In the uneven yet ultimately compelling "Brick Lane," Americans are introduced to an intriguing culture few of us know much about. The novel that inspired it was a popular — and controversial — saga about the Bangladeshi community in London. The movie takes a vivid look at that reality and the impact of 9/11 on its Muslim residents.

The film follows Nazneen from a happy childhood in Bangladesh through the loss of her mother and an arranged marriage at 17 to a stifling life in London with her overbearing husband and two daughters. She constantly capitulates to their wishes with pained looks and memories of frolicking in the grass with her beloved sister.

A character continually suppressing her slow-boiling frustration doesn't make for an easy cinematic portrait. It's similar to the challenge that the late Heath Ledger and director Ang Lee met so brilliantly in "Brokeback Mountain." The silence of Ledger's cowboy loner spoke volumes and brought universality to a situation unfamiliar to many viewers.

In "Brick Lane," whether the fault of documentary director Sarah Gavron, helming her first feature film, or Tannishtha Chatterjee, the accomplished actress in Indian films who plays Nazneen, the visceral connection we want to (and should feel) for her is missing for the sluggishly paced first half of the film. As Nazneen finally coaxes a concession from her husband to sew for pay and is drawn to Karim (Christopher Simpson), the young man who brings her the clothes she repairs, Chatterjee finds emotions she can work with, and comes alive as the woman she portrays awakens to politics and sexual desire.

To many American ears, occasional pieces of dialogue and some of Nazneen's pensive voice-overs may be hard to understand, but the plot is fairly easy to follow. In fact, the theme of a woman with few options in life has been done many times before. "Brick Lane" offers little tension or suspense until close to its conclusion.

A true highlight of the film is Satish Kaushik, who plays Nazneen's older, portly husband, Chanu. Well-known in India for award-winning comedic turns in Bollywood films, Kaushik is also a serious stage actor and mines both backgrounds to create a rich, amusing, annoying and touching role. Chanu brings his bride to London with lofty dreams and strict ideas about a woman's place in the home. His educated airs and arrogance disintegrate as he loses his job, makes disastrous financial decisions and awkwardly tries to maintain his pride and family.

The difficulties of the immigrant story are movingly told through Chanu and Nazneen while the next generation's contrasting perspective is clearly shown through the couple's two daughters and Karim. Those differing views against the backdrop of 9/11 can enlighten those of us who know little of Muslims here or across the pond.

"Brick Lane." Rated: PG-13. Running time: 1 hour., 35 minutes. 2 1/2 stars.

Pictured here: Christopher Simpson (left) and Tannishtha Chatterjee share a glance and a hand in “Brick Lane.” Photo by Chris Raphael.

To find out more about Beth Wood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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