I stuck with this movie, even though I found Chloe's indecision and helplessness annoying at times -- I guess she was supposed to symbolize the idea that both sides in the conflict are equally deserving of our compassion and understanding, and I don't feel this way at all. The Palestinians have been an occupied, oppressed people for generations, and Israel is ethnically cleansing them in an attempt to take over all of historic Palestine...The main reason I'm writing this review, however, is confusion about the ending (here comes the spoiler...): the film makes it look as though Chloe has smuggled something in a black bag (like a bomb) into Israel. It looked like she left it on the bus, and I started waiting for an explosion. Then it turns out that Rand's the suicide bomber, apparently having masqueraded as an Israeli, even down to wearing the same navy blue nail polish as Ava. It must be easier than I thought to get through the checkpoints...And why make it look like Chloe's got a bomb? Are we supposed to believe that she was tempted to commit a violent act to show solidarity with Rand's family? Probably not, as the cute little Jewish boy who clearly was killed by Rand's bomb is a happy, healthy stand-in for Rand's pathetically sweet son Safi. Thus, all violence is equally horrific and wrong -- again equating the two sides, which is wrong -- they're totally disproportionate, with the bulk of the suffering on the Palestinian side. Two final questions: what kind of an Arabic name is "Rand," and was Chloe supposed to be having a sexual relationship with Rand (and Ava)? Watch Evelyn Brochu in "Orphan Black" (Canadian TV series) -- I like her as an actress. Am just criticizing the writing of this movie.
Review of Inch'Allah
