The Band’s Visit
Composite Score: 81.73
Starring: Sasson Gabay, Ronit Elkabetz, Saleh Bakri, Khalifa Natour, Rubi Moskowitz, Uri Gavriel, Hilla Sarjon, Shlomi Avraham, and Rinat Matatov
Director: Eran Kolirin
Writer: Eran Kolirin
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language
Box Office: $14.59 million worldwide
Why should you Watch This Film?
The Band’s Visit is an Egyptian/Israeli comedy that plays like a combination of Napoleon Dynamite and nothing else that I have ever seen. It depicts the story of an Egyptian police band that comes to Israel to play a concert but ends up, through a series of miscommunications, forced to spend the night in a small town. Throughout their night in Beit Hatikva, the different band members get to know the people of the town and also a little more about themselves through a series of short, interconnected scenes that are equal parts comedic and dramatic, bringing home some truths about life to its audience in the process.
Why shouldn’t you Watch This Film?
If deadpan comedy in vaguely unrelatable situations is not your cup of tea, The Band’s Visit might not be one for you. Its comedic and dramatic value comes from awkward situations and scenes of discomfort that bring out the honesty in its characters. Its humor is aggressively deadpan, expecting the audience to laugh because of the ridiculousness of the situations and the wild hijinks they get up to at the same time. If big jokes and pratfalls are more your brand of comedy, they are hard to come by in this film, not necessarily to its detriment, but potentially to the tune of fewer audiences.
So wait, why should you Watch This Film?
This is one of the most original comedies that I have ever witnessed. The Band’s Visit plays on the tension of the Israeli-Egyptian conflict, societal expectations of Jewish, Muslim, and Arab cultures, and the natural awkwardness of all humans in new situations to craft its own brand of comedy that never feels overtly political or bigoted or uncomfortable with itself. I mentioned before that at times it feels like Napoleon Dynamite, and I mean that as an absolute compliment! The way that each scene ties into the overarching narrative while also standing alone as independent comedy sketches of their own is reminiscent of the humor of Jared Hess’s high school comedy of a few years prior.
The film’s dramatic and romantic moments provide the heart that make the film as great as it is. The stories of parents struggling with evolving life, either due to new children or lost children, draws in that demographic with honesty and heart, bringing emotion and depth to the characters in those situations. The potential for romance in its various forms being present in certain of the film’s many situations adds another level of drama and buy-in for audiences. The young Haled’s pursuit of any woman that he can impress with a little bit of singing played against the elder Tawfiq’s reluctance to put himself out there as an older single man creates a relatable contrast that also spurs both characters to growth. Haled’s “success” with the ladies gives him the opportunity to mature and become a mentor to the young and inexperienced Papi. Tawfiq’s lack of romantic pursuits allows him to have deeper conversation with his host Dina and create a friendship that is more than just romantic.
The Band’s Visit’s unique blend of comedy, family drama, and romance creates an exceptional film, worthy of its place among the Greats, and worth watching for its messages about life and relationships and the potential for connection that exists between all people. While the film’s brand of humor might not be the most universally beloved, it remains a film that should be on more people’s radars and should be watched by most film lovers.
