Touches You

the audience applauded

So much average

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

This comedy/drama/romance is neither funny, dramatic, nor romantic.The acting is wooden and amateurish, the cinematography is no better than a home movie, the editing is embarrassing, and the directing is appalling. Did I mention how awful the acting is? It's bad, really bad. It's impossible to feel any affinity for any of the characters and so difficult to care what happens in the film or to the individuals.The script is constructed entirely of clichéd language and set pieces that make the whole movie feel disjointed and clunky. It alludes to providing insight into the age-old relationship between Jews and Muslims but doesn't expose or inform in any way.Above all of this, the major failure is the soundtrack which is so irritating that, if you watch this film at all, you should turn the sound off and watch with subtitles.

I took a long shot watching this one on demand as recommended to me by the robot at Netflix. This one, unlike some others, was right on. The two main characters are a delight as was, at least for me, having an excursion into two highly alien cultures. Those cultures were Arab Muslim orthodox as well as Jewish Orthodox. The pivot of the movie is simple. There are two elementary school teachers each belonging to one of those communities who form a friendship as each is soon to be subject to an arranged marriage.Other reviews will clue you in on more if you wish to read more plot-wise. For me, the charm of the movie resides entirely in the depiction of the characters especially the two soon to be married women. I was charmed by the movie and very much so those two friends.What bothered me about the movie and something I've not seen mentioned is the political correctness evident throughout. The Jews are depicted as narrow minded somewhat brutal or stupid haters of all things either Arab or maybe non-Jew. Meanwhile the Arabs are all mellow high IQ tolerant understanding scholars. Where the Jews threaten and brutalize their daughter, the Arabs are understanding of theirs.Even the home life reflects this. The Arabs are a loving family while the Jews snipe at each other, whine, terrify the daughter by saying her behavior will kill the father and even includes a consistently nasty little kid.Perhaps this does reflect the reality of the two cultures. I surely can't say personally speaking, but the contrast did stand out to this reviewer.That said, I can't recommend the movie enough for its good points, its charm and its general feel goodness.

This film has a distinctly anti-liberal point of view. Also at times the script is amateurish and the acting contrived. I do admit that I am not the best audience for the theme of 'arranged marriages' as I do believe in adults having a choice.The liberal woman in the school where they were teachers is portrayed rather negatively I felt, but I definitely agreed with her position that women have fought long and hard in the Western world to achieve rights (like voting and working).Both these women, although intelligent and teachers, were extremely subservient to their parents. Had they ever done anything outside of the house without their parents observing them. like independent travelling or even go to a movie? Marriage was portrayed as the prime objective and fulfilment of their lives. It was nauseating to witness the pressure the parents were putting on both these 22 year old woman to marry. It was even worse that both were spineless and unable to strike out to form their own lives. At the end both seem to have found their 'soul-mates', but even that was based on a few minutes of observation.Even though this is about a Muslim and Jewish woman communicating, neither is willing to go outside the boundaries of their religious domain. Also the under-belly of 'arranged marriages' is spousal abuse and many times the marriage of an older man to a teenage bride. This silly film fable does not go near these topics.

A fellow blog reader suggested that I watch "Arranged" (2007). It is a very nice film that I definitely recommend as well.Arranged is about the friendship between two women- one an Orthodox Jewish school teacher and the other a Muslim one. The acting was very strong and credible and the story absorbing as the womens' relationship develops against all odds. They find similarities in their situations despite great cultural and religious divides and solace in the fact that their parents are trying to arrange marriages for both of them with candidates who as the name implies, they cannot choose.The actresses who portray Rochel and Nosira are beautiful inside and out and made this film a true pleasure to watch. The ending was uplifting and charming; the movie all around very enjoyable.My rating: 8 For more reviews please read http://paulinasmovies.blogspot.com