The Insult-2017
Director Ziad Doueiri
Starring Adel Karam, Kamel El Basha
Scott’s Review #815
Reviewed October 1, 2018
Grade: B
A Lebanese film nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy award, The Insult (2017) offers its audience what I would categorize as a message film.
A battle of cultures and religions leads to chaos and controversy, culminating in an embattled court case as we also get to know supporting characters.
While the film is above average, it is also too glossy and sometimes plays out more like a television series- with dramatic effects and plot developments for miles.
Still, the film is a worthy watch.
The main character, Tony Hanna (Adel Karam), lives with his pregnant wife, Shirine, in a small Lebanese village. Tony works as an automobile mechanic but is a proud member of the Christian community, attending rallies and events.
His village employs Palestinian refugees to perform maintenance repairs, which irritates Tony. When a verbal altercation with middle-aged refugee Yasser (Kamel El Basha) occurs over a broken gutter, a failed apology results in physical violence as the situation rapidly escalates.
The courtroom drama, while compelling, seems a very familiar story.
Other recent foreign-language films, such as A Separation (2011) and Gett: The Trial of Vivian Amsalem (2014), use similar plot devices of family conflict that end up in the courtroom.
Those films are better written and feel more authentic and raw than The Insult. Throughout the film, I kept telling myself I was not watching a Middle Eastern version of Law & Order, but that is what it felt like.
I felt little sympathy for Tony, and I was unsure if we were supposed to feel anything for him. With his brooding nature and populist attitude, he is initially written as downright unlikeable.
I assume the intent was to soften the character over the film’s length when he briefly comes to Yasser’s aid and helps start the man’s car. However, Tony soon reverts to his original stubborn nature.
Yasser is a much more likable fellow, albeit with a temper. Hurling curse words at Tony is why the tension between the two men begins in the first place, and attempted apologies only lead to miscommunication between everyone.
But Yasser gets my vote for the most compassionate character.
In the supporting roles, an interesting (though perhaps not completely necessary) side story exists as the embattled lawyers are revealed to be father and daughter.
The major problem with The Insult is that the entire story seems plot-driven, and each step is created to create a way to build or add tension.
For example, a speeding motorcycle angrily side-swipes Tony and his wife. The partners are then in peril because their daughter is born prematurely due to stress.
Situations and tensions could have been quickly resolved or smoothed under different circumstances. Therefore, despite some good drama, the tone of the films feels less than authentic and manipulative.
Still, the writing team introduces the audience to the turbulent world of Middle Eastern politics in a way that undoubtedly results in thought-provoking views and exposure to opposing ideas.
The film also provides a distinct hopeful slant at the conclusion to avoid sending a dour message. The direction is that people can come together as one peaceful group, but it will not be easy.
The Insult (2017) is not a bad watch. It compels the viewer to witness a fascinating story of differing cultures and warring religious beliefs churning two men inside out when faced with conflict.
The film also does a fine job of emitting a peaceful message of coming together as human beings.
An overall rating of “B” is a nice score. Still, given the dozens of potential Best Foreign Language finalists, I am not sure the film entirely “cuts the mustard” for me- indeed, there were superior entries.
But then, this Oscar category’s nominating process has always been a mystery.
Oscar Nominations: Best Foreign Language Film
