Review of Captain Abu Raed (2008) by Keith G — 13 May 2010

"Captain Abu Raed" is an emotional, touching drama about an elderly, widowed, airport janitor who finds a captain's pilot hat in a trash can. When arriving home from work wearing his new hat, some children mistake him for a pilot.

He begins meeting with the kids each day telling incredible, adventurous stories that not only excites and entertains the children but gives his life new meaning. Nadim Sawalha is perfectly cast and gives a fantastic, heartfelt performance.

For the most part, it is a very well written story. It does begin to branch off into all sorts of directions but by the film's end most everything ties together nicely. This is an Arabic film and is in subtitles but don't let that scare you away.

This is a movie that will genuinely tug at your heart's strings without the typical gimics used in most of Hollywood's "tear-jerkers". A nice mix of comedy and drama, "Captain Abu Raed" is a very real, human look at a very interesting man and the impact he has on those around him.

Find this movie and give it a shot.