Jacir (2022) User Reviews

Amazing concept with a decent execution

[truenfg · 7/10 · 20 May 2023]

The movie is centered around a Syrian refugee named Jacir living in Memphis, Tennessee trying to learn English and adapt to an American lifestyle. During his journey he faces racism, discrimination, poverty, drug use and the constant looming threat of deportation. This movie is a realistic and raw depiction of what the American dream can look like for anyone impoverished struggling to get by.

I love the how raw and real this movie feels at times especially when dealing with topics like race, the complexity of racism and poverty. Tut Weezy did an amazing job here for his acting debut can't wait to see more from him in the future, the only things I disliked where the music selection(Tut Weezy has more popular songs they could have used) writing/pacing towards the middle and end of movie starts to feel like it's in a rush to wrap things up. They're a few plot holes because of this and off screen conflicts that somehow resolved themselves along with the fact we never learn much about Jacir's past and why he feels so compelled to help Meryl still defiantly worth a watch.

Phenomenal Performances

[eliz-07016 · 10/10 · 1 February 2023]

As a daughter of immigrants, this film gave me a deeper and tearful appreciation of the real life struggles my parents went through seeking a new beginning in search of the American Dream.

Malek Rhabani brought Jacir to life. The raw emotion he boldly delivered on screen touched me--from the pain of isolation, injustice and racism, to the compassion, kindness and humanity he showed to a woman (Lorraine Bracco) who frankly didn't deserve it. What a phenomenal performance!

Lorraine Bracco's performance elicited feelings of anger for her character's ignorance, but also pity and compassion. It was a reminder of the human connection that we all need.

What a beautifully acted film and labor of love.

never doubted this movie

[mjmjmjmacool · 10/10 · 22 June 2023]

This movie showcases the hardships and challenges that is an unfortunate reality in America. It was heartbreaking and inspiring and hopeful all in one.

Malek's performance demands the audience's appraisal as he navigates various emotional aspects of his role. He perfectly adapted his performance to the character himself which communicated seamlessly with the plot.

Additionally, while having some heartbreaking aspects, the idea of a found-family formed among the characters of Jacir and Meryl, and of course Jerome, brings a warming turn to the story.

(Side note, growing up with poor Middle Eastern representation in media makes this movie feel all the more rewarding) GO WATCH JACIR.

Heartbreaking yet inspiring!

[josephcharbine · 10/10 · 20 November 2022]

A beautiful story told elegantly by incredible performances from the entire cast. Lorraine Bracco phenomenal as always. Malek Rahbani drew you into the story at every moment he was on screen.

This film tells a story of rebirth, our main character comes from a war torn country seeking a new life in the US, just to find himself dealing with the difficulty of inclusion within the American social community. Malek delivers a spectacular performance by expressing the hardships one goes through in life that any person could connect too.

This film is a great representation of the real life struggles immigrants go through seeking a new beginning.

A story we need now more than ever.

[KennyJackson_Anthem · 10/10 · 22 November 2022]

"Jacir" is such a thoughtful story, that is somehow both timely and timeless. Jacir's journey as a Syrian refugee, uprooted, and dropped in the American South, is told with heart and authenticity. A microcosm of a stranded soul, striving to do more than merely survive. However, the film's themes will resonate with anyone whose life has moved them in an unexpected and unwelcome direction.

The acting performances are stellar, with a breakout performance by Malek Rahbani as the titular character. He brought Jacir to life with equal parts heartbreak and hope. At times it felt like he was channeling the depth and charm of Charlie Chapman. "Jacir" also benefits greatly from the gravitas of the amazing Lorraine Bracco. This film allows her to shine. Her character is gritty and beautiful, and I can't get enough of that iconic raspy voice.

As a huge bonus, the original music in the film is the definition of original. A unique mix of Blues and Hip Hop that could not be more Memphis, and a sound that I've never heard before.

"Jacir" is a labor of love, and it shows. From the first frame to the last. Can't wait to see what comes next from this filmmaking team.

Poignant!

[OlivierRiquelme · 10/10 · 26 November 2022]

It is RARE to be moved by a movie to this degree! I had to go see it twice!

Malek Rahbani has achieved such a phenomenal performance, every single scene, we are right there with Jacir. The struggles, the identity he never loses, identity of his culture of origin where he meets friends and hopes, obstacles, but always so sincere, raw and pure!

Lorraine Braco plays such an epic, tragic character, and the dynamic between the protagonists is absolutely riveting. This movie has created a modern version of visual poetry, combining the complexity of the layers of culture and subcultures with incredible actors. A masterpiece brilliantly executed!

What an outstanding film!

[r-pivaral · 10/10 · 23 November 2022]

This is a beautifully narrated film and incredibly well acted by an extraordinary cast. Jacir is the emotionally charged story of a Syrian immigrant in Memphis, Tennessee living through a personal crisis of loss due to war. He is at the roots of a new life in the West, where he is met with the reality which at times means cruel rejection, frustrating loneliness, and corrupt social fragility. Jacir, though, chooses to live with authenticity, inspiring self-confidence and tremendous courage. Malek Rahbani boldly and outstandingly shines in his debut film, portraying an unforgettable and emotionally articulate Jacir. A film for everyone to watch, with it's soul-searching themes and as a great reminder of our own need for deep and real human connection.

Best movie of the year!

[larryjtolbert · 10/10 · 9 April 2023]

If you love movies based on great, real-life stories then this one is for you. Based in the grit and grind city of Memphis, it will challenge what you think about immigration and the obstacles migrants have to overcome when seeking legal citizenship. Masterfully written and presented by Waheed AlQawasmi, it will rival any big budget studio offering. Best of all, it will make you think, cry, laugh out loud and leave you wanting to know more about what happens to Jacir. The original soundtrack, sourced entirely by the Director, Al Kapone and Boo Mitchell, is strongly influenced by rap and the delta blues.

The soundtrak deserves a life of its own! Great performances by Lorraine Bracco, Malek Rahbani and Tutweezy.

Best movie about immigration to usa

[loulousaker · 10/10 · 14 May 2023]

Malek rahbani talked about all of us immigrant.

He did made us go through the same feelings each one of us felt as leaving his country, the struggle, the racism , the ignorance, and pain. With his amazing performance touched our heart and we forgot ourselves watching a movie, we went back in the memories and remembered our wars we had to deal with when arriving to this country.

This movie has everything ,black and white problem immigrant , document , racism , love , longing to the old country ,clash of culture , devotion , loyalty and respects .

Great movie Great actor malek rahbani. Best movie of the year.

Sensational performance by Rahbani

[mazenbaaklini · 10/10 · 19 June 2023]

This movie accurately depicts what arab refugees from war torn countries go through on a daily basis in the USA. Rahbani's meticulous performance hits home when it comes to showing how refugees are subject to humiliation and racism. The heartening character Jacir, played by Rahbani, weathers the storm and shows how struggle turns into hope. Co-starring along with Bracco, two opposite characters clash at first, but then form a bond that flourished after several hardships. This depicts how difficult it is for refugees to be accepted into society, yet if we just listen to them, we will understand that they are decent human beings just like us. Wonderful and heartwarming movie overall, Rahbani putting in a stellar performance!

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE!

[gracechilyan · 10/10 · 15 July 2023]

By far one of the best movies of this century. The amazing performances of both Malek Rahbani and Lorraine Bracco was so immensely captivating that I could not look away from the screen. The interactions between the characters are genuine and authentic, enhancing the beauty of the story. Their nuanced performance captures the subtleties and complexities of their characters making them relatable and compelling especially as a daughter to immigrant parents. Seeing the differences in life between Jacir and Meryl really bring to light the every day difficulties these two humans have. Definitely a must see.

Great Film!!

[patrickaudicho · 10/10 · 15 July 2023]

Great film! The performances of the main characters convey emotions and complexities that keep you excited and waiting for the next scene throughout the movie.

Very interesting topic that touches on difficulties and struggles a lot of people endure in their daily life. People immigrating across the world after loosing everything back home, leaving behind all the good and bad memories, family members and friends, seeking a future they thought they could pursue in a western country like the US , not knowing that they will encounter a lot of people that are not accepting with no empathy.

However, the movie ends on a good note to prove that good always wins in this world no matter what, and that regardless of race, color, religion, sex, social class, we're all the same human beings.

I encourage everyone to watch it!

Amazing movie

[robbykaram · 10/10 · 9 May 2023]

JACIR is wonderfully played by Malek Rahbani, he delivered an outstanding performance, as well as Ms Lorraine bracco who was fantastic in it. It's one of the best movies I've seen this year, an immensely deep story about the struggles of immigrants looking for acceptance, new opportunities and the American dream. It shows humanity despite our differences. A fantastic story, it's a very important topic to tackle it will bring people together and it shows that everyone had a story of hardship and we need to support and tolerate each other, this movie is about tolerance and acceptance in a society full of prejudice. Malek Rahbani's performance is undeniably outstanding.

A Syrian refugee in Memphis!

[georges-nahas · 10/10 · 30 May 2023]

Jacir starring Malek Rahbani and Lorraine Bracco is a great independent movie with a beautiful message. Set in Memphis, the movie follows Jacir, a Syrian refugee who escaped the war back in his country and who's the neighbor of Meryl, a confused and sick racist woman. Events unfold that let the two characters meet and trust each other. The movie is all about the performances of the two lead actors. Malek Rahbani is outstanding as Jacir. He gave everything to portray his part. Emotional and powerful acting! He was at the level of Bracco who as usual doesn't disappoint. From Alleppo to the Ghetto... Do not miss that movie!

So proud of this film!

[mwakim · 10/10 · 6 February 2024]

As an immigrant to this country this film makes me so proud. It shows the struggles and hardships that many of us face as we walk into the new world; especially in the case of refugees coming from war torn countries.

The performances are outstanding. Malek Rahbani an immigrant himself, puts his heart and soul into "Jacir". Lorraine Bracco as always delivers a fantastic performance going head to head with Jacir as his neighbor.

The music and the whole mood of the film put you in those rugged areas of Memphis. You start to relate to these characters and their stories.

I highly recommend it!!!

Exceptional movie

[markfrangi · 10/10 · 31 January 2024]

The movie explores the difficulties faced by an immigrant from several angles (racism, injustice, cultural differences, etc) and Malek Rahbani, who took the role of Jacir, a Syrian immigrant in Memphis, delivered those struggles in an extremely remarkable fashion. Despite all the hardship and differences in perceptions in his entourage, he remained attached to his values and moral by helping his neighbor Meryl (Lorraine Bracco), a somewhat racist old lady; and this got him into trouble several times with some officials. An exceptional and brilliant movie that must be watched without any hesitation!

Amazing Movie, Well Done

[chalhoubxian · 10/10 · 7 February 2024]

JACIR is an amazing film with both intense and suspenseful sequences interspersed with lighthearted comedic moments. A magnificent journey written and directed by Waheed AlQawasmi. Malek Rahbani, the lead actor, has surpassed himself with his expertly driven performance as Jacir. A story perfectly exposing the true hardships of what many thousands of immigrants face on a daily basis. Along his journey Jacir develops an unexpected bond with Meryl (actress Lorraine Bracco), an ultra-conservative, opioid-dependent who is afraid of immigrants and minority families in her community. Meryl continuously beat Jacir down, showing no sense of care for the lost sole. However, No matter how strained their relationship became, Jacir stood by this woman no matter what. He always believed it was the right thing to do. One performance worth also highlighting is Tutweezy's (actor Darius Tutwiler's), who plays Jacir's friend and coworker. Tutweezy's upbeat personality always brought a smile to my face. I believe the whole cast did a superb job in their roles. I felt that many of us can relate to JACIR, a lost sole just trying to fit into the world and manages to portray this perfectly on the big screen. Well-done. I highly recommended this movie to all types of viewers.

Love it!

[jadmallah-80946 · 10/10 · 5 February 2024]

Title: A Captivating Masterpiece of Realism and Emotion!

"Jacir" is a movie that left me thoroughly impressed. The story is incredibly realistic, touching on the complexities of life, while the performances of the entire cast are exceptional. With a perfect balance of comedy and drama, "Jacir" is a must-watch for anyone seeking a captivating cinematic experience. Prepare to be moved by this brilliant masterpiece!

From start to finish, "Jacir" captivated my heart and mind with its powerful storytelling and exceptional performances. The story delves into the depths of human emotions and experiences, making it relatable and thought-provoking. I found myself completely engrossed in the narrative, eagerly anticipating each twist and turn.

The entire cast of "Jacir" delivered nothing short of brilliance. Each character was brought to life with authenticity and conviction, leaving a lasting impact. The actors showcased a remarkable range of emotions, effortlessly transitioning between comedic and dramatic moments. Their chemistry and dedication to their roles were evident in every scene.

"Jacir" seamlessly blends some comedy scenes and amazing drama, striking the perfect balance between light-hearted moments and deeply touching scenes. This combination adds depth and complexity to the overall story, making it a truly enriching cinematic experience.

I cannot recommend "Jacir" enough. It is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates exceptional storytelling, outstanding performances, and a perfect blend of comedy and drama. This movie left a profound impact on me, and I am confident it will do the same for you. So grab some popcorn, find a cozy spot, and prepare to be moved by the brilliance of "Jacir"!

Outstanding Performance

[ahmadammar-42752 · 10/10 · 13 August 2023]

The movie delves into the harsh realities faced by immigrants, showcasing the determination and resilience required to navigate unfamiliar terrain. Jacir's journey echoes the struggles of many newcomers who come to a foreign land seeking a better life but encounter unforeseen obstacles. His pursuit of the American dream is painted with both hope and frustration, giving the audience a window into the complexities of identity, belonging, and cultural assimilation.

As an immigrant, I found "Jacir" to be particularly relatable. The film echoes the challenges of adaptation, the clash of cultures, and the constant negotiation of one's roots in a new environment. The portrayal of Jacir's experiences evoked memories of my own struggles and victories, making the movie a mirror to my personal journey.

Amazing Performance by Malek! Must watch.