Omar
Adopt Films | Release Date: February 21, 2014
7.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 43 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
33
Mixed:
4
Negative:
6
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
MarcDoyleFeb 22, 2014
One of my favorite films of this young year. The young actors are excellent, and the actor who plays the Israeli officer/agent is terrific. The story pulses with action and romantic intrigue. I found it a touch confusing at the outset exactlyOne of my favorite films of this young year. The young actors are excellent, and the actor who plays the Israeli officer/agent is terrific. The story pulses with action and romantic intrigue. I found it a touch confusing at the outset exactly which side of the wall Omar is on at a given time, and I felt I was playing catch-up a bit, but as the story of this group of friends develops, things become clear. The suspense is maintained until the credits roll. It's great to be able to turn to quality foreign films like this one during the first quarter of the year when Hollywood typically churns out its modest slate.… Expand
3 of 4 users found this helpful31
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10
katezoeOct 4, 2014
Political thriller at its best. Edge of your seat suspense and you are in for a rollar coaster ride of intrique, double crossing, and sadness of the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
TheDRauchDec 2, 2014
A wrenching Palestinian drama worthy of that Oscar nomination it was lauded this January. The titular character of Omar is treated in such a tragic way, I dare viewers not to sympathize with him throughout. The film revolves around a trio ofA wrenching Palestinian drama worthy of that Oscar nomination it was lauded this January. The titular character of Omar is treated in such a tragic way, I dare viewers not to sympathize with him throughout. The film revolves around a trio of friends who stage an assassination of a soldier. An ensuing fallout results in one of them, Omar, getting captured and tortured, forced to work with the government. Already the stage is set for morally grey exploration of terrorist brotherhoods. The characters are treated so humanely that it is easy to overlook their violent acts through a lens of absolute empathy. Eventually, Omar is left to make several hard decisions in order to keep his life from spiraling out of control. The events escalate to a situation-lockout that leaves you with a feeling of utter hopelessness. This plotting is complex, yet it's design and moral conflict is inherently quite simple. Each betrayal or plot twist is underscored with an understanding of the motivation behind each character, leaving no one an outright villain and the hero ultimately a martyr. The performances from everyone involved are decent, but the lead, Adam-I-forget-his-last-name-at-the-moment, deserves particular praise for creating a balance of stoicism and cool reserve. There are a few moments of humor as well to prevent the drama from reaching flat-out bleak territory, even though most of the attempts are just that. The elements with Omar and his girlfriend become repetitive early on and I cared least about her storyline, though it is vital to the story. Aside from an ending that feels bizarrely jarring and unsatisfying, literally only in the final seconds, the whole ride propels forward at a steady pace and never loses track of the human element at hand. Probably the most tragic lead character of the year, I almost cried I felt so bad for him.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
NightReviewsMar 9, 2014
In a world according to Paradise Now director Hany Abu-Assad, death, murder and revolt is currently a right of passage to manhood and way of life in the West Bank. Hearts-pounding, sweat dripping, pulses racing; three friends and militantsIn a world according to Paradise Now director Hany Abu-Assad, death, murder and revolt is currently a right of passage to manhood and way of life in the West Bank. Hearts-pounding, sweat dripping, pulses racing; three friends and militants affiliated with the Aksa Martyrs Brigades find themselves organizing a sniper attack on an Israeli Military post that will find their friendships, loyalties and lives changed forever.

Omar is the name of the film and is also the name of our main protagonist (Adam Bakri) one of the three friends whose sensitivity, loyalty, passion for life, and love of the cause are unflinching. Omar is a Palestinian living in the West Bank who, like most, are subjected to an intolerable amount of injustice and mistreatment as anyone else currently living in the West Bank from the Israeli Defence Force. The location of the West Bank, has just as much if not more to say itself than the film in question, but for the sake of the flow of this review, let’s not get into a discussion of history. Taut, riveting and desperate, Omar is a suspenseful film in constant pursuit of truth.

Omar is a freedom fighter, led by his childhood friend and best buddy Tarek (Iyad Hoorani), and joined by their younger, marshmallowy and goofy friend Amjad (Samer Bisharat). The three friends plan out a violent and extremely dangerous mission to help the Palestinian cause. Although their efforts are valiant, essentially, they become killers. Omar tells a story of one man’s life in the grande scheme of things and in the on-going battle between Jews and Arabs for a Holy Land; a land who’s soil is drenched with the bloody memories of the lives once lived.

Part high-tension chase film, part intricate prison/interrogation drama, Omar could easily be confused with a political-thriller that would and could be directed by Paul Greengrass (Captain Phillips); thanks to the film’s effortless ability to share many of the same idealistic political views of its people, its military, its innocent and its guilty. Throughout the film, it seems that Omar is the only one in the group getting hassled, arrested and tortured, until, he mistakenly confesses about the sniper shooting to the officer in charge of him Rami (Waleed Zuaiter). As a Palestinian freedom fighter, Omar is reminded over and over again that there is nothing worse than collaborating with Jews, not even death. After facing countless attacks within the prison, being accused of treason and as collaborating with Jews, Omar’s greatest challenge is to convince his peers, fellow patriots, the love of his life Nadia (Leem Lubany), as well as himself of the choices and actions he must make to clear his name and garner the trust that seems far from reach.

As the plot of the film progresses, Omar, a once simple baker working outside the West Bank, daydreaming of a Honeymoon with his girlfriend and hopeful wife Nadia, becomes a conspirator of each person around him and their elaborate plans against the opposition. Omar climbs the wall the divides his worlds so that he may exchange simple love letters with Nadia and they try to plan their future together, a future that soon becomes thwarted by a Defense Force that will do anything to get Tarek, even if it means crumbling Omar’s world. The film quickly progresses to a spellbinding and exhausting flee of terror from authorities and so many questionable ideals which each side exhibits.

Filmmaker Abu-Assad, who was born in Nazareth, and is no stranger to the dangers of life in the West Bank, uses Omar and his fine skills as a director to catch up and keep pace with the athletic, constantly in-pursuit protagonist. Beaten, bruised, bloodied and broken, Omar represents a proud and very real population of Arab people. Between discreet close-up panning shots, to questionable editing and pacing, the film seems almost documentary-esque. Thankfully, Abu-Assad handles the film gracefully and unbiased, presenting the very real terrors endured by either side.

Omar then becomes a film that allows anyone, including audiences, to “believe the unbelievable”, even if the final ending feels forced, and completely unexpected. Perhaps, that’s the point though. Like any good hunter, the best way to lure one’s prey, is to entice them with the promise of nourishment (in our case knowledge) without consequence. Omar teases us with this, and then quickly rips it away, giving us only confusion and questions unanswered. Only few things remain once the screen fades to black, and one of them is the reality of the people living through hardship and the far-fetched promise of change. The other promise Omar leaves us with is the promise of the power of love–whether that love be the love of a woman, the love of family, the power and love of friendship or love of country, the choice is up to you.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
MovieReviewsMar 22, 2014
"Omar" has one of the most believable performances I've ever seen on the big screen. The whole story is breathtaking, the cinematography, being able to catch with the hit and run scenes is terrific. Everything in this film is beautifully"Omar" has one of the most believable performances I've ever seen on the big screen. The whole story is breathtaking, the cinematography, being able to catch with the hit and run scenes is terrific. Everything in this film is beautifully crafted, although it is not a perfect movie, it is near one, it is a charming love story, thus I highly recommend it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
kathytreeceMay 30, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Too much violence for me, but, no doubt, this is how it is in the Middle East. Adam Bakri is well cast in the lead-male roll. There was a lot of sadness and a little bit of happiness / romance. Very fast moving plot.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
alejandro970Jun 12, 2022
El añejo conflicto de Medio Oriente narrado de un modo natural, sin prejuicios, en el que se nota que sus personajes son afectados por igual manera, sin posibilidades de una salida fácil y justa, con un final tal vez no esperado pero cataclismico.
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