The Infidel (2010)

Carving itself out a niche between the incredibly offensive (and utterly genius) Four Lions and the fond and gentle mocking of Dogma, The Infidel is the story of admittedly moderate Muslim Mahmud, who discovers upon his mothers death that he is adopted, and was really born a Jew by the name of Solly Shimshillewitz. This, naturally, sends him into an existential crisis, as he struggles with both his new-found roots and his sons betrothal to the step-daughter of a radical Muslim cleric, Arshad Al-Masri. So, Mahmud is forced to spend his time sneaking around behind his family's back, learning to be both a better Jew (so as to see his ailing birth father Izzy) and a better Muslim (to impress Al-Masri), leading to the inevitable climactic moment where his heritage comes out and those around him abandon him, shamed by his birth-parents or hurt by his secrecy. Of course, Mahmud triumphs over the sinister Al-Masri in the end, and learns to accept himself as he is, a Jew-by-birth, a Muslim-by-belief, and just another normal husband and father. Omid Djalili is really what holds this film together, as he plays both the comedy and pathos with perfect flair, truly making the audience sympathise with Mahmud's plight. My only real criticism of the movie is an extremely contrived and ridiculous resolution to the problem of Al-Masri's opposition to the marriage of Mahmud's son to his step-daughter. Suffice it to say that Mahmud either winning him over or shaming him with heart-felt words and simple decency would have been infinitely preferable. This may seem like a minimal criticism, but it's enough to sadly knock this film out of the "must-see" category, and into the "recommended", which is no bad thing. It's just disappointing. "Recommended" it is, a heart-warming and funny way to waste an afternoon.


Wait... So Benjamin Disraeli was really a Muslim?