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Buddha of Suburbia [1993]
![Buddha of Suburbia [1993]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51rlK2CbS%2BL._SL160_.jpg)
Both amusing and disturbing, this story of sexual and political awakening is adapted from Hanif Kureishi's (My Beautiful Launderette) bestseller, with music by David Bowie. Special features:
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £13.59 (subject to change)
Editorial
DVD Description
Naveen Andrews stars as an Anglo-Indian teenager growing up in 1970s suburban London in the acclaimed Buddha of Suburbia.
Audio commentary with writer Hanif Kureishi and director Roger Michell. Music promo video "The Buddha of Suburbia" performed by David Bowie
Editorial
Synopsis
Based on the 1990 novel by author/screenwriter Hanif Kureishi (My Beautiful Launderette), this frank, funny BBC mini-series originally ran on UK television in 1993. It is the mid-1970s, and Karim (Andrews) is a teenager of Pakistani descent in London. His office worker father (Seth) suddenly becomes a neighbourhood guru, teaching meditation classes around the neighborhood. Before long, Karim's father has a mistress (Fleetwood), whose son, a glam rocker who is also the coolest kid in school (Mackintosh), Karim finds himself strangely attracted to. Will Karim be able to navigate the confusion of youth and make a mark in theatre? Kureishi's funny and expansive tale, full of interesting characters, is given due treatment here, with a fine soundtrack by David Bowie.
Very entertaining
Review date: 2008-04-28 Rating: 8 out of 10
I read the book last year and loved it. As usual, the film/TV adaptation of a book is never as good, however it is a great story (semi autobiographical I believe) and moves along effortlessly unfolding a multi-faceted story.
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Reviews
Punk rock, bisexuality and class in the London suburbs - a guide to grabbing life!
Review date: 2007-12-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
The Buddha of Suburbia, based on Hanif Kureishi's first novel brims with punk rock, bisexuality, class and race. All told with a genuine greed for life. Karim, our protagonist, is born in the suburbs of South London, itching to get into the thick of things. Being British and half-Asian gives him the permission to be different, looking at life both from the outside and from within.
The film, with stunning music by David Bowie has all the headiness and the confidence of being happily genuine. Karim tells us again and again that there is nothing worse than being ordinary, confirming to pivet-hedge dullness. Karim experiences a range of characters and crushes - upper-middle class middle-aged bored and wealthy women who see him as an exotic bit of fun to spice up their lives, racist men who are terrified of the effect Karim has on their daughters (and sons), and a range of alternative left-wing activists putting on "alternative" performances who want Karim to alter his British accent so he can convincingly play Mowgli from the Jungle Book to fulfil their fantasies.
Karim is interested in experiencing all these people and everything they have to give him, moving on to more. Although Karim suffers racism and loony politics from both the right and the left, he won't let it stop him from experiencing life. The Buddha of Suburbia shows us how exciting life can be, if only we let it in.
The DVD also captures something of the excitement, high-drama and chaos of Margaret Thatcher's 1980's when Britain undoubtedly became a more modern, decisive and dramatic nation - though some would arguably call it a harsh wake-up. And it captures brilliantly the potential for hot sexy mishap that we can all have within our crawling, safe lives.
Rock and roll 1970s in suburbia
Review date: 2007-10-18 Rating: 10 out of 10
I had been waiting for this DVD for ages, as I fondly remembered many scenes from the original TV series (1993, that was). It portrays a phase in the life of a mid-1970s teenager, half Pakistani (I think - could be half Indian) half English, in suburban London. His dad is drawn into a kind of guru-ship by wealthy suburbanites eager for the latest 'real thing' - a mysterious eastern foreigner giving them spiritual enlightenment. This real thing is pretty fake - Dad is a Muslim, and a proper Brit to boot. Karim, the teenager, is taken along for a few of the 'seances' and is drawn into all kinds of trouble - sexual, moral, spiritual and whatnot. But all he wants (apart from getting laid and listening to excellent music) is... he's not sure. Something else. Everybody is using him in one way or another, and he wants to be himself - though he's not sure what that is, either.
Good plot, lots of storylines, excellent 70s background, great music, brilliant acting. I was going to give this four stars, as I really only give five for almost perfect 'things' - but I realized this *is* almost perfect, so there you go. Great fun.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Roshan Seth
Naveen Andrews
Susan Fleetwood
Brenda Blethyn
Creators:
Roshan Seth (Primary Contributor)
Susan Fleetwood (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503248925
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-09-17
Audience rating: To Be Announced
Region code: 2
Running time: 215 minutes