Paradise Now (2005)

Overall Rating From 1 to 100: 51

Directed by Hany Abu-Assad
Kais Nashif / Ali Suliman / Lubna Azabal
91 min. Drama
MPAA: PG-13 (for mature thematic material and brief strong language)

Review by Jason Pyles / April 11, 2007

As I turned on my computer, this very morning, the headline on my default news page was “14 Killed in Iraqi Suicide Bombing.” We Americans read such headlines — almost daily — and wonder ‘Why would anyone ever do that?’

“Paradise Now” is an Arabic film that addresses that exact question. The strength of this movie is that it doesn’t demonize the bombers; it portrays them as real people with real lives — just like us.

While watching “United 93” (2006), I remember that the movie confounded me when I realized that even the terrorists of September 11 were not literal monsters; they were doing what they thought was right, according to their beliefs.

I’m not a sympathizer with terrorists, of course. September 11 makes me angry to this day. But I think it’s imperative for us to remember that there’s always another side of the story, even if we disagree. I doubt if anyone ever thinks, ‘I know I’m evil — and completely wrong — but I’m going to do this anyway.’

Said (Kais Nashif) and Khaled (Ali Suliman) have been friends for a long time. They grew up together. We immediately get the sense that their lives aren’t that much different from ours. They have jobs where they deal with jerky customers and an unfriendly boss. They like to relax to music. They notice a pretty girl and wonder if she returns the sentiment. They pose for professional photography and have trouble smiling naturally.

But one day, it is time. A “mission call,” of sorts, comes for the two of them. Said and Khaled are commissioned to be suicide bombers together in Tel Aviv. Tomorrow, they will blow themselves up while surrounded by as many Israeli military occupants as possible, and they will die as martyrs.

“Paradise Now” isn’t so much about carrying out the mission itself, as it is about how the two young bombers feel about it. It’s stifling to know exactly how and when you’re going to die.

“Paradise Now” sometimes feels like a documentary in its realism. The dialogue is spoken in Arabic, with English subtitles.

But “Paradise Now” doesn’t stay true to its initial, brilliant premise. It badly veers off course, making some unexpected turns that seem to “sell out” for dramatic effect. Worse yet, I felt gypped by the ending. In addition to these unworthy sacrifices by the filmmakers, the movie is slow and probably not a good rental choice for most people — unless you’re particularly curious about suicide bombers.

O Masterpiece (95-100)
O Excellent (75-94)
O Good video rental (60-74)
X Merely OK (50-59)
O Pure mediocrity (30-49)
O Medusa: don’t watch (1-29)

Copyright 2007.
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