Arranged (2007)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

the audience applauded

The acting in this movie is really good.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I am neither Muslim nor Orthodox Jew, although I think anyone who abides by the tenets of a religious faith or lives among people who do would find relatable ground in the themes presented in this film. I recognize there are reviewers who are concerned about aspects of Orthodox Jew and Muslim portrayal that may not be perfectly accurate, but feel that regardless this film is a very valuable watch for anyone who lives in this world and doesn't know everything about every culture and religion. The film is beautiful. It is clean and very appropriate for older children and teens to view as well. The thematic elements of cultural diversity, religious background and choice, and familial relations are portrayed in a really nice and educational way. The characters story may not be my story, but it was so relatable as another person of faith that hopes that people will see me as more than just my religion or where I come from, but for my depth of character and contribution to the world as well. (Both main characters are just so charming!) I am confident that most people would also find very relatable thematic elements. My favorite part is the diversity of the elementary school classroom and how misconceptions on cultures and religions you are somewhat ignorant about are addressed. It is beautiful. The leading actresses were lovely. Haters may have all sorts of negativity to chuck at the film, but I think the world would be a better place if every school child, and adult for that matter, watched this film for its greater thematic elements, especially that we often have more in common than not.

This cute little soap opera of a flick was at best a sweet harmless story of two girls living their orthodox lives in the 21st Century. The plot line carries you along through the story tricking the viewer into thinking something big will happen at the end. It's like a joke firecracker that's all fuse and no bang. At the end of the movie the fuse just flitz out and you are left with nothing.The two girls - one orthodox Jewish the other orthodox Muslim - are portrayed as intelligent well educated young women who are teachers in a private school. They become friends through circumstance at the school. Principal Jacoby tells them in her office meeting with them that she can see their future and hints that she is willing to give them a chance to create their own lives. Otherwise their life will be decided for them by their outdated religious culture and what's the use of all their education if they are willing to be locked away by tradition. Here is the balance of the story!The Jewish girl seems to take this to heart but soon discovers she is in no way prepared for the world beyond her front door. The Muslim girl has already decided the outside world is not for her. They both stay within the safe boundaries of their religion and reject the concept of individuality as offered to them by Principal Jacoby.A real disappointment of a story because the ending makes the whole movie pointless. And I feel the directors Diane Crespo and Stefan C. Schaefer are just saying that religious fundamentalism is 'the way'.

What a remarkable film. I cannot tell you anything about who made it, why it was made, who financed it, who the main actors were and what they've done before this.I cannot say anything much about the music, the setting, or the technical details that make a great film. None of those details matter.What does matter is that it is an engaging film that speaks of the only way that Jews and Muslims are ever going to solve their difficulties.It must begin with women and not just ordinary women, but women of great incite and tolerance and dare I use the word, love.Both cultures have the word in their religion's vocabulary. The film seems to be saying learn what it means, and how to use it. The film takes for granted that both these women know what friendship means. They are bound not so much by their differences as their similarities.Basically, the plot revolves around two modern women (or at least women who have grown up in a modern world) of vastly different backgrounds. They meet at the school where they will both be teaching. One, a Muslim, has been assigned a regular grade 4 class and the other, a Jew, has been assigned to special Education - her main assignment seems to be a blind boy who understands the workings of the soul almost as well as his teacher. Certainly, he is more practical and a lot more jovial.The grade 4 class brings the problem into direct focus. They have obviously watched too much Fox News. They think that all Jews have horns (according to their Arab Neighbors) and all Arabs are bloodthirsty terrorists (according to the Jewish media). These two women work together on an idea developed by the Special Ed teacher to show that prejudice can be overcome by groups that don't allow hatred and ugly connotative words to develop at inflexibly deep levels.The scenes that follow all have to do with welcoming strangers into one's home (The Muslim family does, the Jewish one does not), choices in marriage (both girls have a problem with this, but only the Jewish woman has a problem with her family as well) or the talk that binds their friendship.I know that life is not that simple, but if we do not find alternatives to the hatred in the planet, then we will live in a hate-infested planet. Someone has to have the courage to write and speak about what can be done, not what is done. We need hopes, not 6:00 news. We need laughter and understanding, not tears and hatred. We need what this film offers.I gave this film a 10 because it offered us choices, and it did so in a way that compromises nothing of our beliefs, and did everything it could to enhance our humanity. It did it with humor, good will, common sense and a little bit of cunning, but just a little.

I downloaded this from netflix wondering if it was any good. Wow is all I can say. The chemistry between the girls is incredible. It was a very believable relationship and the tribulations both go through seemed very genuine. This is a very uplifting film on many levels e.g. the relationships with the school children, the families, the suitors. I have to say that the Orthodox Jewish girl was an incredible actress, emoting intelligence and beauty. The Orthodox Muslim girl also came off as radiating happiness and intelligence. I would hope that this film gets more publicity and sets off a spark of amity between Jews and Muslims.