Maryam

I was too young while the events portrayed in the film were going on to truly experience them. So I view it at somewhat a disadvantage as history, but this isn't too bad -- a primary audience for this film should be teens, who clearly are in even worse of a situation than I.

It is not considered best to respond to comments, but I think I can voice my thoughts in answer to some of them. I too thought some of the supporting characters were badly played -- actually, what the film lacked were truly three dimensional non-Iranian characters. This is troubling. The potential b/f is portrayed as a bit of a boob and even the teacher isn't much help. The neighbors are a bit better, especially the wife in a couple scenes, but this is clearly a problem in the film.

I too felt that the film was sort of an extended Afternoon Special ... it shows my age that I remember them! All the same, it was a pretty good one with good acting by the leads, and some good situations. Given the paucity of good teenage drama in the theaters these days, Afternoon Specials actually look pretty good.

Let's remember this is the director's first film and a low budget one at that. This doesn't justify all of the films weaker components, but it helps understand them. Also, not only does the culture clash advance the plot, it very well might have been true that the family discussed how the cousin has different beliefs etc. Mary could very well have mostly ignored such "boring" discussions and the father might not have wanted to overdo it. Also, Ali's beliefs were rather new ... the father might have recalled him as more middle of the road.

As to historical accuracy. This is amusing -- the director based some of the film on his own experiences. I also don't know what was not historical accurate in the film. As to the lack of violence or truly harsh discrimination, the director in the commentary said he chose that route purposely so as not to make the film too harsh -- he wanted to focus on the emotions of the characters.

The lack of three dimensional non-Iranians aside, I thought it was a good film that showed a particular "growing up" moment for a teenage girl. The dad also impressed, a sort of everyman, that shows himself much more impressive than he first seems.

A good first effort ... with the expected flaws of a first film.

To begin with, this is not a documentary about SAVAK or the Shah's regime, and, after September 11th, you don't have to be an expert on Iran to get what is going on in the movie. It is about a lot of things: growing up different, being an American child of immigrants (we get that here in Miami), friendship and how quickly it disappears, family and the clash of cultures to name just a few. Mariam Parris gives a terrific performance, and the director does a lot with a small budget. However, what you will definitely remember most is the fundamentalist cousin from Iran, his fanaticism and how completely out of place he feels in the US. I happened to see it in Fort Lauderdale after September 11th, and the film hit a nerve with everyone who saw it, including the director, who was seeing it in a new light for the first time since 9/11. Ebert was right...take the time to see it.

Several of the negative comments about this film were so blind. This movie is about American culture and makes you think about big questions that nag us -- why do Americans respond to a crisis by hating others? I was alive and conscious during the events of 1979, I have known Iranians as college acquaintances and friends, and the use of footage in the movie is very effective at evoking memories of that time. Thinking about the racism against Iranians during that time and then thinking about how too many Americans reacted to the events of September 11, the march to a stupid war in Iraq, etc., etc., makes it clear once again that we Americans need to do some deep soul searching. Watch this movie and think about it -- don't try to act like some film critic or reviewer. Interestingly, on the surface this movie is about Iranians, but in fact I found that it was about American culture.

I also think this movie was fantastic. It was a good blend between a sweet coming-of-age story and an intriguing political/historical drama. Well thought out depiction of the complexities of the time; each character isn't perfect and makes you think. One may find it didn't go far enough in its message, but at least it poses a great many questions which are as applicable today as they were in '79.

Save room for after-the-movie discussions...

I worked on this film in the fall of 1998 when I was doing acting in NY. It was shot in NJ at an actual high school, and the main actors were wonderful. The lead actress really is named Maryam, and her performance is so much more relevant today than 5 years ago...this should really be re-released and get some attention again, it kind of slipped under the radar the first time around.