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Zoe Lister Jones, Francis Benhamou, John Rothman, Mimi Lieber, Laith Nakli ... see more see more... , Doris Belack , Marcia Jean Kurtz , Peggy Gormley , Daniel London , Sanjit DeSilva , Alysia Reiner , Jake Robards , David Castro , Alison Becker , Jason Liebman , Arian Moayed , Gina Shmukler

Two women whose peoples are often at odds find they're more alike than anyone expects in this drama from directors Stefan C. Schaefer and Diane Crespo. Rochel (Zoe Lister-Jones) and Nasira (Francis Be... read more read more...nhamou) are two young women who have begun teaching at a public grade school in Brooklyn, NY. Rochel is an Orthodox Jew and Nasira is a Muslim of Pakistani descent, and the students and the administrators at the school are concerned there might be friction between the two teachers. However, over the course of their first year of teaching, Rochel and Nasira discover they have far more in common than they imagined -- both sometimes find themselves culturally out of place in 21st century New York, and both are trying to live within the traditions of their faith while struggling with their own feelings. In particular, Rochel and Nasira bond over the fact both are expected to enter into arranged marriages, Nasira with a wary optimism and Rochel with a great deal of trepidation. Arranged was screened in competition at the 2007 South by Southwest Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

88% liked it

1,933 ratings

Critics

64% liked it

14 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: Diane Crespo

Release Date: March 11, 2007

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DVD Release Date: March 4, 2008

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Stats: 264 reviews

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Zoe Lister Jones Zoe Lister Jones Zoe Lister Jones Zoe Lister Jones & Francis Benhamou Francis Benhamou Zoe Lister Jones & Francis Benhamou
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Flixster Reviews (264)

  • hoganshero
    May 5, 2010
    hoganshero
    Really enjoyed this sweet film, that delved into issues of race and religion. Great lesson, and great film.
  • gator681
    March 25, 2010
    gator681
    "Arranged" introduces Rochel(Zoe Lister Jones), an orthodox Jew, and Nasira(Francis Benhamou), a Muslim who was born in Syria, sitting on separate sides of the teacher's lounge quietly eating their lunches, with a group of women loudly talking in between them. Rochel is a para e... read moreducator, assigned to help Eddie(David Castro), a legally blind student in Nasira's class. The two women bond after the classroom explodes in a bout of ignorance(Eddie's surprised to hear there were ghettos in Europe. You have no idea.) and the resulting condescension by Principal Jacoby(Marcia Jean Kurtz). All of that is nothing compared to the stress of matchmaking that the new friends must deal with.

    "Arranged" brings sensitivity and grace to a situation many people would probably find draconian for a modern woman. The movie deftly respects Rochel and Nasira having the right to self-determination in choosing to not only live in tradition bound communities but also how to choose their husbands.(As Rochel asks, is the modern way any better?) It is interesting that the matchmaker emphasizes the potential husbands' economic prospects which while important in supporting a family is not everything. The women are not looking for perfection. They just want somebody they can share their lives with.(Teeth would also be nice.) So, as you can see, Rochel and Nasira are two modest women who have a lot in common, even if they are from different communities. Still, even this friendship is not without its detractors. Come on. It is not like they are going to marry each other...
  • ileo
    July 29, 2008
    ileo
    Great movie. Fantastic story plot about two young women from different cultures who quickly bond and become long-lived friends. Definitely worth seeing.
  • KLFilmmaker
    January 19, 2008
    KLFilmmaker
    A funny and touching story about family and friendship.
  • tennisp21
    May 25, 2011
    tennisp21
    A sweet movie about culture, tradition, the modern world, friendship, and finding your happily ever after. Despite being neither Orthodox Jewish or Muslim, I feel kindred with these women and the performances were superb.
  • quoththeravennevermore
    March 7, 2010
    quoththeravennevermore
    I saw this for a class and enjoyed it so intensely that I re-watched it on my own. The two different cultures, traditions, religions, merging in a harmonious relationship, is intriguing and heartwarming. The plot is simple: two women must commit to an arranged marriage, here i... read moren their twenty-first century circumstances, and thus, the Muslim and the Orthodox Jew unite as friends.
  • trmarchand
    September 15, 2009
    trmarchand
    A cute enough movie, showing how we can all get along. Rather predictable, but good-heared and well-meaning. (And the lead actress, the one who plays Rochel, is hot.) A decent enough way to spend some time.
  • nkkigrrl28
    July 28, 2009
    nkkigrrl28
    A beautiful and quiet movie about ignorance, understanding, culture, and the false dichotomy of tradition and modernity. Perhaps a rose-tinted view of arranged marriages, but certainly refreshing compared to conventional one-sided depictions on the subject. Made me stop and think... read more about my own biases and beliefs. Well acted, great two main protagonists. Very sweet film.
  • jefffhaines
    July 2, 2009
    jefffhaines
    This is both a good movie and a good chick flick, starring two strong female leads. Arranged is about two young schoolteachers in a multicultural school in (I think) New York. Both women are relative outcasts because they are Muslim and Jew among the normal cliques of educators... read more. They become friends. Each are traditional, and each are struggling with her parents, who are trying to arrange marriages for them. I found this movie to be unique, because it balanced the American "resist tradition" flag with the orthodox securities of religion. It's a nice, soothing little movie. Worth a rent.

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Critic Reviews

Elizabeth Weitzman
December 14, 2007
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

For a movie meant to shake viewers out of their ignorance, this clunky drama sure does indulge in a lot of stereotypes. Full Review

Jeannette Catsoulis
December 14, 2007
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times

In Arranged two devout Brooklyn schoolteachers clutch hands across the religious divide as their respective families prepare to marry them off. Full Review

Ronnie Scheib
December 13, 2007
Ronnie Scheib, Variety

Precise lensing, a strong sense of locale and vibrant, eminently likeable perfs enliven Arranged. Full Review

Nick Pinkerton
December 11, 2007
Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice

Lamentable scenes include that comic relief stand-by, the Bad Date Montage, but the movie comes off better than it should by virtue of Benhamou and (especially) Lister-Jones, appealing and modest youn... Full Review

Daniel M. Kimmel
August 11, 2009
Daniel M. Kimmel, The Jewish Advocate

Maybe real life isn't as neat as portrayed here. In that case, the drawback is with reality, not the movie.

David Nusair
March 20, 2008
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...a slight yet thoroughly charming little effort... Full Review

Kam Williams
March 4, 2008
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze

Even if the cross-cultural camaraderie looks a little easy to achieve, here, aren't movies sometimes supposed to point towards the path of peace and reconciliation? Full Review

Shahnaz Habib
December 26, 2007
Shahnaz Habib, New York Press

Lays out the magic and messiness of friendship between women, and an outsider becomes a privileged insider. Full Review

Maitland McDonagh
December 14, 2007
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide

Schaefer and Crespo's message isn't subtle, but they give it a fresh face by focusing on women whose identities are shaped but not warped by piety and devotion to ancient cultural values. Full Review

Eric Monder
December 14, 2007
Eric Monder, Film Journal International

While the celebratory finale is supposed to be uplifting, it could just as easily be described as depressing and disturbing. Full Review

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Arranged Trivia

  • in the godfather, the Don said " the one who makes the meeting is the traitor, don't ever forget that..". the meeting was arranged, who was the traitor?  Answer »
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  • Who has Arranged Dr. Nicholas Garrigan escape from Uganda, so he would not be killed by the Dictator's Militia men?  Answer »
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