Arranged (2007)

64% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(1,936 ratings)

Two women whose peoples are often at odds find they're more alike than anyone expects in this drama from directors Stefan C. Schaefer and Diane Crespo. Rochel (Zoe Lister-Jones) and Nasira (Francis Benhamou) are two young women who have begun teaching at a public grade school in Brooklyn, NY. Rochel… More Two women whose peoples are often at odds find they're more alike than anyone expects in this drama from directors Stefan C. Schaefer and Diane Crespo. Rochel (Zoe Lister-Jones) and Nasira (Francis Benhamou) are two young women who have begun teaching at a public grade school in Brooklyn, NY. Rochel is an Orthodox Jew and Nasira is a Muslim of Pakistani descent, and the students and the administrators at the school are concerned there might be friction between the two teachers. However, over the course of their first year of teaching, Rochel and Nasira discover they have far more in common than they imagined -- both sometimes find themselves culturally out of place in 21st century New York, and both are trying to live within the traditions of their faith while struggling with their own feelings. In particular, Rochel and Nasira bond over the fact both are expected to enter into arranged marriages, Nasira with a wary optimism and Rochel with a great deal of trepidation. Arranged was screened in competition at the 2007 South by Southwest Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Diane Crespo
Written By: Stefan Schaefer
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Mar 11, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Mar 4, 2008
Studio: Film Movement

Critic Reviews

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
For a movie meant to shake viewers out of their ignorance, this clunky drama sure does indulge in a lot of stereotypes.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
In Arranged two devout Brooklyn schoolteachers clutch hands across the religious divide as their respective families prepare to marry them off.
Ronnie Scheib, Variety
Precise lensing, a strong sense of locale and vibrant, eminently likeable perfs enliven Arranged.
Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice
Lamentable scenes include that comic relief stand-by, the Bad Date Montage, but the movie comes off better than it should by virtue of Benhamou and (especially) Lister-Jones, appealing and modest young actors who create a plausible central relationship,
Daniel M. Kimmel, The Jewish Advocate
Maybe real life isn't as neat as portrayed here. In that case, the drawback is with reality, not the movie.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...a slight yet thoroughly charming little effort...
Kam Williams, Mount Desert Islander
Even if cross-cultural camaraderie looks a little easy to achieve, here, aren't movies sometimes supposed to point toward the path of peace and reconciliation, even if perhaps overoptimistically? My big fat Muslim and Jewish weddings!
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
Even if the cross-cultural camaraderie looks a little easy to achieve, here, aren't movies sometimes supposed to point towards the path of peace and reconciliation?
Shahnaz Habib, New York Press
Lays out the magic and messiness of friendship between women, and an outsider becomes a privileged insider.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Schaefer and Crespo's message isn't subtle, but they give it a fresh face by focusing on women whose identities are shaped but not warped by piety and devotion to ancient cultural values.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
While the celebratory finale is supposed to be uplifting, it could just as easily be described as depressing and disturbing.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
This is a beautiful little independent film with some really wonderful messages tucked into a tale of friendship, loyalty, duty, and tradition.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A drama about the friendship between an Orthodox Jewish woman and a Muslim woman with two radiant performances and an important message about respecting religious diversity
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
Muslims and Jews can indeed get along, and famously. Just have them teach in the same elementary school as this cute little, low-budget indie brings out.
David Phelps, Slant Magazine
At least Arranged understands that its message is directed at naïve children.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Keysha H

Really enjoyed this sweet film, that delved into issues of race and religion. Great lesson, and great film.
Walter M

"Arranged" introduces Rochel(Zoe Lister Jones), an orthodox Jew, and Nasira(Francis Benhamou), a Muslim who was born in Syria, sitting on separate sides of the teacher's lounge quietly eating their lunches, with a group of women loudly talking in between them. Rochel… More
"Arranged" introduces Rochel(Zoe Lister Jones), an orthodox Jew, and Nasira(Francis Benhamou), a Muslim who was born in Syria, sitting on separate sides of the teacher's lounge quietly eating their lunches, with a group of women loudly talking in between them. Rochel is a para educator, assigned to help Eddie(David Castro), a legally blind student in Nasira's class. The two women bond after the classroom explodes in a bout of ignorance(Eddie's surprised to hear there were ghettos in Europe. You have no idea.) and the resulting condescension by Principal Jacoby(Marcia Jean Kurtz). All of that is nothing compared to the stress of matchmaking that the new friends must deal with. "Arranged" brings sensitivity and grace to a situation many people would probably find draconian for a modern woman. The movie deftly respects Rochel and Nasira having the right to self-determination in choosing to not only live in tradition bound communities but also how to choose their husbands.(As Rochel asks, is the modern way any better?) It is interesting that the matchmaker emphasizes the potential husbands' economic prospects which while important in supporting a family is not everything. The women are not looking for perfection. They just want somebody they can share their lives with.(Teeth would also be nice.) So, as you can see, Rochel and Nasira are two modest women who have a lot in common, even if they are from different communities. Still, even this friendship is not without its detractors. Come on. It is not like they are going to marry each other...
Leo L

Great movie. Fantastic story plot about two young women from different cultures who quickly bond and become long-lived friends. Definitely worth seeing.
Wu C

A funny and touching story about family and friendship.