Several of the negative comments about this film were so blind. This movie is about American culture and makes you think about big questions that nag us -- why do Americans respond to a crisis by hating others? I was alive and conscious during the events of 1979, I have known Iranians as college acquaintances and friends, and the use of footage in the movie is very effective at evoking memories of that time. Thinking about the racism against Iranians during that time and then thinking about how too many Americans reacted to the events of September 11, the march to a stupid war in Iraq, etc., etc., makes it clear once again that we Americans need to do some deep soul searching. Watch this movie and think about it -- don't try to act like some film critic or reviewer. Interestingly, on the surface this movie is about Iranians, but in fact I found that it was about American culture.
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john111111john11111128 December 2004
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The year is 1979. There are lines at the gas stations and a revolution in Iran. As the film opens, we see archival news footage from the latter story as the soundtrack plays "Good Times Roll" by The Cars. We meet Maryam (Mariam Parris), who is a high school senior in New Jersey. She was born in Iran, but knows almost nothing of that culture. She is the anchor for the school television news program, goes by the name Mary at school, and generally seems comfortable in her life, although her parents are a little more strict than most.
Soon she learns that her cousin Ali (David Ackert) is coming from Iran to live with the family and attend a local university. Ali's father died years ago, and his mother recently died as well. When he arrives, he seems very uncomfortable with American life -- people (even women!) shake hands, dance, and do all sorts of things that Ali is used to thinking of as immoral in his native, Ayatollah Khomeini-controlled country. Ali thinks the Ayatollah has been a *good* change for Iran, and that the deposed Shah is evil. Maryam's reply is that the Ayatollah "calls the U.S. the Great Satan. I mean, the guy could lighten up a little."
The key characters in the film are Maryam and Ali. I thought Parris was outstanding in the former role, showing both emotion and typical high school irreverence with equal skill. Ackert was harder to judge, but he did make me believe that Ali was *very* uncomfortable with most of what he saw of America, and I can't recall any sour notes in his performance, so it was at least acceptable. The remaining actors, especially Maryam's parents, were less developed but also quite believable.
The writing, direction, cinematography, and so on were also quite good, but what really sets this film apart is the way that it shows how hateful and intolerant American society can be. Especially after the American embassy hostages are taken, almost everyone becomes very cold to the entire family -- the militant Islamic Ali as well as the totally Americanized Maryam -- regardless of past friendships. Because we have had the opportunity to get to know these Iranians as human beings, the escalating hatred is that much harder to watch.
This film was made well before the events of 9/11, so the obvious parallels to the current distrust of anyone who looks like he might be Afghani were not planned. But this film is outstanding in its ability to remind us to see the person and not the label. See it if you have the chance. Unfortunately, it has closed where I saw it, so you might be forced to wait (and hope) for home video.
Seen on 6/19/2002. -
jmverville9 December 2004This was a film characterized by being there, by being interesting, and by holding your attention -- but giving you false expectations of anything more. Overall, the film was a decent watch, but it left something lacking and something a bit unfulfilling in you.
This film's story has great potential, and from the beginning you could see it building up (in spite of often mediocre acting & filming reminiscent of bad 'made-for-TV movies') but in the end the story does not get anywhere near as provocative or startling as it could be. There are, of course, worthwhile moments as in any film that tackles similar issues, but it was not done in a way that makes one think or be moved by whats' going on; it does it very matter-of-factly and often seemingly without the proper emotions running high. It seems very anticlimactic at moments, and very cold. It is like the firework that makes the big bang but the streams of color are just not there.
Throughout the entirety of the film I am awaiting for an explosion of shock & intrigue, a moment of cinema excellence to rear its' head and enrapture me and devour my senses, but in the end you do not get this: you get a mere solid story that slowly progresses, has very small climactic points, and leaves you slightly disappointed.
It is a decent slice of life film, and it is true in its' portrayals and good effort is put into it by Ramin Serry. I must say that I was pleased with much of the film, and that it was in fact a decent watch, but it certainly was not anything that truly grabs or moves you. And so as a result I can only say that it is a film that is an easy, light watch, and that if you should see it, not to expect anything big or amazing as one might expect. Rather, it is what it is, and what it is is nothing amazing. -
drice129 March 2002To begin with, this is not a documentary about SAVAK or the Shah's regime, and, after September 11th, you don't have to be an expert on Iran to get what is going on in the movie. It is about a lot of things: growing up different, being an American child of immigrants (we get that here in Miami), friendship and how quickly it disappears, family and the clash of cultures to name just a few. Mariam Parris gives a terrific performance, and the director does a lot with a small budget. However, what you will definitely remember most is the fundamentalist cousin from Iran, his fanaticism and how completely out of place he feels in the US. I happened to see it in Fort Lauderdale after September 11th, and the film hit a nerve with everyone who saw it, including the director, who was seeing it in a new light for the first time since 9/11. Ebert was right...take the time to see it.
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This was a very odd viewing experience that vacillated between an absolutely compelling tale and a contrived after-school special. Some horrible acting by the lesser parts (the other high schoolers, the gun dealer) would clash with some tremendous acting by the leads.
I think this may be a by-product of the ancient curse and blessing that comes with "based on a true story." Evidently some of the emotional resonance comes from director Ramin Serry's own travails and travels. Strangled by yellow ribbons?
His own history likely put the real in the relationship between maiden Maryam with her Mom and Dad. The play of boundaries between them, both as child/parents and American/immigrant provide this film with its best moments. Even ninth generation Americans see their folks as aliens...
Meanwhile, despite David Ackert's fine work, his character of Ali is doomed by his eventual actions. The most outlandish of which, according to the commentary, is something that actually sort of happened. Yes, truth is stranger than fiction; but it is not as often as telling.
That outlandish act revolves around a political crisis, but this film when it succeeds (which was often for me) does so when it strives to avoid the political, for the personal. The interaction of Maryam and her cousin are more effective than a thousand placards. There's a great scene wherein Maryam, on the defensive to Ali, strikes back by questioning the depth of his devotion for such a recent convert.
Wethinks he doth protest too much....which ties to...
The character of Ali's dad, that was fascinating to me. Though he's not really portrayed much more than a stunt man's fall, how that character is delineated by others made me hungry to hear or see more. Also how could you not adore Shohreh Aghdashloo as Maryam's mother...I suspect in nearly every house, in every country, it is mothers such as her character here that hold every thing together.
When this film screams for common sense, she delivers it. And I think in watching this, and the world at large, accenting that which is common and sensible is what we all want.
Despite its flaws, I enjoyed this film and hope others will as well. As much as I detest TV, America sorely needs a Persian version of the Huxtables (hopefully with the sitcom written by Firoozeh Dumas who wrote the uncommonly hilarious yet heartfelt book, "Funny in Farsi").
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=G=6 September 2003"Maryam" is all about the title character, an Iranian-American New Jersey teen (Parris), and her family who, in 1979 during the Iranian hostage crisis, inherit Ali (Ackert), a relative from Iran and pro-Ayatollah/anti-Shah college student, who resurrects some painful family issues while everyone suffers from the anti-Iranian sentiments of the time. The story has solid dramatic potential much of which goes unrealized as this highly sanitized indie plays out like Ozzie and Harriet having a really bad day. Among the highlights of the film are a gun actually being fired (one shot), someone saying the F-word, one kiss, a scuffle, a car being trashed, etc. Not for the jaded, not for realists, and not for serious film buffs, "Maryam" may play well for sentimentalists who can buy into anything at the drop of a Kleenex. (C+)
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scarroll29 April 2001This film was simply fantastic and my favorite from Roger Ebert's 3rd Annual Overlooked Film Fest. The girl who plays Maryam gives an incredible performance and i can't say enough good things about the script. It was an excellent tale about what it was like to be a regular American teen who happened to be of Iranian descent during the hostage crisis in '79. This film manages to be poignant and thought-provoking about race relations in America without beating the audience over the head with the "SpikeLee Stick". good and good for you.
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spkenney12 August 2003Subtle and brilliant piece no more timely than now! The actress who played Maryam is quite good. She needs more opportunities to shine for she is truly talented. What will Ramin Serry do next? His "sophmore" movie will be hard pressed to top this one!
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rex-1025 July 2002This film is so relevant to today. It is sad to see that similar hatred has erupted in 2001 as in 1979. These are issues facing American society and the discourse of race/ethnicity. How Maryam negotiates the already challenging world of high school cliques and competitiveness is complicated by her heritage. She sees herself as a typical American girl, but with the Iranian hostage crisis that world quickly burns away... This movie should be made available to schools and should have the professors and teachers engage their classes in discussion on "otherness".
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I have seen this film and I cannot believe that anyone would think this "after-school special" blownup to 35mm is "the best film about race in a long time." The filmmaking is so conventional and base -- and simply not credible at times. But on top of all of that, its one dimensional characters only reinforce negative stereotypes about Iranians (and Muslims). In fact, this film is so politically naive that only those who know virtually nothing about Iranian history (i.e. Mr. Ebert) and the US' part in post-colonial Iran would find it interesting or "looked over." I hope that Mr. Serry does more research before embarking on his next project because just being descended from Iranian parents does not mean you have the insight(or the right to delve) into such complex issues such as the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Hostage Crisis, SAVAK, etc.
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beyondtheinfinite4 March 2002I also think this movie was fantastic. It was a good blend between a sweet coming-of-age story and an intriguing political/historical drama. Well thought out depiction of the complexities of the time; each character isn't perfect and makes you think. One may find it didn't go far enough in its message, but at least it poses a great many questions which are as applicable today as they were in '79.
Save room for after-the-movie discussions... -
davidals3 March 2004Very disappointing - this could've been great. The story itself had enormous potential - but at every point where subtlety is called for, the director instead opted to go over the top. The key characters are carefully introduced early on, and - where the audience should have been allowed to gradually get to know them, and learn about them in a somewhat life-like fashion - we are instead told (usually visually, through very slightly exaggerated gestures and mannerisms), in a very didactic fashion, their strengths and flaws immediately. This isn't bad acting - it's talented actors being directed poorly, and I thought it did a disservice to a great story.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
One major gripe: the cultural misunderstanding between Maryam and Ali - established early on - was a bit unreal to me: though Maryam's family was thoroughly Americanized, it would've been discussed before Ali's arrival that he would have to make huge adjustments to a new home, and that some semblance of respect and patience would be necessitated. I can't imagine a family going so blindly into such a situation, and expecting things to smoothly work themselves out.
To me, the real heart of the story was the bigotry the family experienced in the wake of the Embassy hostage-taking. The directors' inclusion of news footage was a good move, though a bit overused, in introducing this element.
The handling of Ali is yet another issue - a provocative character, a great departure point for an honest exploration of how American culture is viewed by the rest of the world, and what it does to an immigrant's sense of identity. The contrast between scenes of Ali praying, and the Armin family's secularism should've been the departure point for an examination of the value of hanging onto minority traditions, or the occasional pragmatic necessity of modifying or abandoning them. Instead, he seemed like a cartoon character - nothing but exaggerated accents, shrugs, and stares. The Ali-centric plot contrivances during the last 3rd of the film really took this dangerously close to movie-of-the week territory.
Ultimately I feel so critical of this film because I think this story is very intensely relevant today, and the seeds of a masterpiece of both cinema and human observation are to be found here. But I also feel that there is so much here that should've been explored in greater detail, and the subject matter deserves something great. -
jmatrixrenegade31 August 2004I was too young while the events portrayed in the film were going on to truly experience them. So I view it at somewhat a disadvantage as history, but this isn't too bad -- a primary audience for this film should be teens, who clearly are in even worse of a situation than I.
It is not considered best to respond to comments, but I think I can voice my thoughts in answer to some of them. I too thought some of the supporting characters were badly played -- actually, what the film lacked were truly three dimensional non-Iranian characters. This is troubling. The potential b/f is portrayed as a bit of a boob and even the teacher isn't much help. The neighbors are a bit better, especially the wife in a couple scenes, but this is clearly a problem in the film.
I too felt that the film was sort of an extended Afternoon Special ... it shows my age that I remember them! All the same, it was a pretty good one with good acting by the leads, and some good situations. Given the paucity of good teenage drama in the theaters these days, Afternoon Specials actually look pretty good.
Let's remember this is the director's first film and a low budget one at that. This doesn't justify all of the films weaker components, but it helps understand them. Also, not only does the culture clash advance the plot, it very well might have been true that the family discussed how the cousin has different beliefs etc. Mary could very well have mostly ignored such "boring" discussions and the father might not have wanted to overdo it. Also, Ali's beliefs were rather new ... the father might have recalled him as more middle of the road.
As to historical accuracy. This is amusing -- the director based some of the film on his own experiences. I also don't know what was not historical accurate in the film. As to the lack of violence or truly harsh discrimination, the director in the commentary said he chose that route purposely so as not to make the film too harsh -- he wanted to focus on the emotions of the characters.
The lack of three dimensional non-Iranians aside, I thought it was a good film that showed a particular "growing up" moment for a teenage girl. The dad also impressed, a sort of everyman, that shows himself much more impressive than he first seems.
A good first effort ... with the expected flaws of a first film. -
gillian5025 November 2003I worked on this film in the fall of 1998 when I was doing acting in NY. It was shot in NJ at an actual high school, and the main actors were wonderful. The lead actress really is named Maryam, and her performance is so much more relevant today than 5 years ago...this should really be re-released and get some attention again, it kind of slipped under the radar the first time around.