SYNOPSICS
The Infidel (2010) is a English movie. Josh Appignanesi has directed this movie. Omid Djalili,Richard Schiff,Archie Panjabi,Igal Naor are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2010. The Infidel (2010) is considered one of the best Comedy,Drama movie in India and around the world.
Based in a London suburb Mahmud Nasir lives with his pretty wife, Saamiya, and two children, Rashid and Nabi. His son plans to marry Uzma, the step-daughter of Egyptian-born Arshad Al-Masri, a so-called 'Hate Cleric' from Waziristan, Pakistan. Mahmud, who is not exactly a devout Muslim, he drinks alcohol, and does not pray five times, but does agree that he will appease Arshad, without whose approval the marriage cannot take place. Shortly thereafter Mahmud, while going over his recently deceased mother's documents, will find out that he was adopted, his birth parents were Jewish, and his name is actually Solly Shimshillewitz. He conceals this information from his family, and with the help of his neighbor, Leonard Goldberg, tries to understand the Jews, their religion and even locates his birth-father, who is on his death-bed in a nursing home. Mahmud does not know that Arshad has been checking into his background, has videotaped him setting fire to a Jewish cap during a protest, and ...
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The Infidel (2010) Reviews
Between Kosher and Halal
After a long time, I get the chance to see another charming little British comedy in the form of David Baddiel's 'The Infidel'. In times like this, when there is so much tension in the world between people of different religious backgrounds, 'The Infidel' has come at the right time. But while the film has a relevant message addressing the tension between Muslims and Jews, at heart, it's a comedy. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments and the cultural and religious clashes are hilariously depicted. Directorially Josh Apignanessi has done a fine. Baddiel's writing is sharp and his original story is well displayed on screen. Omid Djalili is remarkable as Mahmud, the Muslim who doesn't pray fives times a day, who doesn't fast every day of Ramadan and who occasionally has a(n alcoholic) drink, but whose world is shattered when he discovers that his biological parents are Jews. Archie Punjabi looks a little too young to play the mother of a twenty-something young man. Otherwise she is terrific with a laidback performance as Mahmud's wife. Richard Schiff is hilarious as he once again depicts his flair for dry humour. 'The Infidel' gets a little dramatic in the pre-ending sequences. Sometimes it's a tad too preachy. However, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments to keep one thoroughly entertained. Cleverly written, well directed, wonderfully acted, 'The Infidel' is tickling entertainment.
Halal/Kosher cook off
I've just returned from what the organizers dubbed as "The World Premier" of 'The Infidel' at the Hammersmith Apollo, and the mere fact that the first thing on my mind is to review it should say something about this strategically mastered movie written by David Baddiel, who to my surprise can deliver an equally hilarious stand up performance. The movie takes place in East London and it revolves around the life the Mahmud Nasir a semi-liberal Muslim family man minicab driver whose world gets disrupted by his mother's death and goes into an emotional period compounded by his son's recent engagement to a Pakistani "hate cleric's" step daughter. Mahmud uncovers his birth certificate while cleaning out his mother's stuff and eventually discovers that he is adopted and his original parents are Jewish. As Mahmud's world swivels in a state of disarray he turns to the only Jewish person he knows, semi-alcoholic recently divorced clinically depressed Lenny (Richard Schiff from The West Wing), who takes it upon himself to teach now 'Solly Shimshillewitz' Jewishness! The two embark on a journey of "oy vey" rehearsals and 'Fiddler on the Roof' reaction sessions as Lenny shows Mahmud the difference between the various types of London Jews. Mahmud's life takes a turn for the worse when he accidentally uncovers wearing a yarmulke at a pro-Palestine rally to which he reacts and subsequently becomes blessed by the "hate cleric". During this period Mahmud questions his identity and goes into a cathartic phase where logic prevails and he reaches a firm conclusion of who he is and what it means to be Mahmud Nasir. This tactically mastered comedy touches on subjects regarded as taboo in the film industry and attempts to portray logical religious soundness at a time when religious righteousness is synonymous with hate. A well delivered comedy filled with laugh out loud moments entertains, educates and surprises with a performance by Omid Djalili that can only be described as "joyfully expected".
A brilliant and very funny comedy
When I saw the trailers of The Infidel, I thought that it was going to be a crude comedy which wanted to exploit the controversy of the Jewish-Muslim conflict in order to attract attention. However, I decided to watch it because of the various positive reviews I read on the Internet, and I am glad I did it, because even though The Infidel has an undoubtedly tabloid aspect, it also is a brilliant comedy with a very funny screenplay, interesting characters and a valid message which might not be shared by everyone, but which at least offers a conciliatory point of view about the previously mentioned conflict. To start with, I liked the agility and consistence of the humor, as well as the surprising variety of topics exploited by the screenplay in order to generate laughs. There are obviously many references to the dispute between Israel and Palestine, to the Islamic extremists and their "jihad" (whose slogans of racial extermination sound very different when they are said by a 4-year-old girl) and of course, all the imaginable clichés about the Jewish culture ("they have a big nose and they like the money"). But there is also place for hilarious mentions of Seinfeld, the Protocols of Zion, Osama Bin Laden and Fiddler on the Roof. I suppose that some people would feel offended by the sense of humor from The Infidel. Even if they are orthodox Jews who do not approve of the burning of yarmulkes with a funny intention, or Muslims who feel themselves unfairly portrayed as violent and intolerant extremists, I know that there will be undoubtedly someone who disapproves of the film's methods, as good as its intentions are. I think that The Infidel features positive and negative aspects from both religions on equal measure...and it's up to every spectator how he/she will take that. And besides, I also think that it is difficult to take the religious insults or comments about racial purity seriously when they come from the mouth of such likable and expressive actors. Omid Djalil is perfect as the overwhelmed Mahmud. Richard Schiff brings an equally excellent and funny performance as a Jewish North American taxi driver. And Archie Panjabi also brings a very good work as the main character's wife. I have to point out the fact that I enjoyed The Infidel very much without having deep knowledge about the cultures and religions it represents; so, I think it is more appropriate to consider it as an great comedy which offers an interesting moral, and not as a revisionist History lesson nor as a manipulative religious pamphlet.
Good as a cultural exploration, at least
While I did laugh and smirk at this film a few times, it is far from the best comedy I've seen in movies. The interplay between the characters is often well written and there are really some inspired moments (the young daughter's jihaddist language was hilarious!) But the humor sometimes asks you to stretch your suspension of disbelief a little too much. What I thought was really worthwhile in this film was the portrayal of some modern Muslims and their families and community. We see a tabloid-reading woman in a full burqah with a wonderful east-end/Scottish/cockney accent, an engaging imam who has a ready interpretation of how the modern faithful may deal with homosexuality, and the prevalent use of the internet as a means for modern Muslims to keep current and in-touch. This film deals with issues that are very very important and shows how everyday people respond to them in a very open way. And I think comedy, if it's done properly, is really the best way to approach these issues in media. This movie does break down some barriers, by showing that, yes, we have some very definite cultural heritages that don't always get along, but we're all just people and we have to share this world for better or for worse. I would definitely recommend this for any audience. Parents will want to know there is adult subject matter and a lot of adult language. The racist language is an integral part of the story and adds, rather than detracts from the work. You don't have to be any certain faith to laugh or cry. The Infidel shows this.
Hilariously Original!!
This movie had me laughing right from the start! It's set around a Muslim man who doesn't care too much about religion until he finds out he's adopted.. and Jewish. Omid Djalili gave an unsurprising great comedic delivery. He was so convincing as the typical Muslim man who doesn't pray all the time, fast every single day of Ramadan, or always abstain from alcohol. Yet he finds a reason to form a closeness with religion after he finds out shocking and upsetting news that he was born Jewish. Every single scene in this movie will have you laughing in tears at the ridiculousness of the culture people have created in regards to religion. The plot is a little bit more complex but I don't want to give away too much. If you're Muslim or Jewish, you should definitely watch this movie because I know you'll love this film and want to recommend it to all your friends and family.