The Insult * * * 1/2
"You F***ing Prick!" That's the insult? I mean, really???
These guys wouldn't last two minutes in Australia if they're going to get uppity about stuff like that. There are times when you can say that to someone down here and it'll come across as a term of endearment. An insult in Australia is when you keep your hand in your pocket when it's your turn to buy the next round.
Ah cultural differences. And that what this film is about in many ways.
In modern day Lebanon there are a lot of Palestinians. This film suggest that the Lebanese and the Palestinians more or less get along, but there is more than a little friction.
An argument between a Palestinian building supervisor and a Christian Lebanese tenant becomes a microcosm of the whole explosive situation. They become so obsessed about words of verbal abuse they end up in court.
There are some tense scenes and some very persuasive arguments, some abhorrent arrogance and obscene lack of empathy.
Yet as the trial progresses each begins to mellow, there are some accusations and charges they don't want to pursuit as they realise the absurdity of it. But by now the lawyers are well into it. Talking of whom, the story of the relationship between the two lawyers struck me as contrived and unlikely and certainly unnecessary. We could have done without that bit of soap.
But overall this is an intelligent and entertaining film with more than a few messages, including that a person born in Lebanon of Lebanese heritage, can be a refugee in their own land. It throws up many other interesting and challenging arguments so it is a shame that it comes to a decisive conclusion. Though I think it'll take more than this movie to solve their problems.
These guys wouldn't last two minutes in Australia if they're going to get uppity about stuff like that. There are times when you can say that to someone down here and it'll come across as a term of endearment. An insult in Australia is when you keep your hand in your pocket when it's your turn to buy the next round.
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| That awkward post trial moment when you notice who you're parked next to. |
In modern day Lebanon there are a lot of Palestinians. This film suggest that the Lebanese and the Palestinians more or less get along, but there is more than a little friction.
An argument between a Palestinian building supervisor and a Christian Lebanese tenant becomes a microcosm of the whole explosive situation. They become so obsessed about words of verbal abuse they end up in court.
There are some tense scenes and some very persuasive arguments, some abhorrent arrogance and obscene lack of empathy.
Yet as the trial progresses each begins to mellow, there are some accusations and charges they don't want to pursuit as they realise the absurdity of it. But by now the lawyers are well into it. Talking of whom, the story of the relationship between the two lawyers struck me as contrived and unlikely and certainly unnecessary. We could have done without that bit of soap.
But overall this is an intelligent and entertaining film with more than a few messages, including that a person born in Lebanon of Lebanese heritage, can be a refugee in their own land. It throws up many other interesting and challenging arguments so it is a shame that it comes to a decisive conclusion. Though I think it'll take more than this movie to solve their problems.
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