Great film: Funny, charming, poignant, refreshing

East Is East, a culture-clash comedy set in the 1970s, is a great film. It is thoroughly accessible, and while it never takes itself too seriously, it still manages to be a funny, charming, poignant and refreshing film. It starts off a bit slow, but the performances, script and story more than makes up for it. The script is constantly funny, and the story is surprisingly compelling about Asian integration in Britain.
Om Puri especially gives a powerful performance as the patriarch of the family. While he loves his family very much the traditions make him a very strict father. Linda Bassett is great as his wife, and out of the younger cast, Jimi Mistry really stands out.
The sons yearn for freedom, and are resistant to the life their father wishes them to lead.
All in all, a great film that breaks the mould for films similar to it.

8/10