Amreeka (2009)

87% of critics liked it
(69 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(2,873 ratings)

A Palestinian single mother and her son resettle in the American Midwest with bittersweet results, in first-time director Cherien Dabis' gentle fish-out-of-water comedy drama Amreeka. Nisreen Faour stars as divorcée Mouna, a resident of the West Bank who works as a local bank manager while raising… More A Palestinian single mother and her son resettle in the American Midwest with bittersweet results, in first-time director Cherien Dabis' gentle fish-out-of-water comedy drama Amreeka. Nisreen Faour stars as divorcée Mouna, a resident of the West Bank who works as a local bank manager while raising her 16-year-old son, Fadi (Melkar Muallem), on the side. Each day, the two must put their lives in jeopardy by driving through potentially lethal Middle Eastern checkpoints to accomplish their daily business, but their situation changes dramatically when Mouna finally succeeds at getting a green card. The two fly from Jerusalem to Chicago, but get a bitter taste of the reality behind the American dream when the customs department claims the money that Mouna wrapped in a cookie tin, leaving her penniless. The nascent immigrants promptly move in with Mouna's sister, Raghda (Hiam Abbass of Lemon Tree), and her family, and Mouna sets about trying to find a bank job in the U.S. that is equivalent to her old position at home; unfortunately, this proves impossible and she ends up serving "sliders" at a White Castle fast food franchise and earning minimum wage. Meanwhile, Fadi begins attending a local high school and runs headfirst into not-so-subtle racism and the imminent threat of nativistic violence. ~ Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Cherien Dabis
Written By: Cherien Dabis
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Sep 4, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Jan 12, 2010
Studio: National Geographic

Critic Reviews

Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader
Writer-director Cherien Dabis too easily resolves or dismisses the characters' problems, making way for an upbeat ending.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
A feel-good comedy about a Palestinian mother who moves to rural Illinois with her teenaged son, Amreeka is a kind of stealth political film that confronts issues of ethnic tension and American xenophobia.
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star
Amreeka makes its points with gentle humour and engaging performances -- especially Faour, who makes Muna so likeable it's impossible not to cross your fingers and hope her luck is about to change.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Director Cherien Dabis' debut feature is a surprising, humorous, moving and very human story about a Palestinian family's emigration to Illinois on the eve of the Iraq war.
Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic
A good-hearted film about the resilience of the human spirit.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
The immigrant experience gets a fresh, post- 9/11 Palestinian spin in Amreeka, a film that has all the familiar ingredients but is such a well-acted, winning re-combination of those that we see them with fresh eyes.
Sophie Ivan, Film4
Enjoyable but uneven, Amreeka is an unlikely comic take on the plight of the displaced, at home and abroad.
Allan Hunter, Daily Express
It sounds heavygoing but if anything Amreeka is a little too sweet and cosy for its own good.
Philip French, Guardian [UK]
Not a subtle film, but an attractive, affecting one.
Tom Seymour, Little White Lies
In attempt to sustain momentum, the film begins to lurch from comic-book realism to join-the-dots melodrama.
David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]
This is a vulnerable but proud woman who we can't help but like.
Derek Malcolm, This is London
The film is more gentle than harsh, relying on a very fine performance from the charming Faour and settings in Palestine and Illinois that seem very real.
Steve Rose, Guardian [UK]
The political issues are a little heavy handed but the story - partly drawn from the director's own experience - works best when it focuses on the personal.
Simon Kinnear, Total Film
It's charming and laidback, preferring wry, compassionate humour to politicking.
David Jenkins, Time Out
You'll end up baffled that a film built on such shaky foundations can end up being so impossibly sweet.
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine
Likeable but lightweight, Dabis' emigration tale plays largely for laughs, sapping some of the drama from the storyline.
Don Groves, sbs.com.au
A winning tale of battling racism and prejudice in multi-cultural America.
Steve Newall, Flicks.co.nz
A giant bland-fest, unleashing a misfiring charm offensive in place of strong characterisation or a story that has a destination in mind.
Ian Buckwalter, DCist
It's funny, it's politically charged, it's deeply felt, and director Cherien Dabis keeps skillful control over all of these aspects to maintain balance.
Mike Scott, Times-Picayune
Amreeka is only one of a number of recent immigrant tales to hit theaters, but with its blend of sweet humor and topical relevance, it's one of the more compelling -- and surprising -- in some time.

Read all 24 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

A stealth political piece about a Palestinian family's rough immigration to heartland America, effectively put across by a lovable cast. Here is a writer/director to watch.
Nicki M

I was kind of "meh" with this one. I liked it, but I didn't love it. I guess from the cover I expected more of a comedy.. and it is kind of funny.... but not too as it deals with a serious topic. It probably works better in the more serious parts, but I felt like I… More
I was kind of "meh" with this one. I liked it, but I didn't love it. I guess from the cover I expected more of a comedy.. and it is kind of funny.... but not too as it deals with a serious topic. It probably works better in the more serious parts, but I felt like I didn't really connect too well with any of it. The cast are good and you do hope to see them do well, but by the end of the film I was glad to see it finish too. Not really sure what the problem was exactly. And the pipe smoking really put me off at the end as well as it seemed irresponsible with all the kids at the table (just a little pet hate of mine!). Don't know... maybe worth a watch on tv for free, but not one to seek out.
paul s

In Amreeka, we have an Indie film that explores the well trod ground and fish out of water scenario of someone from a foreign land moving to America. In this case the script has some merit as it shows a Palestinian mother and son who put up with the daily travails of getting from the… More
In Amreeka, we have an Indie film that explores the well trod ground and fish out of water scenario of someone from a foreign land moving to America. In this case the script has some merit as it shows a Palestinian mother and son who put up with the daily travails of getting from the west bank into Jerusalem where they reside with grandma. When the opportunity arises to journey to Illinois, the son, a gifted private school student, jumps at the chance, and while his mother is a bit more reticent, having a well paying job, finally acquiesces after an incident occurs involving her son and a border agent. Of course once they get to Illinois, where mom's sister is living with a successful doctor, reality sets in, and we find, as usual, that things can never live up to our expectations. Adding tension to the mix is the post 911 fallout, where anyone looking "Arab" is shunned. There is a certain empathy to be seen here, though I've seen this type of film before and seen it better (The Kite Runner for example). The filming is very straight forward, and shot with whatever light was available (which gives much of the film a very "home movie" feel to it). The narrative is linear, and on the whole gives you an "ordinary day in the life" attitude, although at times you feel led on a leash as the narrative tries to shoehorn the message and events become just a bit too convenient. The performance of Nisreen Faour as the mother is a good one, as she maintains a certain inner strength that comes through the lens well. Her son, played by Melkar Muallem is also well played, and in all, in spite of some obvious Indie conventions and the fact that the film is really showing us nothing groundbreaking, does manage to mildly entertain through its less than 100 minute run time, although I cringed at the obvious male attraction, savior to the rescue aspect of the school principal - even while applauding his acceptance, not only for her race, but her, shall we say, overly abundant figure.
Jim H

"Is it true you work at White Castle, Auntie?" "Yes." "You could have at least chosen Wendy's." A Palestinian single mother journeys to Illinois with her teenage son, and they encounter anti-Arab racism and financial difficulties. In many of my… More
"Is it true you work at White Castle, Auntie?" "Yes." "You could have at least chosen Wendy's." A Palestinian single mother journeys to Illinois with her teenage son, and they encounter anti-Arab racism and financial difficulties. In many of my reviews, I stay focused on story construction, but Amreeka made me remember that in films we spend two hours getting to know a group of people. Many of the people here, especially Mouna, played by Nisreen Faour, are simply delightful human beings with whom I'm very happy spending time. Even the surly and displaced Raghda, Mouna's sister, has her moments, and it's easy to understand the roots of her anger. Also, I, along with many others, can write until our fingers turn purple about the plights of the Palestinian people, but Amreeka shows how getting across town, all the while being treated with suspicion, becomes so oppressive and dehumanizing that one is compelled to merely stay at home if one is lucky enough to have one, or in this case, flee. The film's weakness is its story construction. The film examines many issues - among them, anti-Arab racism, anti-Muslim xenophobia, teenage rebellion, classism, body image issues, etc. - and I don't expect each of these to be wrapped up in a pretty bow, but what the film offers seems blissfully ignorant after it dealt with complexity so deftly just a few moments before. Overall, Amreeka has some remarkably likable characters, people whom I'd love to introduce you to; we'll spend the day eating falafel burgers at White Castle.
Cynthia S

Good movie. It's a very interesting look at what Arabian families had to deal with here after 9/11. It couldn't have been easy for them with all the hatred for Muslims back then. Muslim or not, they all were looked at as the same...people we didn't want here. Nicely… More
Good movie. It's a very interesting look at what Arabian families had to deal with here after 9/11. It couldn't have been easy for them with all the hatred for Muslims back then. Muslim or not, they all were looked at as the same...people we didn't want here. Nicely done story
Jake .

This movie is certainly entertaining to watch, and rather flawlessly deals with a rather touchy subject. However, it really left me cold. I really cannot force myself to care about what happens to Muna and Fadi. Besides, it certainly appears that they live happily ever after. The End.… More
This movie is certainly entertaining to watch, and rather flawlessly deals with a rather touchy subject. However, it really left me cold. I really cannot force myself to care about what happens to Muna and Fadi. Besides, it certainly appears that they live happily ever after. The End. Idk, it seemed pretty light and humorous. That was a unique touch. Realyl, think about everything you have ever seen, read, or heard about Iranian immigration. it generally isn't that cheerful. Granted, the movie shows some hardships, but overall it seems pretty optimistic and sweet. I thought that was really a nice touch, but it is not enough to save the film. It not even so much that Amreeka is a bad movie. There are just not enough aspects worthy of praise to really call it a good movie. Still, it is light entertainment with quite a lot of heart. That has got to count for something.
Walter M

In "Amreeka," Muna(Nisreen Faour), a divorced bank employee in the West Bank, learns her long forgotten American visa application has been approved. At first, reluctant to follow through and leave her family behind, she changes her mind in order to give her teenaged son… More
In "Amreeka," Muna(Nisreen Faour), a divorced bank employee in the West Bank, learns her long forgotten American visa application has been approved. At first, reluctant to follow through and leave her family behind, she changes her mind in order to give her teenaged son Fadi(Melkar Muallem) a better chance at life and a college in the States. They have the bad luck to arrive to stay with Muna's sister Raghda(Hiam Abbass) in Illinois just as the American invasion of Iraq is kicking into high gear in 2003. That adversely affects the medical practice of Nadeel(Yussuf Abu-Warda), Raghda's husband. So, Muna and Fadi could have definitely used the $2500 they lost at customs... With a couple of contrivances and little story to speak of, "Amreeka" still manages to be an engaging movie that nails the immigrant experience by depicting it as adjusting to a new country while resisting the pulls of the old country. While immigrants may therefore feel like they do not have a country to call their own, the same could certainly also be said of residents of the West Bank.(I hate the wall but I love the graffiti.) And without condescension, the movie also captures the best and worst that small town life has to offer.
Nicolas K

Dabis is lucky to have such a wonderful cast on the debut film as director But this story about post 9/11 xenophobic America feels patchy at times and does not avoid the trap of introducing Hollywood-esque feel-good moments in an otherwise strong drama.
Curt C

[29th Atlantic Film Festival] An immigrant's story of a Palestinian single mom and her teenage son arrive in rural Illinois to escape a life of oppression, only to face the fallout from America's war on Iraq. Wow, as heavy as the synopsis sounds, this is one of the most… More
[29th Atlantic Film Festival] An immigrant's story of a Palestinian single mom and her teenage son arrive in rural Illinois to escape a life of oppression, only to face the fallout from America's war on Iraq. Wow, as heavy as the synopsis sounds, this is one of the most uplifting movies I've seen all year. Mona and her family all face hardships adjusting to life and prejudice in America, from schoolyard bullying to prejudicial patients. Through all the negatives, they manage to pull through and persevere as a family. Walking into Amreeka, it sounded like a movie I'd seen plenty of times. What makes it succeed is Nisreen Faour in the starring role as Mona - she's bursting with so much energy, innocence, and sincerity that it is impossible not to like her. Highly recommended and a lot of fun to watch
Leo L

Interesting movie. Great story plot that centralizes around the lives and experiences of a mother and her son. It is right before the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, and those who are middle eastern, and/or of Muslim faith are being discriminated. Tired of the daily exhaustive… More
Interesting movie. Great story plot that centralizes around the lives and experiences of a mother and her son. It is right before the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, and those who are middle eastern, and/or of Muslim faith are being discriminated. Tired of the daily exhaustive routine in traveling from home to work and back again, Mouna (still feeling the betrayal of her husband's departure) decides to listen to her son: travel to the U.S. to make a better way of life. Uncertain, but she agrees and puts her mother in the care of her brother. In the U.S., Mouna and Fadi stays with Raghda (Mouna's sister) and her family. In his new school, Fadi is abruptly introduced to the blind ignorance and wayward opinions of some of his fellow classmates. He depends upon his cousin sister Salma to defend him which she does in her own peculiar ways. Mouna seeing the tension of those in the community and that of her sister, she is set on finding employment but cannot find work so she takes a position at a White Castle location. It is there that she makes a new friend, Matt. Adjusting to this new life, Mouna befriends Mr. Novatski and helps to bridge and alleviate the tension in her sister's home. Great cast- Nisreen Faour, Hiam Abbass, Melkar Muallem, Joseph Ziegler, Yussuf Abu-Warda, and Alia Shawkat. Worth seeing!
Daisy M

Amreeka was the story of a Palestinian woman as she struggled living in an military-occupied West Bank In Palestina. When she received notice that she has been chosen in a lottery for a U.S. Green Card, she made a decision to go, leaving her mother and brother behind. Once in the US,… More
Amreeka was the story of a Palestinian woman as she struggled living in an military-occupied West Bank In Palestina. When she received notice that she has been chosen in a lottery for a U.S. Green Card, she made a decision to go, leaving her mother and brother behind. Once in the US, she realized that life in America was not all that she had dreamed of. Facing prejudice everywhere, she had to make choices in trying to support her family and her son she brought to America with her. In the end, this movie showed us the importance of family and the sacrifices made for the one we love.