Let me explain my comment above. So far on IMDb, I have reviewed over 1000 films but am more torn over this review than almost any of the previous ones. That's because the fundamental plot device, people selling kidneys on the black market to get fake passports, just seems too wild to have even a grain of truth. As a result, I did a little bit of research. I already knew that some people in India had apparently sold organs (at least according to the BBC), but also know there are a lot of urban legends about the sale and theft of organs that are widely believed but not at all true (such as rumors of Westerners going to 3rd world countries to "adopt" kids just to harvest their organs). So, although I felt stuck about this plot element, not everyone will react that way (I guess I think too much some times). If you suspend disbelief, it's a much better movie.
Now as for the film, I feel that the real stand out star is Chiwetel Ejiofor as "Okwe". Although he is a relative newcomer, he was great i the lead role--handsome, believable and a heck of an actor. On the other hand, although I know many loved Audrey Tautou, I felt while she is a decent actress, she was wrong for the role. Although her command of English is excellent, she was expected to play a Turkish Immigrant and her accent was all wrong. Instead, it would have made a lot more sense to have her play an Algerian or Tunesian refugee, as her accent would have made a lot more sense since these were former French colonies--you just wouldn't expect to hear a French accent in Turkey! The writing and direction, aside from my complaint about the believability of the plot, were excellent and really kept my interest. While at times it was very hard to watch the film due to the harsh realities of daily life for illegal immigrants or immigrants working illegally, it IS a problem so it is definitely fair game for a movie. However, this is one of the LEAST kid-friendly films I've seen in some time, because the plot is very very adult, so I would strongly caution parents not to let their kids see this film.
Now as for the film, I feel that the real stand out star is Chiwetel Ejiofor as "Okwe". Although he is a relative newcomer, he was great i the lead role--handsome, believable and a heck of an actor. On the other hand, although I know many loved Audrey Tautou, I felt while she is a decent actress, she was wrong for the role. Although her command of English is excellent, she was expected to play a Turkish Immigrant and her accent was all wrong. Instead, it would have made a lot more sense to have her play an Algerian or Tunesian refugee, as her accent would have made a lot more sense since these were former French colonies--you just wouldn't expect to hear a French accent in Turkey! The writing and direction, aside from my complaint about the believability of the plot, were excellent and really kept my interest. While at times it was very hard to watch the film due to the harsh realities of daily life for illegal immigrants or immigrants working illegally, it IS a problem so it is definitely fair game for a movie. However, this is one of the LEAST kid-friendly films I've seen in some time, because the plot is very very adult, so I would strongly caution parents not to let their kids see this film.