Review: Brick Lane

In this lurching narrative, a young Bangladeshi woman is shipped off to London to marry an older man.

June 21, 2008

Based on the celebrated novel by Monica Ali and directed by Sarah Gavron, "Brick Lane" is about a spirited young woman from a poor Bangladeshi family who is shipped off to London to marry an older man for whom she is temperamentally unsuited. For most of the movie, we feel as trapped as she does, and the lurching narrative seems anything but novelistic. As the young woman, Tannishtha Chatterjee has a lovely presence that deserves a stronger setting. Grade: C (Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and brief strong language.)