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I really liked this movie, so why did I have an uneasy feeling about it after I saw it? I returned to this question several times before I figured it out. More on that in a moment, but first to the movie. It gives us the story of illegal immigrants in London who lead quiet lives of desperation while trying to stay at least one step ahead of the authorities who would just as soon deport them as look at them. In this dark and dangerous world we find characters played by Chejwetel Ejiofor and Audrey Tautou, as an overworked front desk clerk who was a doctor back in Nigeria, and a young Turkish woman who wants to find a new life in the United States but who is forced to do almost anything just to survive (and she has to do some unpleasant things.) Against this backdrop, we see Chjwetel's character as he discovers a human heart in a hotel toilet, and later as he discovers the business of selling human organs that goes on in the country. It's a mystery and a thriller, with the hint of an innocent love story thrown in. All of the characters are first rate, especially Chjwetel Ejiofor, who carries a great deal of the film on his back. Audrey Tautou is fine too, and we cross our fingers that her character will get a chance at a new life away from there. So why was I a bit uneasy about this movie? I finally came to believe it's the way the movie was marketed, not the movie itself. If we look at the box, we see a closeup picture of Audrey's character staring into the camera, leading one to think that it's just her story, and also leading the gratuitous sex contingency to hope that they might be in for a 'peep' if they see the movie. We also see 'someone' in silhouette but we have no idea who or why. It almost seems as if this person, whoever he is, is going to be stalking Audrey's character in the movie. We have no idea that this is supposed to be the character of Chjwetel Ejiofor, a wonderful Nigerian actor, and stalking is the last thing on his character's mind in the movie. At least I guess that's supposed to be him, but I can't be sure. My problem is that the producers or whomever, completely eliminated any visual image of Chjwetel on the box, as if he wasn't even in the movie. Of course, once we see it, we realize that not only was he in the movie but he's the major part of it. So why did marketing darken him out? Why didn't they let the public see something of what this movie was really about? I think it's an economical choice; those in power made the decision that a movie supposedly about a sexy young woman with bedroom eyes and bare shoulders would make more $$ than a movie about a Nigerian refugee MD who discovers a black market industry in human organ sales. But by doing this, I think those powers made a big mistake and lost a large part of their potential audience. The gratuitous sex crowd will be turned off when they find that no one in the movie is ever nude, and the crowd that wants to see a Black man on screen (ala Sidney Poitier, Morgan Freeman or Denzel Washington) won't see the movie because they won't know that a Black man is even in it unless they actually get past the box first. So I think that the favorable response to this movie was probably reduced significantly because so many people didn't take the time to see it. I managed to cut through the cover "propaganda' and I found that I liked the movie. It might be the same for you, as long as you have an honest idea about what it is you'll be seeing going in.Read full review
Well I saw "Amelie" and LOVED IT!! and knew that I liked this actress performance enough to go see anything else she would be in, okay so there were only 4 people in the theater to see this movie..... I figured it must be because it's been out a while and there are other newer movies out there that are getting "trailer" play on TV, although I don't remember seeing very many commercials for this at all. I wouldn't say this is a thriller only because my idea of a thriller is one that is a "who did what or who" for 80% of the movie. Not so with this one you do have a mystery to figure out. (do yourself a favor don't read all of the reviews because some of them have spoilers) There are 2 mysteries the main one is where did the heart come from/who the heart belongs to and what is up with Okwe's past? I went not knowing what to expect and I enjoyed the unexpected :) I agree with what everyone else has written, the actors in this movie did a most impressive job Okwe's character was Credible, Sanay (Tautou)was believable, Juliette (the hooker) was likable and even the friend of Okwe that worked in the Morgue was essential to the plot. Fine performances by all. Having worked in hotels for most of my life I found this movie disturbing and a very dark look at the Graveyard shift LOL I definately felt the plight of all the illegal immigrants in London, someone else mentioned that they did not like that, that is ALL the director showed... well my feeling is that this movie is about just that or just them and exsposing the desperate lengths these human beings are willing to go through for a better life. I'm not going to go into the storyline further because the reviews before me have done so extensively. I have come to realize in my journey of Foreign Movies that they don't always end "happy" or at least happily ever after for everyone. If you have a opportunity to see the movie or rent it when it comes out I say go for it it was very well acted and the plot was engaging. Respectfully ReviewedRead full review
Steven Frears bursts back into film with this electrifying thriller, and the most refreshingly smart film in quite awhile. Suspenseful and clever while never involving insanely impluasible twists and turns, and featuring sharp dialogue, brilliant performances, and well written characters. One of those films best seen with no knowledge of it beforehand, so I won't say any more. Just see it, trust me.
Great movie depicting how hard it is for immigrants in France. Saw it on Netflix and then I decided Half.com was the cheap way to own it.
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