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Sally Field, Alfred Molina, Sheila Rosenthal, Roshan Seth, Sarah Badel ... see more see more... , Mony Rey , Georges Corraface , Daphna Armoni , Yacov Banai , Gili Ben-Ozilio , Racheli Chaimian , Jonathan Cherchi , Bruce Evers , Soudabeh Farrokhnia , Sasson Gabay , Marc Gowan , Ed Grady , Ahuva Keren , Michael Morim , Avraham Morr , Mary Rey , Judith Robinson , Mary Nell Santacroce , Amir Shmuel , Yossi Tabib , Farzaneh Taidi , Yerusha Tirosh , Shaul Mizrahi , Shay Griffin , Dalia Hovers , Joyce Gallie , Judy Taylor , Mike Fenton , Joseph Shiloach

In this docudrama based on true events, a mid-'80s Michigan housewife finds her life turned upside down when a vacation to Tehran with her Iranian husband turns into virtual imprisonment for her and h... read more read more...er young daughter. Betty Mahmoody (Sally Field) is reluctant to visit the wartorn homeland of her doctor husband, Moody (Alfred Molina). But, depressed about the racism of the American medical establishment and pining for contact with his family, Moody convinces her to join him for a two-week jaunt. The Islamic fundamentalism and strange customs of Iran bewilder and frighten Betty and her daughter, Mahtob (Sheila Rosenthal). But nothing prepares her for Moody's announcement that the family will be remaining in Tehran indefinitely. Despite beatings and more pervasive psychological control from her husband and his relatives, Betty makes it to the Swiss embassy (there is no American ambassador at the time). There, she learns that as the wife of an Iranian, she is now automatically considered a citizen and that she has absolutely no parental rights over Mahtob in this country. Betty then endures several years as a virtual prisoner, escaping only with the help of Westernized Iranian friends. Based on the book by the real-life Mahmoody and William Hoffer, Not Without My Daughter was coincidentally released during the long build-up to 1991's Gulf War. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Flixster Users

71% liked it

15,383 ratings

Critics

47% liked it

15 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Brian Gilbert

Release Date: January 11, 1991

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DVD Release Date: October 2, 2001

Stats: 751 reviews

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Not Without My Daughter Sheila Rosenthal Mony Rey Sarah Badel
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Flixster Reviews (751)

  • ScoopOnline
    December 29, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Unlike the Mini Series, the Movie stayed true to the spirit of the book.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    July 16, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    A depressing but courageous movie. It made me dislike those cultural beliefs even more.
  • dreamfaeries
    March 5, 2007
    dreamfaeries
    Very well done, intelligent film.
  • crazydannielle16
    February 1, 2011
    crazydannielle16
    Wow. This was an incredibly chilling and moving story with a great performance by Sally Field. I literally felt that I was Betty, experiencing the hostility toward women in Iran. She made me feel what she must have been feeling, being held hostage against her will in a foreign co... read moreuntry where she is not treated equally to man. She lived in constant fear of being beaten or killed or having her child taken away. This movie is based on the true story of Betty's adventure as she tries to escape her abusive Iranian husband and return to America with her daughter. The ONLY negative thing I have to say about the movie is that the husband's demeanor seemed to dramatically change as he went from a loving, devoted husband and father to a brutal, controlling Muslim. The movie does not show many Muslim characters in a good light... in fact, the majority of the Muslims are shown to be uncaring and insensitive. I did not receive the movie as racist but I fear that others might. The culture was not shown in a very good light, in fact, I found myself thinking from time to time, "Praise God I live in America!" The American flag waving at the end is almost a little hokey even though it's supposed to represent triumph and freedom. The message I'm getting is: "America= Good Iran= Bad"" I'm sure not all of Iran is how Betty experienced it. Overall, an amazing and well-told story.
  • xxdebxx
    September 26, 2010
    xxdebxx
    The story of Betty Mahmoody played by Sally Fields who've been living happily with her husband Moody and their daughter Mahtob in America for many years. Moody works as a doctor at the hospital but misses his family and home country Iran (he's been living and working in the US fo... read morer the past twenty years). Betty is very reluctant to go to Iran because it was such a war torn and primitive country but Moody swears that everything would be alright and they would return in 2 weeks tops. Betty agrees and so the family boards a plane to Iran. But soon the horrible truth about their 'vacation' surfaces and Betty learns that her husband doesn't intend to bring his family back to America... ever. She may return, he says, but their daughter must stay. Being the good mother that she is she refuses to go without her daughter (hence the name of the movie). In a hostile, war-torn country, where even the slightest misstep can mean death, she makes a desperate bid to escape with her child.

    I thought the transformation of Alfred Molina's character from caring, loving husband and father to an oppressive and cold-hearted fanatic was sickening but the movie didn't show details as to what prompted such a transformation. (Call me crazy but you're telling me that you've had a fairytale marriage for many years, and the wife never noticed anything odd about him, and then the air in Iran suddenly turns him into a nasty monster?)

    Nevertheless, the story is told from Betty Mahmoody's experience and tells of her suffering, the people she met, how she got out and you get to see it through HER eyes.

    Whatever one thinks about religion or cultural differences, the fact is that people ARE different. Moreover, the depiction of Moody as swinging from moderate to radical is based on Betty's memories. This is one woman's story and the viewer should draw his or her own conclusion.
  • blizzpirate
    February 3, 2012
    blizzpirate
    brilliant movie great acting and most of it actually happened in real life. full of suspense very good thriller movie
  • muveekween
    May 19, 2011
    muveekween
    A good movie with Sally Field. In this movie Sally Field (Betty Mahmoody) agrees to go to Iran with her young daughter and Iranian-American husband for two weeks. Little does she know her husband has ulterior motives. Based on a true story. Worth a buy.
  • Artsywoman29
    September 5, 2009
    Artsywoman29
    Sally Field is a great actress. This movie is about a woman who marries a man from Iran and has a child. She goes to his country with him only to then discover he doesn't plan to leave it. He says she can leave if she wants but can not take her daughter so She is then forced to... read more find a way to break free of him and get out of a dangerous country with her daughter. Good movie, but also very slow paced. It is worth watching though.
  • brian19692005
    March 4, 2009
    brian19692005
    I thought this was a very good film. I am sure it was not considered politically correct even thought it was accurate.
  • whiterabitt04
    July 17, 2008
    whiterabitt04
    The first time I saw this, I thought it was a fabulous story of life and love in the Middle East. The second time, I was still mourning my dad's death and this just added to my depression so I couldn't stay to watch it all. Now, 15 years later, I'd like to see it again with a fre... read moresh perspective.

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Critic Reviews

Don Willmott
April 21, 2005
Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com

relentlessly ugly Full Review

Clint Morris
March 24, 2005
Clint Morris, Moviehole

Sally Field gives an emotionally-rich performance

Phil Villarreal
August 2, 2002
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star

Surprisingly gripping, though somewhat xenophobic.

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

November 24, 2008
Entertainment Weekly

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August 18, 2008
Variety

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Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

No review available.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Not Without My Daughter Trivia

  • In what movie does Sally Field end up a prisoner in a strange country by her own husband - based on true events?  Answer »
  • Which movie tells the story of a mother and child trying to escape from Iran?  Answer »
  • In the movie "Not without my Daughter" The daughter of Betty & Moody Mahmoody, was named Mahtob. What was the meaning of her name in Farsi?  Answer »
  • what actress would you find in the movies, Legally bonde 2, Mrs doubtfire, not without my daughter, stay hungry and eye for an eye?  Answer »
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