This is one of those films that doesn't get a lot of advertising and hardly anybody goes to see. Funnily enough, though not always, it is precisely this type of movie that normally is very good. Because of their low exposure to the public, these movies have to work extra hard to win their audience and they tend to reward the viewer accordingy. Other examples of the genre are 'Buffalo Soldiers' and 'The Man From Elysian Fields'. These films rely on dynamic acting, tight editing and a script that is thought-provoking rather than pumping out cheesy lines from testosterone-injected actors. Ben Kingsley played his part as if he was born for it. In a world where we are plagued with anti-muslim propaganda, where someone who worships another god/s is seen as a terrorist threat(a heretic/witch in the middle ages) this modern day tragedy was superbly directed. Yes, as delphinium states, the movie was sad, but it is much preferable to being patronized by any director who just follow the same recipe of movie making all the time.
It was a great movie, very sad is right. I have never seen a terrible movie that stared Ben Kingsley in it. He has to be one of the most underrated actors.
I remember when I used to work at a bookstore in Denver Int'l. Airport and I saw this book. I always wanted to read but I never got around to it. Eventually I came across the movie and decided that I wanted to watch it, but I must say that I was dissapointed. The whole time I kept saying, "this stupid bitch has brought all of this shit on herself." I'm really not trying to be negative. I'm just throwing my dos centos into the community basket.
I must admit, I felt very much like BelaFan at the begining of watching this movie, but there are a lot of people like the girl in the world. Especially when they're young and sometimes too naive to figure the consequence of their actions(or lack of them). That's what makes it tragic. As the movie went on, I found myself supporting the girl and towards the end I felt very, very guilty for that and realized that in all essence both parties were victims. The author and the director use a genius way to show people how easy it is to become prejudiced/racist toward other people from another culture. It is a sad movie, but it is an honest movie, and I would advise anyone who's in a mood to see a serious movie to see it given a chance.
