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Editorial Reviews
Review
A lovely little gem of a film, beautifully shot and perfectly cast... I cant remember the last time I screened a similarly low-budget film that pulled all the pieces together so well. ---Mary Glucksman, Film Critic
Writer-director Stefan Schaefer's modest, surprisingly winning indie drama [has] a sense of intimacy that serves it well. ---New York Magazine
Arranged offers a touching and often hilarious look at two women Rochel (Lister-Jones) and Nasiria (Benhamou), who should be recognized as two of the best female characters and performances in recent years... Arranged is a must-see in this globalized world. ---Alex Navissi, The Daily Texan
Writer-director Stefan Schaefer's modest, surprisingly winning indie drama [has] a sense of intimacy that serves it well. ---New York Magazine
Arranged offers a touching and often hilarious look at two women Rochel (Lister-Jones) and Nasiria (Benhamou), who should be recognized as two of the best female characters and performances in recent years... Arranged is a must-see in this globalized world. ---Alex Navissi, The Daily Texan
Product Description
Rochel is an Orthodox Jew, and Nasira a Muslim of Syrian origin. They are both young teachers at a public school in Brooklyn. They also have something else in common--they are going though the process of arranged marriages through their respective religions and traditional customs. With both family pressure on the one hand, and the rejection of traditional values by the outside world on the other, Rochel and Nasira will have to rely on each other and their friendship to pull through this difficult time of their lives, striving to be strong women in charge of their own happiness, while keeping their deep religious and cultural convictions.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
71 of 71 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Synopsis: The '07 independent film `Arranged' is a thoroughly entertaining albeit simplistic story concerning two new elementary school teachers working in one of the poorer quarters of New York City. Both are from highly structured, orthodox religious traditions. Rochel Meshenberg (Zoe Lister-Jones) is Jewish while Nisira Khaldi (Francis Benhamou) is Muslim. When a student brings up the topic of religious hatred between these two spiritual traditions the question is posited, "Is it possible for the two to become friends?"
As you probably guessed, that's exactly what happens despite the rather obvious disapproval displayed by their families. When Rochel and Nisira learn that both sets of parents are actively seeking arranged marriages for their daughters they discover they have more in common than they ever thought they would. Relying on each other for strength and support through the trials and tribulations of submitting to the customs of their religious traditions they find a friendship that transcends cultural differences.
Critique: `Arranged' held my complete interest from beginning to end. The relationship between Rochel and Nisira is beautifully and thoughtfully presented and totally believable. Some of the Jewish stereotypes are straight out of `Fiddler on the Roof' but other than that it's hard to find any fault here. I enjoyed every minute!
As you probably guessed, that's exactly what happens despite the rather obvious disapproval displayed by their families. When Rochel and Nisira learn that both sets of parents are actively seeking arranged marriages for their daughters they discover they have more in common than they ever thought they would. Relying on each other for strength and support through the trials and tribulations of submitting to the customs of their religious traditions they find a friendship that transcends cultural differences.
Critique: `Arranged' held my complete interest from beginning to end. The relationship between Rochel and Nisira is beautifully and thoughtfully presented and totally believable. Some of the Jewish stereotypes are straight out of `Fiddler on the Roof' but other than that it's hard to find any fault here. I enjoyed every minute!
49 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By Aaron Huber
Format:DVD
I thought that this was a very well done film. It was nice and simplistic, and didn't resort to steriotypical portrayals of Jews and Muslims. As an Orthodox Jew, I was happy to see an accurate portrayal of the Othodox community. Anyone who is an "insider" will really appreciate the humor of this movie, and I would highly reccomend it to people of all faiths.
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"Arranged" is a delightful tale of a friendship that develops between a traditional Muslim, Nasira [Francis Benhamou] and an Orthodox Jew,Rochel [Zoe Lister Jones] who both teach at a Brooklyn school. A class session raises the question from one of the students :How can a Jew be friends with a Muslim? and this sets the stage for the two women to come together and eventually form a close friendship.
Both Nasira and Rochel are from very traditional backgrounds and though their faiths set them apart from each other, it is also the strictures required by those faiths that bring them together and help them commisserate with each other - they are both in the process of being matchmade by their respective families to 'suitable' young men from their own religious backgrounds. Nasira balks at one of the suitors her father brings forth and Rochel finds herself being put in awkward 'blind dates' by her well-meaning but clueless aunt.
Yes, there are some sappy bits in this movie, but the portrayal of tradition is very credibly done, and the strong acting by the two female leads elevates this movie from just another social commentary. Having come from a very traditional family myself, I can relate to the emotional conflicts these girls go through, and though I rejected the pressures placed upon me, I can also understand and respect why these two young women chose to keep to their traditions and appease their parents. It doesn't mean that they are weak, its ultimately their choice.
This is a subtle and well-directed movie that often elicited smiles and tears as I sat through it. Highly recommended!
Both Nasira and Rochel are from very traditional backgrounds and though their faiths set them apart from each other, it is also the strictures required by those faiths that bring them together and help them commisserate with each other - they are both in the process of being matchmade by their respective families to 'suitable' young men from their own religious backgrounds. Nasira balks at one of the suitors her father brings forth and Rochel finds herself being put in awkward 'blind dates' by her well-meaning but clueless aunt.
Yes, there are some sappy bits in this movie, but the portrayal of tradition is very credibly done, and the strong acting by the two female leads elevates this movie from just another social commentary. Having come from a very traditional family myself, I can relate to the emotional conflicts these girls go through, and though I rejected the pressures placed upon me, I can also understand and respect why these two young women chose to keep to their traditions and appease their parents. It doesn't mean that they are weak, its ultimately their choice.
This is a subtle and well-directed movie that often elicited smiles and tears as I sat through it. Highly recommended!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Awaking
This story is defiantly a gem of a film. Its gripping and compelling from start to finish. It makes you think about what is happening in today's society.
Published 22 days ago by tsr
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie - Heartwarming - Details stereotypical
A very poignant portrayal of two religious girls from Moslem and Jewish backgrounds struggling to negotiate the marriage protocols of their communities while maintaining their... Read more
Published 1 month ago by whatever
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking and good message
Low budget but acting is good and the message of the story is meaningful.
I really enjoyed it and I think its worth watching.
I really enjoyed it and I think its worth watching.
Published 1 month ago by Megan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good insight into cultures
A engaging movie that brought you into the cultures of the two women. Not great movie making but does a good job of drawing you in.
Published 2 months ago by Montauk Harv
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes, it is a gem
Wonderfully acted, incredibly relevant in today's world. The struggles of maintaining family cultures in a different environment are poignantly captured in this well-paced story... Read more
Published 2 months ago by The computer lady
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a surprise!
I'm not sure what the target demographic is for this film, but I'm pretty sure I'm not it. Nevertheless, I was completely enchanted by the writing, directing, and acting of this... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Barry Friends
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful movie
Though a simple movie, "Arranged" is outstanding! The script was superb and truly reflected the cultures and stereotypes. Read more
Published 2 months ago by DD
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good
I enjoyed this movie because it was well done, light and entertaining. Not heavy, depressing or sad. I like to see points of view from other cultures for better understanding.
Published 3 months ago by Gramma Retta
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Look Inside the Brooklyn Orthodox Community
A nice film about arranged marriages in the Orthodox Jewish and Muslim communities of Brooklyn.
A little light on production values. Read more
A little light on production values. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Phil W
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quiet, well-done film
A quiet, cute, well-done film that is surprisingly riveting. Like many other reviewers, I turned it on just to give it a try, figuring I might just last 10 minutes, and then never... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Leah Suslovich
