The Infidel

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".

"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!

Viewed at the Festival de Film 2011, Cannes

Omid Djalili is a brilliant comedian. So is David Baddiel, the writer. But The Infidel's biggest weakness is its contrived and less than fully functional script: a proud Muslim man discovers he's actually Jewish. Roll on the floor clutching your sides? Afraid not.

It's not that the film's heart is in the wrong place, but it wears its liberal credentials and heart so openly, flaunting them on both sleeves, so desperate not to offend it takes no risks whatsoever and comes over as, at best, anodyne.

Yes there are some good laughs, but they are occasional and not frequent enough. Instead, we get the author using the characters to give a wave-the-index finger lecture about the need for all of us to get on and look below the surface that is religion and judge the person. Problem is, for many people religion is more than surface deep but the core of the individual, so all reality is missing from this film. Just pause for a second and consider how a strictly religious community would most likely react to discovering one of its members is actually batting for the other side, as it were.

Well, fair enough, this is meant to be a comedy, which brings me back to my main criticism: it's not that funny. Omid Djalili has his moments, rolling his eyes and floundering around as his whole life and identity is turned upside down. He also has the perfect white, liberal, Guardian-reading, Channel 4-viewing person's ideal of the perfect Muslim family. Like I say, contrived to the nines.

This is an audience that doesn't need this film because it's already presold on it. Will the film change the mindset of the less tolerant members of the community? Of course not, because they won't go see it anyway. As entertainment it falls flat because it's too preachy, too well intentioned, telling you to eat your broccoli and explaining why it's good for you. In fact, if all concerned were not part of the charmed inner circle of British film making, The Infidel would never have got made to start with, any decent producer rejecting the script at the outset.

After a long time, I get the chance to see another charming little British comedy in the form of David Baddiel's 'The Infidel'. In times like this, when there is so much tension in the world between people of different religious backgrounds, 'The Infidel' has come at the right time. But while the film has a relevant message addressing the tension between Muslims and Jews, at heart, it's a comedy. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments and the cultural and religious clashes are hilariously depicted. Directorially Josh Apignanessi has done a fine. Baddiel's writing is sharp and his original story is well displayed on screen. Omid Djalili is remarkable as Mahmud, the Muslim who doesn't pray fives times a day, who doesn't fast every day of Ramadan and who occasionally has a(n alcoholic) drink, but whose world is shattered when he discovers that his biological parents are Jews. Archie Punjabi looks a little too young to play the mother of a twenty-something young man. Otherwise she is terrific with a laidback performance as Mahmud's wife. Richard Schiff is hilarious as he once again depicts his flair for dry humour.

'The Infidel' gets a little dramatic in the pre-ending sequences. Sometimes it's a tad too preachy. However, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments to keep one thoroughly entertained. Cleverly written, well directed, wonderfully acted, 'The Infidel' is tickling entertainment.