The Infidel

Great movie. It jokes around with both Jews and Muslims, but never in a mean-spirited way. Good to see a movie representing moderate Muslims in some way on film Americans need to see more of this. The British sense of humor is very sharp as well.

I saw this movie at the Tribeca FF 2010 and it's great. It's so funny. It takes on a really dangerous subject and makes it hilarious, and, in the later sections, moving. It's a comedy that has something to say. Plus you don't have to be Muslim or Jewish I'm neither to get the great gags!

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Mahmud's mother passes away, and while cleaning her house, he finds out he was adopted. And it gets better; he was born Solly Shimshillewitz. Oy vey.

A Londoner of Pakistani descent has a enough trouble; his dad past away a while ago and his mom just died, his son is marrying the step-daughter of radical imam, but his wife loves him despite his numerous flaws. Then he finds out he was born Jewish, and it is off to the rodeo as he tries to come to terms with his heritage and upbringing.

The more you know about both Jewish and Islamic culture, the funnier this movie will be. Mahmud nee Solly learning how to shrug properly, and his dream/nightmare sequence are worth the price of admission. It's only a movie, and a comedy at that, but it does hint at interesting dynamics in London Pakistani homelife, and the complexities of both cultures.

I enjoyed it a lot, but a lot of the comedy will pass by folks not familiar with the cultures involved.

E.M. Van Court

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I'm glad this popped up as an instant play title on a movie rental site I subscribe to. I wasn't quite sure what to expect with a title like "Infidel", with a man dressed in Muslim attire eating a bagel! Well I was pleasantly surprised and entertained this is a movie that pokes fun at two different cultures but does so in an irreverent and funny manner.

Mahmud (comedian Omid Djalili) is a moderate Muslim who may not be fully observant but considers himself a true believer and takes pride in his family (wife, son, and young daughter). His mother's death brings a secret to light Mahmud was adopted, and his birth name was Solly Shimshillewitz! This revelation predictably upsets Mahmud and causes him great confusion. What is he to do? Can he reveal his secret to his wife, children and close friends? Given the strife between the Palestinians and Israelis and the general climate of distrust between Muslims and Jews, how is Mahmud to reconcile his Jewish heritage and his Muslim identity?

Fortunately, Mahmud finds help in Lenny (Richard Schiff). Initially, both men are almost enemies, constantly bickering and fighting, but when Mahmud discovers his Jewish background, he turns to Lenny out of desperation. This results in some truly funny moments Lenny teaching Mahmud how to shrug, how to say "oy vey", and prepares Mahmud for a 'rite of passage', accompanying Lenny to a bar mitzvah! This may all be funny, but there is also a sense of poignancy. Mahmud's efforts at getting in touch with his inner Jew has to do with his attempts to meet his dying Jewish dad who is in a nursing home.

Amidst all this, Mahmud also faces the problem of how to handle his son's impending marriage to the step-daughter of a radical Muslim cleric. The scene where the cleric comes to Mahmud's house to check his family out is one of the funniest in the film. Mahmud can't bear to think what will happen if his secret is found out...what is Mahmud/Solly to do? The acting by Omid Djalili is amazing, and he is able to credibly convey the comedic elements of his character's plight as well as the poignant moments. The portrayal of the Muslim and Jewish cultures is well done and though the movie does poke fun at both cultures, it is a balanced portrayal. The supporting cast is equally brilliant and the result is a farcical comedy that entertains.

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I bought this with high hopes after reading the amazon reviews, but unfortunately the reviews don't include a few details that some may find important. First of all, the movie sounds like a lot of fun, but if you are not into the F-word you may have a hard time with it. The dialogue is filled with the F-word, to the point that you begin to wonder if any other single word is used as often. I realize that some people may talk like this (apparently the director does), but it did not seem to really fit the personalities (or the circumstances) of the characters, seeming forced and oddly disconcerting. For me (and the friends I watched it with), it took away from the message of the movie, which I really liked and had high hopes for. I would have liked to share this with family members, again because I think the premise is great, but will not be doing that. In fact I can't imagine watching it again so will probably just toss it. Without the language I'd have given the film 5 stars. Anyway, if you don't mind the overly coarse language you may enjoy this, but you should at least know what you are in for.