Directed by:
Brian GilbertScreenplay:
David W. RintelsCinematography:
Peter HannanComposer:
Jerry GoldsmithCast:
Sally Field, Alfred Molina, Sheila Rosenthal, Roshan Seth, Sarah Badel, Georges Corraface, Mary Nell Santacroce, Ed Grady, Marc Gowan, Bruce Evers (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Betty has come to the Middle East with her daughter and native-born husband(Alfred Molina, Spider-Man 2, Species) for a visit with his family. But soon the horrible truth about their vacation surfaces. Betty's husband doesn't intend to bring his family back to America...ever. She may return, he says, but their daughter must stay. And he has centuries of local custom and the oppressive might of a police state behind him. As a stranger in a foreign land, Betty has no money, no friends and no rights. But she does have an unconquerable will. In a hostile, war-torn country, where even the slightest misstep can mean death, she makes a desperate bid to escape with her child. Her story, her courage and her ultimate triumph are unforgettable. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (1)
The main strength of the film is its strong, emotionally charged story, which has the potential to captivate especially female audiences - and, of course, me, an incurable softie. Accusations of emotional manipulation are not warranted this time, as the screenplay faithfully reflects the book it’s based on, which in turn portrays the cultural chasm between Western modernity and a society shaped by Islamic law - Sharia - and local traditions. In that world, children after a parental separation automatically belong to the father. The depicted story is not exceptional; it reflects the experiences of many women who married into areas governed by conservative Islamic ideology. The film's execution and acting performances are standard, thus not exceeding the average. Overall impression: 70%.
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