Review of The Other Son (2012) by Miriam S — 26 Apr 2015

I just happened to see this film while channel surfing HBO last night. This story,about about two college aged boys, one Palestinian the other Israeli switched accidentally in the hospital at birth, seems so incredibly improbable as to have no chance of being a believable film.

But , against all expectations it is more than believable; it is a good, sensitive and very human movie. Thought provoking, it avoids sentimentality but remains a warm touching exploration of two families working through a situation difficult under any circumstances, let alone in the setting of the Palestinian / Israeli conflict.

Beautifully done; succeeding on many levels, I heartily recommend this to anyone who feels even the smallest interest and empathy for the human element on both sides caught in the difficult nature of the current hostilities.

It is not a perfect movie, but the excellence of the script, performances and direction overcome the movie's flaws and make it well worth seeing.