The Combination

The name says it all. A lesson in life & also the ups & downs of being in a hate group. I mean this movie is a good example of showing that nothing good comes from being racist & thinking your better than everyone else. I personally thought that the acting was excellent & its a true blue Aussie made movie. Racism & hatred will never stop because lets face it cause we're not living in a cartoon. Some people might say that this movie influences Lebanese gangs & makes them proud, but i believe that there's always the other side to a story & this being that treat everyone equally. My rating for this is 8.5 / 10. Should win some awards.

I urge you to see THE COMBINATION on a big screen in a good cinema with great sound! That is how i saw it last night and I was astonished at almost every part of this very slick crime thriller set in the teen world of Arab/Lebanese Western Sydney. Directed by Aussie actor David Field and with a stellar performance by Firass Dirani THE COMBINATION is right on target to identify a serious racial topic alive and festering in Australia: the idiotic crime aspirations of teen gangsters who learn from irresponsible 'gangsta' movies and music and then act them out in real life thus assigning themselves and their families to funerals and social distress. What a sharp movie! Made on a low budget and with it's social target well in sight, THE COMBINATION identifies the numerous factors in this suburban crime scene, from alienation by racial prejudice, fighting for no reason other than to be seen to be 'tough', the vicious stupidity of street fights, the catastrophe of the legacy of TuPac Shakur and the American gangsta image, and just plain teen anger amped into crime by media imagery. Finally a film that really identifies the root cause of teen boys killing each other in the suburbs... and the effect it has on their mothers, brothers, and friends. THE COMBINATION is seriously good cinema and George Basha whose book and lead role along with David Fields' direction makes this and Aussie/Lebanese film of major standout importance.

When Australia makes any dramas set in the burbs they generally always have the feel of being written by someone with not only a separation from suburban life but utter contempt for it as well. The characters are flagrant stereotypes, the dialogue has the feel it was written by a 5 year old trying to sound tough and the stories always generally deal with the idea that growing up in the burbs gives you 2 opportunities. Mundane blue collar jobs or pursuing criminal enterprise.

While the combination does include the final element in it's story, it does not offer it as the only choice for the burbs either. And it skillfully shows that each person has a choice and must take responsibility for their actions.

Well written, starring an amazing cast and finally giving a sense of realism to suburban life in Australia, The Combination is a great film.

Being a Sydney 'westie' I can't get over the aspect of dialogue in this film. Finding an Australian film that does not come across as a parody in the way characters interact with each other is nearly impossible. Even within a great film like Two Hands if you watch the movie again note the absence of free flowing dialogue that feels real. This film has it down pat. The characters seem undeniably real. George Basha has done a great job. Let's hope he is not a one trick pony and can use his skills for further great Australian films in the future.

It's basically a re-used plot, featuring more detestable characters lacking any serious depth or development. They perpetrate some very negative stereotypes of cultures in Australia, and glorify violence and bad hairstyles. If Harry tells you otherwise, don't believe him. He is not a level-headed movie critic, and frankly represents the negative attributes displayed by the main protagonist.

The dichotomy of cultures portrayed in the movie is a farcical hyperbole of abuse and violence under the false veil of honour and 'street justice', when in reality it is all about greed and insecurity. The only redeeming element in the film is the accurate portrayal of the fashion sense adopted by the criminal counter-cultures, namely the terrible haircuts and sportswear.

The Combination was for me, a refreshing surprise of a flick, initially banned, I believe, which would of been such an injustice, as it would deprive movie goers of what is a first rate, independent flick, directed by acting great, Field. This film and it's ferocity, really surprised me, it was that engrossing. It's one film I just couldn't turn off, and finish watching the next day. Not many films focus on the Lebanese community, and here racism still runs high in the inner suburbs of Sydney. An older brother has just got out of the joint. There's much conflict between him and little brother (Firass Dirassi) who's heavily mixed up in crime, where he's heading in the same direction. Not only this, but he's clashing with another student, not Lebanese, at high school over a girl, where a small gang war breaks out. This movie is more take the gloves off high school flick, which can really show what happens with two cultures clash, and the tragic results can culminate. For me, Dirassi's fate was pretty mapped up, where I knew it wasn't gonna end well for him. There's many lessons illustrated in this film, where The Combination is one of the most impressive and searing Aussie films I've seen, and one that must be seen. The same can be said about explosive new talent, Dirassi. Thank you Mr Field, where you've now impressed me as a movie maker.