family in the future, even if it means only sending them money.

As suggested by its title the film is a sequel to the late nineties Hit flick "EAST IS EAST". But it really doesn't matter if you haven't seen its first part as the movie is quite self explanatory for the viewer, without depending much on its original. Clearing the confusion which might be there looking at its promos, it's an English film with a regular use of Punjabi language throughout its almost 2 hours of duration and has some great soulful tracks in Punjabi too.

Where EAST IS EAST was more English, witty and entertaining, its present sequel is more traditional, emotional and meaningful in comparison. In the first part (released in 1999), the script revolved around the youngster's fast life in England, but in its present new version, the family visits their mother land, Pakistan and tastes the traditional way of life in a village. For the viewers not familiar with the story, WEST IS WEST is basically about Om Puri (who was a Pakistani national), now happily settled in England, with his new family looked after by his second wife who is a loving British Lady. After few incidents of his youngest son being bullied in the school and also getting caught for shop lifting, Om decides to take him to Pakistan and introduce him to his own culture. And there we get to see some impressive transforming sequences involving everyone in the family.

The film doesn't excite you enough in its first 10 minutes but as soon as the family reaches Pakistan, the pace picks up and some new interests are generated by the script. But here I would like to mention that apart from a few comic scenes mostly dealing with the language conflicts, WIW is not a comedy film from any angle. In fact that is a wrong kind of promotion strategy followed by its makers. As a result all the viewers opting for it taking it as a Brit-Asian comedy are going to be disappointed for sure.

On the contrary, WIW is a true to life, emotional depiction of the trauma faced by a torn personality living abroad who still has his heart caught somewhere in his mother land. It has some interesting characters like that of a Sufi Saint, a young wandering boy, a 'trying to be honest' relative who speaks broken English and many more. The director, Andy De Emmony beautifully captures the emotional distress of four of his characters in particular. Om Puri, who still can't make up his mind and always feels confused between his two families living in different countries following extremely diverse traditions. Ila Arun, his first wife, who is unwillingly living her life in a Pakistani Village still waiting for her husband to return. Linda Bassett, his second wife who is a loving British national and a very understanding, caring women willing to empathize with Ila and her helpless situation. And Aqid Khan, the youngest son of Om-Linda, who gracefully tries to study his father's country and its tradition but at the end has to return for his own future.

The film becomes a watchable effort mainly because of the splendid performances by these four actors. Especially watch out for the highly sensitive and impactful portrayal of an aging lady by Ila Arun who has undoubtedly given one of career best performances in the movie. Just look for a particular scene where both Ila and Linda are together on the screen and Ila gives her consent for her husband's return to England.

Along with its expressive cast, WIW has a great ethnic soundtrack with few fabulous tracks by Sai Zahoor (famous for his Coke Studio songs), who also makes a cameo in the film. Thankfully the Music CD of the film also has the Coke Studio versions of his songs which were earlier not available in the market. The background score, which also features in its CD, brilliantly gels with the village sequences shown on the screen and cinematography rightly captures the mood of the film.

However the film does have its own drawbacks and also doesn't have a universal appeal. It has a dropping pace and lacks the entertainment quotient since there are not enough enjoyable or comic sequences in the film as expected. So the viewers who are not willing to watch some meaningful cinema may get bored with its off-beat kind of subject and treatment.

But still, it's a different kind of experience, moving a step ahead from its first part. And hence I would like to rate it as a better sequel since it is able to deal with the emotional outbursts of its characters in an impressive way.

Really quite a funny look at a clash of cultures.The acting is uniformly good and the script well written.However I do wonder whether the boy would have been the only boy of Aisian ethnicity in 1976 Salford,and whether he would adept to life inPakistan.

East is East was a very enjoyable movie, with a great cast and a perfect balance between the funny and the poignant. West is West is a more than worthy successor. I agree some of the secondary characters were little more than caricatures and while there are some funny moments both visually and in the script, some of the humour does for my tastes get rather slapsticky. That said, it is a good-looking film and has a great well-paced story complete with a well-observed look at the cultural divide. The soundtrack appeals, the script sparkles with a number of moving and identifiable scenes and West is West is directed beautifully. Once again, Om Puri and Linda Bassett are outstanding in the leads, and while a brat at first Sajid wins you over in the end. Jimi Mistry's cameo was neat but all too brief. Overall, worthy sequel and a very good film. 8/10 Bethany Cox

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.