Language of the Enemy (2008)

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Contrary to popular belief, Blockbuster employees do in fact listen to customer suggestions about movies.  This is one of those that was recommended to me by one of our regulars.  It's something I normally wouldn't have bothered with.

The film takes place in Israel, where everyone seems to absolutely despise each other.  Being the stupid American I am, I didn't know a whole lot about this part of the world before the movie, aside from "bombs go off and CNN reports it...sometimes".  A Jew by the name of Romi finds out about a bus explosion in the middle of the city.  Unfortunately, his father was one of the victims, so he flies out to Israel for the first time to visit his family.  When he arrives, he discovers that his brother is part of an anti-Palestinian group who immediately recruit him as an under-cover agent due to his knowledge of the enemy language.  Fast forward, and he meets a Palestinian woman (Joleh) who he instantly falls for (and who just so happens to be the daughter of the enemies leader).

I should have realized it sooner based on the names, but it took me while.  If you haven't guessed it by now, this is LITERALLY Romeo and Juliette: Middle East edition.  Complete with the poisoning and the faked deaths.  Don't run for the hills just yet though!  The movie does an excellent job of portraying the every day dangers of the region, with top notch acting and an amazing inside look at the every day life of terrorist organization #32.  It was still a bit disappointing once I realized what the overlying story was going to be, but overall it's a solid movie.

So if you are in the mood for a twist on the classic Shakespearean play, this one definitely destroys some of the other knock offs.  But in all honesty the formula is getting pretty stale.  I would split this movie in half and review each section separately if I could, but that wouldn't be accurate now would it?

Language of the Enemy gets a 3/5 for fortifying my fears of visiting any country between France and China.

Release Dates
Blockbuster: October 14, 2010
Red Box: (Not Carried) 

Comments

  1. DrackarNovember 7, 2010 at 5:39 PM

    Guh. Kinda insulting, in a sense, to the real problems of that area to put a romantic spin to it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 8, 2010 at 2:29 PM

    I like war movies!

    ReplyDelete
  3. FlippyNovember 10, 2010 at 4:28 PM

    oh cools, i didn't know you worked at blockbuster. how is it? what are you paid?

    ReplyDelete
  4. SethistoNovember 11, 2010 at 2:02 AM

    @Flippy

    It's a fun job. I get your average wages there for a retail job, above minimum, below noticable lol

    Free rentals make my entertainment cost=0 though.

    ReplyDelete

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