East is East……anyone else not get it?

[sochicsocheap]

I’m early 30s so not sure if this is why I have this opinion….after lots of talk from people I know/online hype I finally watched East is East.
When it ended I was a bit I thought there was another 30 mins left. I don’t get it, I don’t understand the hype…I was sure it was meant to be a comedy? Is it just me? Did I completely miss a hidden plot?

@Tillymintpolo 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Liked both of the film's. Also in West is West, things come back and bite George in the arse. Especially when he's hurt about Sajid becoming close with the kind mystical man. Also his Pakistani family have their own greviences against him.
Should make a third film where George's families reflect on what a well meaning arsehole he was at his funeral (Om Puri died few years ago). Should call it home is best

I really like it. Bittersweet.

By the same director, the absolutely charming “Heartlands” is one of my favourite movies. Soundtrack by Kate Rusby makes it even better😊

It's an excellent film. Some brilliant performances.

I saw the play a few years ago and the comedy felt much broader on stage.

@ClariceQuiff yes, it’s the film version of Billy Eliot I’ve seen and love! I’ve never seen the musical version but must try and get around to it one day as I’ve heard good things!

I’ve just watched the trailer of ‘Brassed Off’ - had never heard of it but that’s also something I think I should watch! Thanks!

Love it. It's a classic.

It’s in my top ten films.

I loved East is East, I saw it at the cinema when it came out and a good few times since. I wouldn't class it as a "comedy" but it does have very funny moments.

It’s kitchen sink realism. It has elements of horrific drama and comedy because life does.

Also I do think being part of that culture helps.
The comedy that comes from recognising a lot of the family conflicts and in jokes.

But generally it is a v British genre the kitchen sink Tragi-comedy isn’t it. Americans don’t have the same sort of thing at all.
The way we can take quite bleak too is but inject familiar humour into it.

The Full Monty is about a dying northern town sinking into poverty and mass unemployment. Not exactly feel good. Except it is because it depicts everyday misery and how people try to have a laugh (or else they’ll never stop crying!) East is East is totally
In that vein

@BakeOffRewatch I've NC for this because it's ridiculously outing and specific, but I used to work for Honey Kalaria!! I've not seen her name in years

Omg it's hilarious

It's a kitchen sink drama, without much of the drama. Just a well observed family piece.

Maybe Nil By Mouth would suit you better?

It's not necessarily of 'its time' because it was set in the 70s, when mixed marriages were unusual, homophobia & domestic violence were rife / acceptable - rather than made in the 1970s or about the time era when it was made (1999) - if that makes sense? Especially in northern England places like Salford & Manchester. It was part documentary for me 😂.

Brilliant film. Watched it with our teens recently and they loved it too.

It's a comedy as much as the recent Outlaws is a comedy. So basically a drama with some very funny lines.

I loved it! I'm glad to hear people are still watching it and enjoying it (other than the OP, obvs!)

It's a lovely film. I always cry at the end.

It is very similar to Blinded by the Light which was about the experience of a Pakistani boy in Luton in the 1980s . Like East is East, it is an affectionate and comic observational comedy.

My Pakistani friend loved it - she loved the fact that there was a movie representing her experience of life and her family dynamic.

Both are still funny. The pretensions of grandeur. The quick one liners. The terrible fashion. The never say die attitude. And the recognition of the funny things that happened then that would never happen now (eg everyone running down the street after a rolls royce).

There needs to be a new name for British observational drama that has funny moments but also deals with social issues head on. It often gets lumped in under "comedy" IMO as people just don't know what to call it.

Like In My Skin for example, which is on iPlayer at the moment.

I absolutely loved it. It's a story about a Welsh teenager trying to navigate normal teenage stuff - growing up, coming to terms with her sexuality etc - while trying to hide her mum's serious mental health problems and that her dad is an abusive shit from her friends and teachers.

It's part-auto biographical, with stunning performances and although there is lots of humour, and the writing is superb, I woudn't call it a comedy. But the BBC has it categorised as comedy drama, which is misleading IMO.

One of my favourite films. Serious aspects aside, there are many comedy lines repeated on our house.

"Not old enough to get married so don't ask me" 😂

I think perhaps if I didn’t go into it thinking comedy, going to be a right old laugh etc then I could have enjoyed it for what it was. No expectations so wouldn’t have been ‘let down’.
It actually just made me think of my childhood (Cypriots not Pakistani) which isn’t something I’d necessarily want to watch in a film, I bloody lived it 😅

It's not an easy watch in parts but I think it's a great film.

This thread has been a reminder of some good films. Off to download them !

I remember seeing this in the cinema as was billed as a comedy but oh my god it was as funny as a wake
Hated every minute of it and however many years later it still pisses me off

It’s in my top ten as well. I agree with the poster who said that it’s a comedy like Brassed Off is a comedy. I wish I could make a film like that.