Sasson Gabai and Ronit Elkabetz in "The Band's Visit"
(Credit: July August Productions/Sony Pictures Classics)
- Running time:
- 86 minutes
- Rated:
- PG-13
- Cast:
- Sasson Gabai -
- Tawfiq
- Ronit Elkabetz -
- Dina
- Director:
- Eran Kolirin
- Official Movie Web Site:
- http://www.sonyclassics.com/thebandsvisit/
- Overall User Rating:
-
(6 ratings)
Big question: Will a mild award-season controversy—“The Band’s Visit” was disqualified from foreign language film Oscar consideration because it contains too much English—spur any interest in this modest drama?
Catch it: With a running time that barely cracks 90 minutes, “The Band’s Visit” is a small film in every way. But the gentle messages of nostalgia and cross-cultural understanding are worthy and delivered in a pleasant enough fashion without ever descending into crass sentimentality. Tewfiq’s relationship with an extroverted local (Ronit Elkabetz) is an affecting reminder of the way disparate people can bond in unexpected ways.
Skip it: If roller disco is one “tradition” you wish would stay buried. Khaled discovers that’s where the town’s young people go for a romantic night out.
Bottom line: Even with the subtitles, “The Band’s Visit” isn’t that far removed from a CBS TV movie. It doesn’t rock the boat, but it doesn’t assault your senses either. And at least it knows not to overstay its welcome.
Bonus: The movie may have missed out on its chance to compete for the foreign language film Oscar but the memorably stoic Gabai won a best actor award at the European Film Awards.
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