The Band's Visit Review

A tender human drama
I went to this little film without knowing anything about it, just wanting to support foreign films at my local theater.  The premise is pretty simple:  an Egyptian symphonic band gets invited to Israel on a cultural exchange program, but when they arrive, no one meets them, there is a language barrier and the band gets lost. 

They turn up in a small village nowhere near their destination and are befriended by an odd assortment of locals.  What enfolds is the sweetest kind of human drama, in which each of a handful of quiet storylines slowly reveals one or more little truths, giving us insight into the characters, as well as the human condition. 

The lead roles are particularly well acted, and if you can forgive the premise of the set-up, which is quickly proven false as the movie progresses, you'll have yourself a lovely little evening.  But be forewarned:  not much happens in this film.  After a long day of trials and tribulations in the real world, a film like that suits me just fine.

The Bottom Line:  Libby Likes it