The Reluctant Infidel: Movie Review

By tvnz.co.nz's Darren Bevan

Published: 2:32PM Monday June 13, 2011

• Email this article
• Print this article
• Text size + -
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook

The Reluctant Infidel

Rating: 7/10

Cast: Omid Djalili, Richard Schiff, Matt Lucas, Archie Panjabi

UK comedian Djalili stars as Muslim Mahud Nasir, a Muslim who doesn't always follow the tenets and commands of his faith.

After his mother's death, Nasir discovers that he's actually adopted by Muslims and was born a Jew.

So with that identity crisis, Nasir sets out to find his real father and finds himself on a journey into the Jewish faith - at the same time of this deeply personal crisis, his son is due to marry and needs his father to embrace his Muslim faith to impress their would be father in law&.

The Reluctant Infidel is cross cultural comedy at its very best - and occasionally at its most predictable.

That said, its pre credits sequence packs in more humorous moments than some comedy films ever manage to cram in during their entire running time.

But it's with its star Omid Djalili that this film triumphs - with a rotund appearance and everyman face, he's immediately identifiable and affable in the extreme. He manages to deliver some brilliant one liners and deal with some broad based comedy of misunderstandings as well.

David Baddiel's script sizzles with smarts and farce in equal measures; but it creaks a little towards the end - some may be put off by the subject matter but it's sensitively handled and ultimately preaches a message of tolerance.

The Reluctant Infidel is a sharp satirical piece which is at its heart, a old fashioned British comedy - with a fantastically funny lead.

• Email this article
• Print this article
• Text size + -
• more...
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook

Entertainment News Video

• The brains behind Shortland Street (10:40) 
• Video: Behind the scenes of Shortland Street (3:34) 
• A short history of Shortland Street (2:29) 

Entertainment News

• One Direction fan sneaks into dressing room
• Gisele Bundchen expecting second child - reports
• Will Smith says his children are 'savvy about fame'
• Kylie Minogue carries cancer scars
• Kelly Preston reportedly walks out on John Travolta
• Sir Elton John hospitalised
• Ronan Keating hits the bottle after marriage split

Most Popular

1. One Direction fan sneaks into dressing room
2. Strong quake hits Christchurch watch
3. Restrictions lifted after fruit fly scare
4. Kelly Preston reportedly walks out on John Travolta
5. Corby worse than a terrorist: judge

rssLatest News

• 07:17 New Zealand to host world's largest telescope
• 06:49 Restrictions lifted after fruit fly scare
• 22:07 Gritty Chiefs edge out Bulls in thriller watch
• 21:57 McDonald's investors reject obesity report
• 21:45 Car bomb hits Turkish police