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?

We watched this in RE at secondary school 😂

I’m late twenties and love the film (and have done for years!)
I wouldn’t say it’s a comedy though, although has lighter moments.
I also love the film ‘Anita and me’ which has the same sort of vibes

Thinking of other influences / examples, Goodness Gracious Me was on TV from 1998 and had been on radio for at least a couple of years before that. Again, that was about some talented writers and actors coming of age and making themselves known.

Didn't Meera Syal write Anita and Me, too?

Yes she did. That was a lovely book, the sort that makes you wince but kind of in a good way.

I watched it with an old boyfriend who didn’t get it. I grew up in the kind of neighbourhoods depicted in the film though and it was so accurate and spot on, and funny to me. and I like it when comedies also have a sobering storyline that hits hard, East is East is sad and funny in equal measure.

East is East is sad and funny in equal measure.

Just like real life.

One of my favourite British films. Seen it loads of times. Dark and funny.
Great cast and characters.
The play last year in London was very good.

Rewatched West is West last night thanks to this thread. We decided we love it even more than East is East.

I love East is East and the sequel. They are funny but so very sad and poignant too. I love the music and the fashion. It shows just how tough it was for families - the old and the ones born in the UK.

It's a great film. I don't know how anyone can't 'get it', that's a bit like not getting family life at all. It has some very funny moments and some touching and quite sad moments. It's in my top 20.

Has anyone mentioned the art project yet?

“If I hear another words against my family, I’ll stick that fanny over your bastard head!”

😂😂😂

I'll never lose that image. The Fanny and the phrase "just half a cup" are the first things that come to mind when the film is mentioned.

@FourTeaFallOut

Frigg off and wash your bastard curtains year dirty cow!

If you can remember an insult from a movie decades old, that's a good movie.

Classic line

I found it heartbreaking, although with funny moments. Like some PPs, I'm from an immigrant background, with English friends. It reminded me so much of my childhood, although mine was in London, not up north. Great film.

I love this movie. Watched it lots of times but I remember my uncle going to see it and coming back ranting that it wasnt a comedy.