Andy DeEmmony's follow-up to 1999’s East Is East is a gently entertaining retread of the same themes — the difficulties faced by second-generation British Asians as they juggle the demands of two contrasting cultures — this time relocated largely to Pakistan. It’s now 1975, and the youngest member of the Khan family, Sajid (Aqib Khan), is struggling with the myriad pressures of puberty. Troubled by his bad behaviour, George (Om Puri) takes him off to the family back home, including the first Mrs. Khan (Ila Arun) and the daughters he left 35 years ago — only to be followed by a jealous Mrs. Khan No. 2 (Linda Bassett). Ayub Khan-Din’s screenplay offers warm humour and cosily soapy drama, yet new insights are thin on the ground. Light and unremarkable.
West Is West Review
Manchester, 1975. The youngest Khan, Sajid (Aqib Khan), rebels against the staunch muslim traditions of his father. In one last, desperate bid to keep him on the straight and narrow, Khan Sr. packs him off to the Punjab.
Release Date:
12 Sep 2010
Certificate:
15
Original Title:
West Is West
Eleven years on but without a great deal more to add, DeEmmony's saga runs out of gas.
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