Yes, an uplifting theme: life can change on a dime, often when we least expect it. Ninety-eight percent of us know this, many of us have experienced it and all of us have seen this theme in countless films. Nothing new and/or extraordinary here.
INS Nuts and bolts. Many 'atop soap box' reviews spend major time castigating the 'epitome of EVIL' INS as a major theme of the film. Now to the flip side. There are no countries without immigration laws. Consider this young woman's web posting: My husband comes from a very poor African country. Even I, as his wife, cannot just move there and work there without knowledge and permission of the government there.
Many say: See how the INS destroys the life of a talented,productive person (Tarek) in an instant and without warning? NOT! Truth in cinema be told the INS did NOT snap up Tarek without warning but rather some time earlier sent Tarek a letter explaining what they planned to do. None mention that when it comes to Tarek's current plight his mother Mouna points the finger of blame AT HERSELF for a very specific act on her part which directly set the stage for Tarek's detention.
Tarek and Walter rage over the unfair INS laws. Yet, no one suggests the U.S. become the only country with open borders and no immigration laws.
Tarek argues to Walter "I've done nothing wrong" at the same time his girlfriend tells Walter "I can't visit Tarek because we are here illegally." Clearly a disconnect.
In the end, INS aside, the human stories and high caliber acting carry the film and warrant its near universal praise. It is heartening to view an uplifting life altering event and also disheartening to see the event so very quickly lead to utter sadness and great personal loss. And yet that is the slice of life delivered in this excellent indie production.
INS Nuts and bolts. Many 'atop soap box' reviews spend major time castigating the 'epitome of EVIL' INS as a major theme of the film. Now to the flip side. There are no countries without immigration laws. Consider this young woman's web posting: My husband comes from a very poor African country. Even I, as his wife, cannot just move there and work there without knowledge and permission of the government there.
Many say: See how the INS destroys the life of a talented,productive person (Tarek) in an instant and without warning? NOT! Truth in cinema be told the INS did NOT snap up Tarek without warning but rather some time earlier sent Tarek a letter explaining what they planned to do. None mention that when it comes to Tarek's current plight his mother Mouna points the finger of blame AT HERSELF for a very specific act on her part which directly set the stage for Tarek's detention.
Tarek and Walter rage over the unfair INS laws. Yet, no one suggests the U.S. become the only country with open borders and no immigration laws.
Tarek argues to Walter "I've done nothing wrong" at the same time his girlfriend tells Walter "I can't visit Tarek because we are here illegally." Clearly a disconnect.
In the end, INS aside, the human stories and high caliber acting carry the film and warrant its near universal praise. It is heartening to view an uplifting life altering event and also disheartening to see the event so very quickly lead to utter sadness and great personal loss. And yet that is the slice of life delivered in this excellent indie production.