It is entirely possible to have a captivating thriller without chase scenes, shoot-outs, explosions, or high-octane action. That’s whatStephen Frears' 2002 bold British social thrillerDirtyPrettyThings —with its impressive 94% nod on Rotten Tomatoes—clearlydemonstrates.Set against the still globally relevant subject of overlooked immigrants with London at its epicenter,the film is a statement aboutthe inhumanity of immigration procedures,castigating how people have become secondary to processes. Through his picture, Frears confronts nationalism and argues that people’s nationality, whatever that may be, should not precede humanity. He weavesthis argument through a narrative that is heart-pounding and full of tension;about survival, morality, and exploitation. This boldness is not surprising coming froma director who isn’t afraid to explore different genres, including helming projects likeHigh FidelityandThe Queenas well as some of the most memorable TV series, such asthe historical dramaA Very English ScandalandQuiz.
Dirty Pretty Thingsapproaches this subjectby delving into the lives of undocumented faceless immigrants— though Frears makes a point to give them faces in the film—who live in what seems like a parallel world to the one occupiedby English Londoners. Ironically, while they are always running away from authorities who might deport them,Dirty Pretty Thingsargues thatthe unwanted jobs they do are responsible for the smooth running of the city.Yet for them, the only goal is to survive, and everything else comes as a rare and added bonus. Frearshumanizes andpersonalizes their individual stories, from the hellish backgrounds they fled in their home countries to their unwanted status in their new home.The filmisbrutallyhonestin depicting this secretive world,peeling back the masks of theLondon immigrant workforcein a way that could be replicated for nearly any major city in modern society around the globe.
Chiwetel Ejiofor and Audrey Tautou Shine in ‘Dirty Pretty Things'
Dirty Pretty Thingsfollows the struggles of undocumented immigrant workerChiwetel Ejiofor’s character Okwe and his engrossing noir romance withAudrey Tautou’scharacter Senay.Okwe is a Nigerian doctor who escaped a haunting past in his homelandand works several jobs in London — a cab driver during the day, a guest services agent at a hotel during the night — as well as an ad hoc doctor tending to various medical conditions. Tautou sheds herfantastical-like titular role inAmélieto impressively portraythe 22-year-old Turkish immigrant who ran away from being married off against her will.In London, Senay works a string of odd jobs, one of which is as a maid in the hotel Okwe works at.The two have a deeper relationship than mostwith a lot in common,notably bonded due to the hardships and prejudice they both face.
Frears avoids sentimentalism, allowing Okwe and Senay’s subtleties and the actors' brilliant performances to lead the way. But the real drama that sets the tense tone inDirty Pretty Thingsis when, while at the hospital,Okwe discovers ashocking crime syndicate operationoverseen by his sleazy boss (Sergi López).From here on, it’s a roller coaster for the two, whose struggles to survive cloud their romance, and they realize that their chances of succeeding are much higher if they stick together. The filmunflinchingly covers life in their underclass world,showing the grim choices faced by immigrantsin the shadows.Some of the victims, like Senay, are sexually exploited, while others, like Okwe, are manipulated into offering cheaper services for the underground world,despite already helping to boost the economy.Dirty Pretty Thingsstings in how it ties all these to the city’s original inhabitants,the Londoners who live blissfully either as conduits of or unaware of the exploitation happening right within their vicinity.
‘Dirty Pretty Things’ Blurs the Line Between Reality and Fiction
DirtyPrettyThingsis shot in apulse-quickening documentary-stylewith Frears direction placing the camera right in front of Okwe, Senay, and other immigrants as their lives unfold.Frears forces viewers to experience the immigrants' situations and share in their emotions,whether it’s fear, rage, or hope. The film immerses its audience into seeing these immigrants as individual human beings going through the highs and lows of life. Each of the characters, including those with minor roles like the doorman and the ever-present, quasi-hotel-employee sex worker Juliette (Sophie Okonedo), is undoubtedly purposeful. They not only add meaning to the filmbut also contribute immensely to the overall themeof showcasing the lives of these undocumented immigrants.Dirty Pretty Thingsis more than a thriller,it is a powerful social statement that forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths. Frears succeeds in delivering a tightly woundsuspenseful narrative that is thought-provokingand lingers long after the credits roll.
Dirty Pretty Things
Dirty Pretty Thingsis available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime in the U.S.
