First of all, I would like to say that I myself am Persian, and consider this movie an embarrassment to my culture. Why is that? In short: everything about this movie is as if it was made by a third grader.
perhaps the most annoying aspect of the movie is not the overall lack of cohesiveness or terrible acting. It's not the script which appears to be at the reading level of RL Stein's "Goosebumps" books, and it's not the fact that the plot is less realistic than the supposed Roswell conspiracy. It's not even the blurry discombobulated shots which may very easily have been taken by a kid running with a camcorder in hand. No, the most annoying thing about this movie is the way in which the directors attempt to advertise the Persian culture.
I could barely contain myself from laughing when the boy explains to his sister all about No Rooz, the Persian New Year, as if she had no idea what it was after living in Iran for years. Then we are treated to watching the kids hop over a bonfire (homeless guy's bonfire at that) to demonstrate the chahar shambe suree tradition. The homeless man observes this behavior placidly, after all, it must happen every day, right? Later at the restaurant, the chef holds up a plater of rice to the camera and explains "nice and fluffy, with each grain separate!" I have never since been able to eat Persian rice without laughing.
Look, i've seen tons of movies, and tons of genuinely BAD movies, such as Blair Witch Project and Coneheads. But all those movies appear to deserve an oscar compared to this piece of trash. It is just so bad its not even remotely funny. The movies is appropriately named "surviving paradise" as it is more difficult just surviving the movie!
I really wish i had my eight bucks back. -Rox
