Santa Paciência

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.

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.

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".

I felt disappointment at the end. But not because there is anything wrong with it. Just that I really want something to hit the nail on the head with Israel/Palestine/Antisemitism/Islamophobia and get rid of this huge problem. Though why would one expect a comedy to do such a thing? The reason I am so desperate to see an end to these conflicts is because they are so difficult to resolve. And because, in my opinion, they are the biggest stimulus for all the terror nonsense going on these days. Why young men get their legs and more blown off every day, people get bombed and shot, air strikes destroy ambulances, loads of people go around being racist, security checks take forever and Western nations end up torturing people thus ruining their credibility when trying advocate human rights. What a mess!

This topic is under publicised considering how important it is. Too little is said. And when I see/hear people discussing it I too often see/hear people rigidly stuck to a position from which no meaningful compromise of opinion can be reached without heat, anger, shouting, conflation of issues etc.

The film does address the issue and I think boldly. Inevitably some people will find this offensive to both Muslim and Jewish people. I am neither (though I know plenty of both). But I like the fact that it has characters coming out with all the racist BS that gets said - and makes it sound ridiculous like it is. And there are 'good' and 'bad' characters from both sides.

The thing about the racist 'BS' mentioned above is that a lot of the criticism that falls on entire religions/races is appropriate when aimed at individuals belonging to those groups. It's the blanket generalisations that are wrong and annoy me. I felt that it helped to demonstrate that it's individual idiots, not idiotic peoples, that give huge numbers of people a tarnished reputation in the eyes of those unwilling to think too hard about all of this. And I am happy this film has done that.

I suspect I might review how highly I think of this film at a later date. Did it seem less funny than it could have because of the subject? Or was I willing it to seem funny because I was happy with what it was trying to do? I know I will laugh upon remembering some scenes and ideas. It should be watched.

"The Infidel" has a funny premise, but the film also treads on many serious topics--straddling the fine line between social satire and social commentary. While it's not a brilliant film, I really respect the filmmakers for making it--and it's good for a laugh.

Omid Djalili plays a Muslim Brit. While not exactly religious, he is anti-Jewish and tries to fit in to his local Muslim community. However, his entire world is turned upside down when he learns that he was adopted...and his birth parents were Jews! He doesn't know what to do--should he try to find his birth parents? Should he ignore all this? Should he perhaps become a Jew or tell his friends and family about this? In addition to answering these questions, the film gets very serious when the man's son falls in love with a lady---and her father is a rabid anti-Semite and jihadist. What's poor Omid to do?!

As I said, the film talks about a lot of VERY sensitive and serious issues and is sure to infuriate the more close-minded viewers--though I doubt if they'd see the film in the first place. But, it also manages to be very silly at times--keeping a light mood when treading on tough topics. I appreciate this very much--it took some guts to make the film. My only complaints are that occasionally the film looked a bit rushed--such as the very contrived ending. It was fun--but not the most inspired portion of the film. Still, you could do a lot worse than watch this film! By the way, this film would make a WONDERFUL addition to watching "West Bank Story"--another film which treads the same territory but manages to do it even better. In fact, "West Bank Story" received (deservedly) the Oscar for Best Short Subject Film--it's that good.

By the way, the film has some very crude language--so hold on tight and don't show it to your mother-in-law!