Foreign Body

"Foreign Body" is a cute Brit flick which tells of a lowly, humble, and naive Calcutta flop-house clerk who manages to make his way to the UK where, with the help of a distant relative, he manages to stumble and bumble his way into a position as a physician to the rich. A fun little "East Meets West" flick with a pleasing performance by Banerjee, a bit part by Trevor Howard, and plenty of nonsense, silliness, and corn, "FB" will be an enjoyable tier-two watch for many.

I first saw this film about 10 years ago, at a friend's house.

Then I spent five years trying to find a copy for myself. I am happy to have one, finally! This is a very funny and quirky film, about a poor East Indian man who wants to become a doctor so badly that he sets up a practice in England under false pretenses. He becomes a favorite doctor of all the rich well to do types in London, and of course many misadventures follow. The best scenes are the ones with Nora Plumb. (NP- Not Permitted?) A fun movie, find a copy and rent it tonight!

***

This movie is hilarious and heart-warming. It is a great thing to turn the channel on the cable box which has all too many worthless t.v.-movies on it and come across a movie that is so cute that you can't stop watching it. This great movie is something rare. A movie with a cute story that doesn't take too much thinking to love it.

It's a charming and funny film whose humor also lampoons class distinctions and cross-cultural differences in a very believable manner. The casting is just perfect. If you can find it, rent it or, better yet, buy it: it's a keeper.

I enjoy the relationship between Ram and his Uncle I.Q. Uncle is amazing, as a hard worker, dreamer, philosopher and (in this case) schemer for his nephew.

Ram gets to England, and gets a government job on a bus. One day, a woman is unconscious. Ram finds her fascinating. He announces himself as a doctor. Suddenly, everyone around him gives him respect, and does whatever he asks. The woman revives, and wants to re-pay the doctor's kindness.

Ram's Uncle comes up with a brainstorm: become a doctor (who pretty much just acts like a chiropractor, with a good bed-side manner). The story zooms along.

Ram is well-cast, as well as his girlfriend and her mother. Most of the time, the movie goes along slowly, but it is surprisingly tense also. I have watched this movie several times over the last 15 years, and will see it a few more times in the future.