Jalla! Jalla!

This is a conventionally told double love story in a multicultural setting. If nothing else it's charming, and the actors are interesting and give good performances. I agree with a previous reviewer that it's like a quality version of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, without the Hollywood glucose all over it, and also in the less worn-out setting of Sweden. The story is well told and keeps up the interest, but the end is predictable (like I said, conventional) and a bit too cute. I didn't really understand the problem between Måns and his girlfriend (Jenny?), they seem to fall out of love just because it suited the plot, and I thought that Måns' and Roro's third co-worker, the soul brother with the afro, was a bit too cute and multi-cultural (yes I got it -- we're one big family of cool dudes). My favourite role was Roro's very cool father. And a protagonist in the shape of a pudgy middle-aged Arab, you don't have that too often in a movie, do you?

I haven't left the cinema on such a high note in a long time; Jalla! Jalla! is a very funny comedy about a man torn between modern European and traditional Lebanese life, who tries to keep both his personae satisfied by continually compromising between the two. It is also a story of the friendship between this Lebanese second-generation immigrant and his colleague Måns. The story takes some time to unfold, but the film's perfectly timed pace makes it a joy to watch even as long as nothing appears to happen, and it only gets better once the action kicks in.

Jalla! Jalla! is about change: grandma is still firmly rooted in the old ways, dad keeps up appearances but turns out more flexible than you thought and Roro is, for all intents and purposes, just as much a modern Swede as a Lebanese. Although he is sincere and outspoken, he's just not able to totally say goodbye to his heritage and his roots. Finally, it was very gratifying to see a film about immigrants without some profound and ostentatious message, but more occupied with the sometimes impossible daily choices between morality and practicality one is forced to make despite the lack of understanding in one's surroundings (and truth be told, neither Måns nor Lisa display much understanding for Roro's predicament). A good 'small' movie, I hope to see more of this director and these actors.

The Lebanese immigrant worker Roro (Fares Fares) and his Swedish colleague and best friend Måns (Torkel Petersson) work in a park in Sweden. Roro and his Swedish girlfriend Lisa (Tuva Novotny) are in love for each other, and Lisa wants to be introduced to his family. Måns is having erection problem with his mate, but is looking for alternative methods to resolve the situation, since he is afraid of going to the doctor. When Roro finally decides to present Lisa to his family, they arrange a wedding for him with the Lebanese Yasmin (Laleh Pourkarim). Yasmin and Roro agree to pretend that they are going to get married to relieve the pressure of their families, leading them to a great confusion.

"Jalla! Jalla!" is a delightful Swedish romantic comedy, a must-see in the genre. On the contrary of Hollywoodian romances, the characters are common people, without fancy cars, expensive cellular and high positions, therefore absolutely believable. Tuva Novotny is amazingly beautiful, and her romantic pair is a man very thin and not handsome, in a non-acceptable Hollywoodian standard. The storyline is very simple, but there are many funny situations in this highly recommended entertainment. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Jalla! Jalla!"

One more Swedish movie with absolute nothing to say. The story about two friends,one of them forrigner who will married a Swedish girl,and the otherone,a Swedish man who have sexual problems. is so boring,bad acted,bad script that you will leave this after 5 minutes. One of the worst Swedish movie I ever have seen. Rating:0 out of 5.

This film marks the beginning of a career that hopefully will spawn number of good films in the future. Little known Fares has made an intelligent and very funny film. I totally recommend all people who have the opportunity to see this movie.