Dirty Pretty Things is a movie about people who refuse to be a victim of their circumstances. Dirty Pretty Things deals with love, fear, desire and total numbness towards human dignity. Dirty Pretty Things is the final proof that Audrey Tautou is ‘ber-adorable as an actress, of which Am’lie was exhibit A. Dirty Pretty Things touches, impresses, grabs you by the throat and is a small movie that deals with huge things. Finally, Dirty Pretty Things is one of the most charming little movies I’ve seen this year.

Okwe is a refugee from Africa, graduated as a doctor but now trying to make ends meet as a taxi driver by day, hotel employee by night and a part-time doctor whenever the situation demands him to be. Senay is a Turkish immigrant being chased by the Immigration Authority because they suspect she is working illegally. Okwe secretly sleeps at Senay’s place and she works as a maid in the same fancy hotel at night. When Okwe makes a rather gruesome discovery in one of the hotel room’s bathroom, he soon finds out the nature of some of the practices taking place in the hotel during nocturnal hours.

At first it is not totally clear where the story of Dirty Pretty Things is heading. Throughout the movie the interrelatedness of the characters is spun out. Everyone seems to know a little bit about the malpractices that use the expensive hotel as a cover-up. Everyone has his or her reasons to co-operate in these schemes. The great thing about this movie is the fact it is all so understandable and almost adorable. The way director Frears (High Fidelity, Liam) depicts the events and unfolds the story is a revelation. Audrey Tautou, previously known for her adorable performance in Le Fabuleux Destin d’Am’lie Poulain proves to be a true discovery. The way she plays the modest shy Turkish girl Senay is breathtaking. Dirty Pretty Things is just so cute you can’t help leaving the movie theatre with a huge smile on your face, although it is more of a bitter one than the impression Am’lie left. But hey, life is bitter and the protagonists in this movie take their chances and teach life a lesson.

Directed by: Stephen Frears
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sergi L’pez
Official website

‘Dirty Pretty Things’ runs 107 minutes and is now showing
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