Religious

Paradise Now Movie Review

Alex Urso

REL 1103-002

Paradise Now, a fictional film that follows two childhood friends on their journey as Palestinian suicide bombers, is a drama that has the power to alter the views on Arab-Israeli conflict, life under military occupation and terrorism in general, of the people watching. The two main characters, Said and Khaled, garage mechanics and longtime childhood friends. The story line follows them on their journey of preparation, problems and self-evaluations as they endure this decision of a lifetime. The setting of this movie perfectly illustrates the scenery and events that it should of. It describes somewhat of a quietly chaotic setting that adds to the suspense and events occurring. The plot of the movie provides a twisted, incredible view on what suicide bombing is to those who are fulfilling this destiny.

In the film, a female role named Shua has an argument with Khaled about what she believes is wrong about what they are doing. As Khaled says that they can not live as equals so they must die as equals Shua argues by saying if people can kill and die for equality then there should be some way the world can find away to live in equality. As Khaled believes that his actions as a suicide bomber are considered a sacrifice, Shua argues that the actions are nothing but revenge and that somehow they should learn to live as equals rather than die for equality. This part of the film is a part that truly has the ability to transform the minds of people who do not know much about the subject of suicide bombings and of people who think they know everything about it. It provides a look inside the mind of someone who is going through with this unbelievable mission. The film does an amazing job at providing these two outlooks of the character to really showcase that people believe this is their destiny to fulfill and that people believe this is the lowest point of revenge.

Finally at the end of the film the time comes where the...