Customer Reviews

Arranged

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

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.

"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!

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It is another fine example of the possibility of quality film being made without a big Hollywood budget, and without super-star celebrity participation. The principals are believable and engaging in their roles. At one point I took note of the fact that I was lost in the story the film was telling, despite the lack of a manipulative, big-budget musical score.

The two main characters, Rochel, an Orthodox Jew, and Nasira, a devout Muslim, find that they share more in common with each other, despite their religious differences, than they do with the culture around them. While this film is certainly about the possibility of cross-cultural friendship between those at the extremes of different faiths, I found that it spoke to me more as an exploration of the possibility of faithful adherence to traditional values of any stripe in the face of modern pressures to acquiesce to the prevailing secular culture. The central struggle concerns the tradition of arranged marriage, a tradition that puts those who practice it squarely at odds with a modern society convinced there is only one way to find a mate. I felt these strong, young women's honest struggle as they tried to reckon with the pressures of the traditional faiths of their families, society, and their own personal autonomy.

What I especially appreciated about the film is that the two young women were smart, beautiful, and fully cognizant of their ability to chose a life for themselves. They realized that their adherence to the traditions of their faith was a conscious choice and a legitimate, though not always easy, one.

I can see why this movie would never become a blockbuster hit considering the taste of mainstream america. I search for movies with substance and this movie definately hits the mark. I do not belong to either culture but can easily relate to the pressure both women, Rochel and Nasira were going through with the American society and their families. I also applauded the fact that the two women CHOSE to embrace their cultures and follow tradition with the arranged marriage. They did not settle but held out for men who they felt true compatibility with. This was an excellent film!

This movie is essentially a chick flick with an added theme. It involves two young female school teachers, an Orthodox Jew and a Syrian Muslim, who find that their conservative views significantly alienate them from the surrounding secular society. Because of this similarity, they form a bond, despite the obvious religious tension. The movie is a chick flick because the plot revolves around their parents trying to arrange marriages for them, a process that doesn't always go smoothly but concludes with a happy ending for both of them.

The added theme, of course, is the religious element. The movie doesn't really go into the issues involved in the Jew/Muslim conflict, but the implied suggestion is that there may be enough common ground to overcome differences and history. I don't know how realistic that message is, but I like the idea of promoting tolerance. Another interesting and unexpected aspect is that the Muslim family comes across as more liberal and tolerant than the Jewish family. Again, I don't know if this is realistic, but it's nice to see a portrayal of Muslims which challenges the ultra-conservative stereotype.

In the end, this isn't an overly deep or complex movie, but I like its positive and hopeful messages, and the acting is solid, so I recommend it -- and not just to chicks.

This story, about two kids who happen to be of "opposite", yet very similar religions, is very common in a place as diverse as Brooklyn. Especially in the work place, and even more so, if the workplace happens to be a school. It's beautiful to see it portrayed so realistically.

Rochel and Nasira are very beautiful young girls, and very serious. Both have ancient traditions and loving families. Both are free to make their own choices, being citizens of a free country, and both choose to follow their own religions.

This movie does not harp on the Muslim/Jewish struggle (it just mentions it once when the children ask about it) there is no political connotation, no propaganda attached to it at all, which is refreshing. it simply tells a charming story that may have occurred at one time or another in Brooklyn.

Rachel is a twenty-two year old Orthodox Jew. Nasira is a Syrian Muslim. It would appear that they have little in common. Not true. They both teach at a public school in Brooklyn, and they befriend each other as they both struggle with the tensions that arise between their conservative religious families and the larger, secular world in which they live and work. Their principal makes fun of their religious values, their students assume that all Jews and Muslims hate each other, and their families are visibly upset when they visit each other's home. These tensions come in to sharp relief when both Rachel and Nasira negotiate the prospects of marriages that are strictly arranged by their families. This is a great movie about individual choice and personal identity within the greater push and pull of family, culture, gender roles, ethnicity, and religion.

A Syrian Muslim woman and an Orthodox Jewish woman begin teaching in the same school. As the title suggests, both of their families are in the process of finding the perfect husbands for them, and sharing stories of what they're going through with each other helps them bond. It's a sweet story that shows that while not all Jews and Muslims get along, there are many peaceful Jews and Muslims that are great friends.

The film isn't full of dramatic actions or insane plot twists, so if you're looking for that in this movie, look elsewhere. However, for an independent film, it is pretty charming. It is a simple and straightforward movie. The tribulations these young women go through, especially the Orthodox Jewish woman, are pretty funny. The women's friendship also helps them cope with the school principal, who ironically bullies them to be more liberal.

Oh, and it's also nice that this movie presents what an "arranged" marriage should be. Both women are presented with many choices for potential husbands; however, ultimately, they CHOOSE whom they want to marry, as in any other marriage. Arranged marriages should never be forced or pressured. On the other hand, one shouldn't criticize arranged marriages as long as the people who are in them are okay with them. It's not the ideal way to marry for everyone, but these families are generally fine with it, so let them be.

An understated yet wonderful gem -- all the more impressive in light of its having been filmed in a mere 17 days!

This story -- of a warm friendship that develops between two women of very different religions yet not-so-different hearts and circumstances -- avoids so many wrong paths that lesser films might have (and all too often have indeed) taken. On the one hand, it does not romanticize sincere devotion as an always clear or comfortable path; and it vividly portrays both the humour and the frustration a younger generation may experience in receiving guidance from its elders. On the other hand, it does not condemn or even trivialize 'conservative' adherence to such beliefs and traditions.

I especially appreciated one episode involving a party, in which a young woman's reaction, to things so many today would consider normal social activity, is depicted neither as self-righteousness nor as weakness nor even as temptation-barely-avoided. She simply does not find that world attractive. Indeed, far more of us understand her aversion than most of the entertainment industry usually recognizes. And when, later, she does pointedly 'take a stand', it is against someone whose pride in being more 'worldly' and 'sophisticated' was what had proved the REAL self-righteousness.

Ultimately, however, this is a story of affirmation, and a film both charming and fun. The two central roles are played out perfectly -- blending humour, angst, intelligence, and 'spunk' in a way that is utterly believable. These are women you would want to know, women who could become anything they choose ... and who succeed in doing so.