The Infidel (2010)

Great Film overall

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

I had high hopes for this film as I thought it would be a great clash of cultures comedy, especially with Omid Jalali as the star. Regrettably, to my disappointment it fell very flat. The film started off quite well and was humorous, but it soon became dry and felt like an old fashioned TV sketch. Hence, the camera was just filming dry witty dialogue exchanges of the same thing over and over again with limited change in camera angle, which made it boring.Despite being fiction, the set up of the characters depicted were confusing and consequently hard to believe. Omid Jalali is supposed to be a London born Pakistani, despite being adopted from Jewish descent from a very young age. However, any Islamic references from Omid sounded very Arabic/middle eastern, which contrasted greatly with his family who were clearly British Pakistani and felt like they were non-Londoners particularly with the Northern Burke friend. Consequently, I wasn't sure if I was in Bradford or London. Furthermore, I found it hugely Ironic that the fanatic Egyptian cleric sounded heavily Israeli!!! It was even more ironic that he was suppose to be Egyptian but had a daughter and wife that looked clearly Pakistani/Indian rather than Egyptian! Nothing wrong with make believe but all of it didn't gel and soured the movie.If Omid Jalali's family was set up as a London Arabic/Persian family, I think this would have had a huge positive difference to the film by making it feel more real and funny! Mainly because this is what Omid knows and he could have exploited a lot of the day to day humour without having to make spoofed Jewish/Muslim references all the time that soon got dull. The film also conveyed the impression that all Muslims were anti-Jewish and all Jewish people were anti-Muslim just because of the Israeli – Palestinian conflict. Consequently, I thought this was very two dimensional and unrealistic and it put me off the film. Some positive points, the climax was quite entertaining and the first 10 minutes were good to watch. It also had a nice dramatic undertone as Omid Jalali goes on his quest for his roots. There were also humorous moments throughout, but they would only earn a smirk rather than laughter. Overall, this could have been such a great film if it was done in a better way and I think it's poor performance at the box office reflects that. However, If you have a British Pakistani background, I'd suggest watching the film as you may enjoy it as it seem's more tailored for a British Pakistani audience. If you're easy going and enjoy dry British or ethnic humour you may also enjoy it. However, if you're having a night in and you want a good comedy to enjoy, avoid this and pick up something like "Knocked Up" for guaranteed entertainment.

I watched this on BBC I player last evening (Jan 2012) as it had been shown on the BBC. Enjoyed it immensely, although some of the lesser characters seemed to be quite stereotypical. The let down for me was the very limited exploration of the Jewish community and how they would accept (or otherwise) a person with this background. That said a polished performance from Matt Lucas. Omid Djaili gives real credence to the main character and is very believable, very much the real star of the Movie. David Badiel (Author) has done a great job on the script and makes the dialogue more than believable. I recommend this as viewing for all despite some of the flowery language (very much in context) I would suggest some of the Dialogue (racist) is occasionally used for dramatic/comedy effect rather than as necessary to the plot, although it is never over the top, and would be hard pressed to be taken as seriously offensive by anyone except the most extreme.Enjoyable and thought provoking worth the watch.

Omid Djalili plays Mahmud, a decent, easy-going family man of very moderate Islamic views (does not pray five times a day, does not really fast on Ramadan, and takes more than a sip of alcohol now and again). It is the highly sympathetic and humorous Djalili, with his wondrously expressive face, that holds the movie together.Mahmud thinks he is a Muslim through-and-through until he is stunned to discover that he was born of Jewish parents and was adopted, weeks old, by a Muslim family. A sincere man, he wants to find his birth parents, and this immediately throws him into the nexus of two worlds: Muslim and Jewish. The possibilities are endless. Sadly, while the movie produces some very sympathetic sketches, and it is good for a laugh or two, you will regret what might have been.The fundamental premise of the movie is artificial. First, Islam does not recognize adoption as we understand the concept. Second, Muslims in general and Pakistanis in particular live in a semi-tribal system of extended families, so there is no chance such an adoption would be a secret. Third, the rabbi's behavior, when Mahmud tries to visit his very old and dying birth father, is inexplicable by any Jewish principles. Finally, Islam is a proselytizing religion, so having been born Jewish would not make Mahmud any less Muslim.Do not imagine, therefore, that by watching this movie you will come to any deeper understanding of Islam or Judaism. In the end, the severely artificial premise of the movie corrupts it irretrievably.You should watch the movie for the performances, all which are very good. You will have a laugh or two. You will enjoy it. Then forget it.

I missed this at this years MIFF and was a little perturbed to read some so so reviews, but never one to believe everything one reads, I went to see it anyway. Good thing that everyone has a different opinion as I really enjoyed this.Written by David Baddiel the film explores the idea of identity and what that means in religion. When a Muslim man finds out he was adopted and was actually born Jewish it throws his life into chaos. Not only does this provide some very funny moments as he explores Jewish life by befriending a neighbour, whilst hiding the truth from his family, but it also presents an entirely fascinating idea. As a non relgious person, I found the idea that you spend your life believing one thing only to come from another amazing. That the film explores this with humour makes it easy viewing, but it also has a message about tolerance and understanding that is played out with subtlety and isn't shoved done our throats.Omid Djalili does a great job, his portrayal of the man torn between two ideas is natural and funny, without resorting to a stereotype. Excellent writing by Baddiel gives some great moments, many at the expense of faith, and in a way often shows how ridiculous religion is at times. The film fails near the end as a sub plot of an Islamic cleric actually being a 80's pop star falling flat, but otherwise this is a very funny and entertaining film.More of my reviews at my site iheartfilm.weebly.com