The Attack

The Attack is a film that takes place in Israel, where nearly every movie being made today deals with the Palestinian-Israeli disconnect.  This film is no exception.

The couple above seem happy enough.  They should.  Having grown up in Nablus, a town taken by Israel in the 1967 War, the two Arabs emerged from poor surroundings and became beautiful people:  he's a prominent surgeon practicing in Tel Aviv, living in a fantastic home, and receiving awards for his work;  and she's, well, just beautiful.

Then the unthinkable happens.  There's an explosion.  A terrorist suicide bomber attacks a restaurant.  There are 17 dead.  Many are maimed.  The surgeon tries to save as many as he can.  After all, that's his profession.

Someone special dies.

No spoiler, of course.  But as the film unfolds, we learn about how hopeless peace still seems amid those who hate and kill.   We get glimpses of life in Israel and the Arab cities.  We get to know players in a very sordid war.

Here's a plus:  The film does not take sides.  Both Arab and Jew appear bigoted and flawed.  No one comes out looking like a winner.

Is the film good?  Sort of.  Well, maybe not.

Parts of it grab the viewer.  Other parts put the viewer to sleep.  The flick is more educational than entertaining.  We never really get to know the characters, because there is no true character development.  We never get too deeply emerged in the plot, because it's superficial.  We never feel tense, because there is no tension.

Yet, the film cloys.  It hangs onto you.  The images stay in your mind.  You end up thinking about the movie long after you've seen it.

Grade of B.  Unless you are intrigued by the Arab-Israel conflict, you may not find this film so interesting.

On the other hand....

OK, give it a go.  You might like it.