Brick Lane (Review)
Analysis and Critique of the Film Based on the Novel by Monica Ali
Brick Lane tells the story of a Bangladeshi girl who, at seventeen, is entered into an arranged marriage to an older man and begins a new life in England.
Based on the novel by Monica Ali, Brick Lane has been brought to the screen with style and sensitivity by first-time director Sarah Gavron. It tells the story of Nazneen, a seventeen-year-old girl from Bangladesh who is entered into an arranged marriage to an older man, Chanu. Thirteen years later, in 2001, Nazneen (Tannishtha Chatterjee) and Chanu (Satish Kaushik) are living in England and raising two daughters.
As she communicates intensely with her sister from abroad via letters, Nazneen reveals a deep longing for home, but is bound to her less-than-successful husband and their children, her life seemingly lacking both passion and meaning. However, this all changes when she strikes up a friendship with the young Karim, whom she meets when she takes up a sewing job. Sparks soon begin to fly between the pair, and Nazneen’s world is turned on its head.
An Impressive Performance from Tannishtha Chatterjee
Brick Lane hits all the right notes emotionally, and the style with which it’s been executed makes up for some of the more familiar and predictable elements. As soon as Nazneen exchanges those looks with young Karim, it’s fairly obvious that the character is about to transgress the boundaries of her existence, before reaching a point of self-realization.
The performances are beautiful, especially that of Tannishtha Chatterjee, who at all times conveys a dignified resignation and a simmering passion bubbling away just beneath the surface. Also impressive is Satish Kaushik - what could have been a one-note, oppressive male figure in Chanu turns out to be a well-fleshed, sympathetic character genuinely struggling with the dual roles of father and husband. Music, cinematography and use of location also deserve mention for their quality.
Brick Lane's Thematic Concerns
The film also has a wider scope thematically, dealing with the immediate aftermath of September 11 as experienced by the Muslim community in Britain. Beginning with a collective experience of shock, the various emotions and responses of the characters shift from fear to anger, unity to division as the catastrophic event splinters the community. This sub-plot provides the story an added layer of depth, shedding light on a very specific group of Islamic followers whose plight has not been documented to the same extent as those in other parts of the world (such as the US).
A Strong Debut for Sarah Gavron
Brick Lane is a very assured debut for Sarah Gavron. It’s an emotionally satisfying piece that achieves a good balance between filmic style and narrative substance. Themes of identity, belonging and sacrifice are all touched upon in Nazneen’s story, and she’s an easy character to feel for.
What holds this film together so impressively is the central performance of Chatterjee, who is surely a name to be seen and heard of more on the strength of this film. So good is her performance in fact, that the film’s more ham-fisted moments (such as the heavy reliance on flashback and voice-over) become easier to overlook. This really is a little gem and one that deserves to be seen by more than just the arthouse crowd.
