Review of Paradise Now (2005) by Roland P — 29 Nov 2010

I was surprised that there were actually funny moments in this movie, particularly in the beginning with the car. It grew more serious as time progressed though and, honestly, I didn't too much like the main protagonist, Said. He was just kind of bland and emotionless when compared to Khaled who had way more personality and conscience.

I guess I can appreciate what it is the film is trying to do. It's trying to help the rest of us understand *why* people become suicide bombers. To me, the reasons seemed to be lack of resources (fairly understandable) and lack of imagination. How many suicide bombers have there been thus far and how close is the end of this fight? Yeah, the end is nowhere in sight. I appreciated the voices of reason from Khaled and Said's girlfriend regarding the lunacy of blowing yourself up.

I've always thought it interesting that, for all the jubilant talk of paradise and what awaits after their "martyrdom", the ringleaders who actually orchestrate these operations haven't blown *themselves* up. They lure and manipulate desperate people for their own gains and use them to carry out the dirty work. It's truly sad. A movie needs to focus on *these* conmen more than anything.