THE INFIDEL (UK 2010) ***
Directed by Josh Appignanesi

Touted as a well meaning comedy which brings together different races, religions or cultures, THE INFIDEL undertakes quite the task.  The term infidel is an old word used as an insult for someone who has a different religious belief.

In the movie, THE INFIDEL, Mahmud Nasir (Omid Djalili), loving husband, doting father and something of a relaxed Muslim finds his birth certificate which reveals that not only was he adopted at birth but hes Jewish, and his real name is Solly (short for Solomon) Shimshillewitz!  As Mahmud tumbles headlong into a full scale identity crisis, the only person he can turn to is LENNY (Richard Schiff), a drunken Jewish cabbie who agrees to give him lessons in Jewishness, which start with how to dance like Topolin FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Oy vey!

The script by TV writer David Baddiel ties in family problems with Mahmud’s identity crisis.  Here, he needs to satisfy his son’s need to marry the daughter of a Muslin fundamentalist.  His dilemma causes him to lie to his wife who dishes him for his dishonesty.  But these are in reality, minor problems considering what Mahmud has to go through. A subplot involves him trying to see his dying Jewish father, but prevented from doing so by a rather strict Rabbi (a not that funny Matt Lucas from Little Britain).

THE INFIDEL is all right funny with sufficient laugh-out loud moments.  Most of these are delivered by comedian Omid Djalili) who manages to create a sympathetic role rather than one of an annoyance.  Whether cursing, distracted or arrested, the audience always sides with him.  The comic set pieces offered by the script are standard and ends with Mahmud, obviously making good with his wife and son again.

THE INFIDEL is careful not to offend.  Most of the off-colour religious jokes concern Nasir trying to act Jewish.  These acts are funny enough, just as the gay couple in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES learning how to act straight.

THE INFIDEL turns out to be ok entertainment but don’t expect it to send any major messages to convert any racists to change their ways.