I love immigrant movies. Each tells a similar story: the newcomers to America usually find disappointment and discomfort before they discover happiness.
Amreeka is a fine addition to the genre. It tells the story of a divorced mother and her son, who make their way from Bethlehem to a small town in Illinois.
I can't give away much more, but I can say that the first part of the film, life in the Israeli occupied territory, is revealing. Life is tough for Arabs who struggle to make ends meet amidst the terrible political tensions of Israeli/Arab issues.
When the plot moves to Illinois, the protagonist, who used to work in a bank in the mideast, can only get a job in a fast-food restaurant. Her pride keeps her from revealing her real job to her in-laws, with whom she lives. And amidst this embarrassment, her son is becoming Americanized!
For once, the actors are not "beautiful" people, as they so often are in Hollywood flicks. They are overweight, not particularly attractive, and certainly not very successful. Yet they win our hearts.
Grade of A: As the "New-to-America" genre goes, this film is top-notch.
When this film came out, it was here for such a short time, around December. I was anxious to encourage my cultural diversity students to go see it - well, I didn't even have time myself before it was gone! So thanks for the reminder. I'll watch it.
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