Without being pro-illegal immigration, Stephen Frears‘s Dirty Pretty Things (2002) focuses on a London man who severely exploits African and Muslim immigrants. It is hard to say why, but the film simply does not succeed. Well, I can say this much: there is no chemistry between Chiwetel Ejiofor and Audrey Tautou. Not for a second did I believe Tautou, playing a foreign hotel maid, was in love with Ejiofor.

As well, it would be better had the exploiter (Sergi Lopez) not been a caricature. But beyond this, the picture is still off base. It seems hollow. I don’t think it should have been made.