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Omid Djalili, Richard Schiff, Archie Panjabi, Igal Naor, Amit Shah

A devoted Muslim family man experiences a hilarious identity crisis after discovering that he was adopted at birth, and his real name is Solly Shimshillewitz. Mahmud Nasir (Omid Djalili) is still grie... read more read more...ving the recent death of his mother when he finds his birth certificate, and learns he was born to a Jewish mother. In order to embrace his heritage, Mahmud seeks the advice of drunken cab-driver Lenny (Richard Schiff), whose crash course in Judaism is more quirky than kosher. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

45% liked it

7,934 ratings

Critics

65% liked it

23 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Josh Appignanesi

Release Date: May 5, 2010

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DVD Release Date: October 26, 2010

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Flixster Reviews (405)

  • aquateen2
    December 21, 2011
    aquateen2
    The Infidel in a way is kind of like Four Lions. It's not as good as Four Lions but it's a good satirical film that pokes fun at not only the muslims but also at the people that dislike them. Decently made little film from Britain.
  • SirPant
    February 28, 2011
    SirPant
    I'm sure a lot of people have been put off this film by the poster, that and the fact the words 'Comedy' and 'British' usually disappoint when it comes to recent mainstream comedy. There is really good British comedy out there, and here is the proof! So forget Notting Hill, East ... read moreis East and all that crap, The Infidel is intelligent, daring but most importantly funny. Omid Djalili is as good as always and I must say it's nice to see him in a lead role and not as a stereotype in some Hollywood blockbuster. There are some good cameos here also from some great British comedians. When you can make people laugh using one of the most touchy subjects, you have done well. It was written by David Baddiel though so I'm not surprised, and even if you don't like him as a performer, you have to admire is brilliant writing. Watch this and laugh, then watch Four Lions and laugh some more because if you can't laugh what is the point, we're a funny lot us humans!
  • itsjustme2004
    December 7, 2010
    itsjustme2004
    The first 15 minutes are really funny. For those of you who have difficulty in understanding a British accent, some of the jokes may be difficult to truly enjoy. The Muslim and Jewish (primarily Jewish) stereotypes will make you laugh at loud, though. Unfortunately, the last 1/2 ... read morehour or so just seems to fizzle...with the ending being just silly. Still, all things said, its worth a view.
  • xxdebxx
    February 6, 2011
    xxdebxx
    A Muslim Who Just May Be Jewish!

    The movie revolves around the life a London cab driver Mahmud Nasir, a decent, easy-going family man of very moderate Islamic views (he does not pray five times a day, nor fast every single day in the month of Ramadan and he occasionally has an... read more alcoholic drink) who finds out that he was adopted and his biological parents are actually Jewish when his mother dies. Understandably upset by the threat this truth might bring to his normalcy, Mahmud hides the truth from his wife and from a son who's about to marry the step-daughter of a radical Pakistani cleric and for the lad's sake, Mahmud is prepared to pretend to be a devout Muslim. During this period Mahmud questions his identity and goes into a cathartic phase until logic prevails and he reaches a firm conclusion of who he is and what it means to be Mahmud Nasir.

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    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic

    Omid Djalili does a great job and his portrayal of the man torn between two ideas is natural and funny, as he explores the Jewish life by enlisting the help of a rival cabbie driver and American Jew who tries to teach him the Jewish traditions, to pass himself off as a parodic Jew so he can get past a protective young Orthodox rabbi (Matt Lucas) and get to see his elderly ailing birth father in a Golders Green old people's home.

    The Infidel provides some very funny moments and the cultural and religious clashes are hilariously depicted. The film explores this with wry humour which makes it easy viewing, and we note the prevalent use of the internet as a means for modern Muslims to keep current and in-touch.

    This movie reveals that we have some cultural heritages that don't always get along, but we're all just people and we have to share this world for better or for worse.
  • fb100001266995067
    November 16, 2010
    fb100001266995067
    it is ok. if your a constant movie wacther its worth seeing but nothing special
  • ileo
    March 1, 2011
    ileo
    Humorous! Mahmud Nasir is content with life, his small family, and the music of his favorite musical artist, Gary Page. His son is preparing for marriage with the girl he loves, and his young daughter constantly infuriates her mother with her rambunctious behavior. After losin... read moreg his mother, Mahmud and his son, Rashid, decide to clear out her belongings. Amongst a stack of important papers, he learns that he was adopted. Awkwardly dealing with this newfound information, he realizes that his birth father is still alive and hopes to see him soon. In the midst of all this, he becomes friends with Lenny, an American cabdriver.
    Omid Djalili, Richard Schiff, Archie Panjabi, Amit Shah, Soraya Radford, James Floyd, and Yigal Naor stars. Worthy!
  • shyrsatr
    April 16, 2011
    shyrsatr
    Only the suddenly rushed ending prevents me from higher marks. Also would have enjoyed a bit more 'offensive' Muslim jokes rivaling that of the Jewish jokes but considering the way some adherents of the Muslim faith (which I belong to) react, I can see why they held back and stuc... read morek with somewhat uncomfortable yet not enough to cause real outrage jokes among said community. Overall, a good effort, one which hopefully opens the path to more jewish/muslim dialogue using comedy. 8/10
  • MyFriendAli
    August 29, 2010
    MyFriendAli
    Real life situation, Adult Lingo, Good Time Pass!
    -
    About a Muslim Pakistani Guy who life takes a 360 turn after he finds out he was adopted & born Jewish!
    -
    Moral: Look Not What a Man Has Done, But What he Hopes to Do!" &
    "The Feeling of Belonging is the Biggest Feeling of A... read morell!"

View All The Infidel Reviews

Critic Reviews

Rick Groen
August 20, 2010
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Tthis thing plays like a cheeky Brit-com blown up to feature length, with a thin coat rack of plot to hang the ethnic humour on, and a wish to offend without being offensive. Full Review

Robert Abele
June 24, 2010
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times

An admirably cagey effort to mine humor from the thorny cultural and racial divide that is Muslim-Jewish relations. Full Review

Neil Genzlinger
May 7, 2010
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times

An amusing little film from Britain. Full Review

Andrew L. Urban
November 6, 2010
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile

A multi-layered film with all sorts of surfaces, from rough to smooth and corrugated, but it's an enjoyable and colourful work which is inoffensive even while it is being irreverent Full Review

Louise Keller
November 6, 2010
Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile

Stand-up comic Omid Djalili is hilarious as Mahmud Nasir, the father and husband who discovers he is neither Muslim enough nor Jewish enough to satisfy anyone that matters, after discovering his hidde... Full Review

Paj Sandhu
October 22, 2010
Paj Sandhu, Moviedex

The rest of us can take heart in charming little comedies like The Reluctant Infidel that stress our commonalities and make our differences something to laugh about. Full Review

Christian Toto
October 21, 2010
Christian Toto, What Would Toto Watch?

Can't we all just coexist? The Infidel can't bring the laughs, but it's a subtle peek at scapegoating on all sides. Full Review

Craig Mathieson
September 16, 2010
Craig Mathieson, sbs.com.au

This pleasing comedy more than makes do with the idea of conciliation -- it really, really just wants us to get along. Full Review

Leigh Paatsch
September 15, 2010
Leigh Paatsch, Herald Sun (Australia)

Soon blands out into the glib, ethnicky slapstick that is the regrettable stock in trade of Nia Vardolos. Full Review

Mark Demetrius
September 13, 2010
Mark Demetrius, FILMINK (Australia)

Often uproariously funny, this cross-cultural comedy brims with sharp dialogue and its ideas are sensitive and intelligent without being heavy-handed. Full Review

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The Infidel Trivia

  • Name the film in which Deborah Kerr played columnist Sheilah Graham who was having an affair with novelist F Scott Fitzgerald played by Gregory Peck.  Answer »
  • In the film Hidalgo Frank T. Hopkins said the quote And you, an unbeliever in the tent of a man who can trace his very blood back to Adam, you will be removed of your infidel self.   Answer »
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