Dirty Pretty Things (2002)

Undocumented immigrants Okwe and Senay work at a posh London hotel and live in constant fear of deportation. One night Okwe stumbles across evidence of a bizarre murder setting off a series of events that could lead to disaster or freedom.

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writer:

Steven Knight

Stars:

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Audrey Tautou, Sophie Okonedo

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 17 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Okwe
Kriss Dosanjh	...	Asian Businessman
Israel Oyelumade	...	Mini Cab Driver (as Israel Aduramo)
Yemi Goodman Ajibade	...	Mini Cab Driver (as Ade-Yemi Ajibade)
Nizwar Karanj	...	Mini Cab Driver
Deobia Oparei	...	Mini Cab Driver
Jeffery Kissoon	...	Cab Controller
Zlatko Buric	...	Ivan
Audrey Tautou	...	Senay
Sophie Okonedo	...	Juliette
Sergi López	...	Sneaky (as Sergi Lopez)
Benedict Wong	...	Guo Yi
Kenan Hudaverdi	...	Cafe Owner
Damon Younger	...	Punter
Paul Bhattacharjee	...	Mohammed

Storyline

Okwe is an illegal Nigerian immigrant leading a hard life and struggling to survive in London's underground. He works as a hotel receptionist in the night time and as he has a doctor degree he practices some medicine, during the day, in a very odd way. Besides that he must constantly escape from Immigration officers. One day Okwe discovers by chance an illegal scheme of surgeries is being lead by Juan, his boss in the hotel. Juan quickly comes up with a tempting proposal: if Okwe accepts to perform the illegal surgeries he makes a lot of money and gets legalized situation in the U.K. Can Okwe keep his moral values intact?

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Plot Keywords:

underwear | nigerian | hotel | immigrant | surgery | 

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Taglines:

Every dream has its price.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, disturbing images and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Chiwetel Ejiofor and Benedict Wong would later go on to star in Doctor Strange (2016).

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Goofs

When Okwe and Senay are drinking wine, Senay lifts a full glass. In the next shot, the glass is 3/4 full.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Okwe: Do you want a car? Ten pounds, Theatreland. Car? London? You want a taxi? Buckingham Palace.

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Connections

Referenced in Fantasmes! Sexe, fiction et tentations (2013)

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Soundtracks

This Man Is A Doctor
Written and Produced by Nathan Larsen
Published by Miramax Film Music (BMI), Hot One Inc

User Reviews

Worth seeing

A thoroughly engaging film which I would have no hesitation in recommending. Other reviewers have given away the major elements of the plot which may mean that you may find that it takes time to "cut to the chase" if you read the comments here before you see it. You are better off seeing this film "cold" knowing neither the plot nor the players. It does tend to get a bit goarey towards the end, but not without reason. A well written, superbly acted (especially by the two leads) and expertly directed work that makes you continue to believe that cinema can still be political and make important points without hitting you over the head with a blunt instrument. My only minor crib would be the accents which can be difficult to decipher or in Tatou's case slightly off (her character is supposed to be Turkish but the accent is more Eastern European).

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English Somali Spanish French

Release Date:

5 September 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dirty Pretty Things

Filming Locations:

28 Southwark Street, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$100,512, 20 July 2003

Gross USA:

$8,112,414

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,904,766

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films, Celador Films, Jonescompany Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1