Review of Ajami (2009) by Vlad P — 08 Dec 2010

2: I watched this and the next couple pictures I'll review so long ago it isn't even funny. I definitely won't do their reviews justice. That's what delaying reviews, working excessively, and watching Deadwood will do I guess.

I was mainly surprised at how impressed the critics were with Ajami. The disjointed structure can serve some films, but I didn't feel it was necessary here. It simply confused matters and left one wishing they would have told it straight.

The locations, performances, story, and execution are all very authentic-feeling, but they become somewhat clouded by the structure. I lost interest in exactly what was happening long before the film had concluded.

I'm being harsh, but this is simply because of the unearned, in my opinion, praise of the film. It is solid and interesting work, but nothing more. To call it powerful or mesmerizing is wrong.