The Band's Visit
Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: February 8, 2008
8.1
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 33 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
30
Mixed:
1
Negative:
2
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
blairalanSep 17, 2010
I just watched this movie a second time. It is a parable of such aching beauty. Every move is so carefully and subtly played out, at once humble and downplayed, at the same time sublime and uplifting. I'm a fan of minimalism for example, ofI just watched this movie a second time. It is a parable of such aching beauty. Every move is so carefully and subtly played out, at once humble and downplayed, at the same time sublime and uplifting. I'm a fan of minimalism for example, of the styles of musician Arvo Part or artist Marc Rothko. This film reflects this tradition, with the simplest of pauses, moments, glances or gestures, communicating from the depths of the soul.… Expand
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10
PatrickT.Mar 4, 2008
You may not have a more thoroughly enjoyable time at the movies this year. Stark yet sumptuous in its implications. Sweet yet devastatingly sad. An immensely pleasurable exercise in contrast and plurality.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
jsFeb 16, 2008
The antithesis of Hollywood film product: well played, well scripted and well filmed. The critics' average score is not a fair measure of the humanity so deftly captured in this work.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JayH.Jul 23, 2008
Outstanding film, wonderfully directed, superbly acted. Touching, very well written and always interesting. Good score, excellent character development. A winner.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
PaulK.Mar 31, 2008
The pace is somewhat slow, but if you can get past that minor hurdle, this is quite a nice film. Donna C. described it as charming, although I normally don't use the word, it pretty much sums this film up. A simple story, told in a The pace is somewhat slow, but if you can get past that minor hurdle, this is quite a nice film. Donna C. described it as charming, although I normally don't use the word, it pretty much sums this film up. A simple story, told in a straight forward manner, 'The Band's Visit' is breath of fresh air. Check it out.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
KhanM.Jul 13, 2008
One of the finest examples of film aesthetics. One can never be bored or tired of watching this beautifully made movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
DonnaC.Mar 15, 2008
Charming, but so slow it was tedious.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
ChadS.Aug 12, 2008
All dressed up and nowhere to go, the Egyptian Invasion of Israel gets off to an ignominious start when The Alexandria Police Ceremonial Orchestra find themselves in the wrong town, the wrong Bet Hatkiva. This Bet Hatkiva is practically a All dressed up and nowhere to go, the Egyptian Invasion of Israel gets off to an ignominious start when The Alexandria Police Ceremonial Orchestra find themselves in the wrong town, the wrong Bet Hatkiva. This Bet Hatkiva is practically a ghost town, whose chosen people, choose to live by the tenets of minimalism. In spite of the orchestra's extended layover, these stoic musicians remain in their formal blue uniforms, which grows increasingly hilarious as they clash repeatedly with the drab interiors and exteriors of the town. The band is like some straight-laced person's acid flashback. The clash of egos between Tewfiq(Sasson Gabai) and Simon(Khalifa Natour), and the filmmaker's absurdest sensibilities, results in a film that suggests "This is Spinal Tap" by Beckett. Tewfiq and Dina(Ronit Elkabetz) sit on a "park" bench, waiting, not for Godot, but for love to arrive. Unfortunately, Dina makes an offhanded comment about Arab men which rankles the lieutenant-colonel; so natural, is the buried expression, like breathing, does her deal-breaking words of racial stereotyping, suddenly politicize their sitting and talking, once mired with great expectations for love. Alas, God rears its ugly head. Wistful, but never gloomy(like the "gloomy girl", a possible nod to Aki Kaurismaki's "Leningrad Cowboys Go America"), "The Band's Visit" shares the same comic touch for miniature emotions as the Finnish master of the subtle ha-ha.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
lasttimeisawJun 24, 2014
Out of the context of Egypt and Israel’s historical feud, this succinct awards-winning film (87 minutes) debut from Eran Kolirin may seem to be a prosaic essay about an unfulfilled romance with a few light touches on the quotidian lives in aOut of the context of Egypt and Israel’s historical feud, this succinct awards-winning film (87 minutes) debut from Eran Kolirin may seem to be a prosaic essay about an unfulfilled romance with a few light touches on the quotidian lives in a rural Israeli town through the eyes of a band composed of members of the Egyptian Police Force from Alexandria, who are invited for a cultural event in Petah Tiqva.

read rest of my review on my blog, please google cinema omnivore, thanks… Expand
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