... to extract a conclusion and hence an accurate rating, despite the decent scenario and acting. Many philosophies, many religions, many axioms, many ideological implementations in believers, different emotional aspects, non-believers and governments, many ways to act upon choices. The final act is reminiscent of absurdity and avoids addressing the core issue in everything: Everything can be resolved non-absurdly only through money. The key issue therefore, shouda been, who has the money. It is unimportant how/why anybody else acts upon choice. So what exactly are we supposed to conclude after watching this movie? You guessed it. Nothing. So 5/10 because the probability between any two completely opposing views is 1/2, as well (which is close to the general imdb rating).
18 Reviews
last scene killed the idea of the movie
pwie3 January 2019
If you appreciate film, you will love this movie
emersonwarren27 July 2018
The Algerian tells an important story that even most feature films today struggle to tell. It's a controversial yet very relevant topic that we deal with everyday in the United States. Ali's struggle with his faith and his humanity is something that is very real today, and it is masterfully portrayed by Youcef and the cinematography. There is really a lot of heart and soul dedicated into this film and I believe that is reflected by the many awards it's recieved from various film festivals. I would I highly recommend The Algerian to anyone who loves and has an appreciation for quality filmmaking.
Must See Indy Movie
boccaccio226 July 2018
Great international spy-thriller with lots of cool locations around the U.S. and Algeria. Compelling social-political plot wrapped around a love story. Culturally relevant, especially with spread of terrorism in the world today. I see why it won so many awards, even though it's a small budget movie.
Excellent Independent Movie and Storyline
sammy_gergis10 January 2019
Saw "The Algerian" at its premiere, and the movie did not disappoint. Strong story line(s) that delve into the concepts of hate, indoctrination, perception, perspectives, culture, understanding and ultimately, redemption. The plot convergence toward the end is unique, with the protagonist's actions and morality colliding, leaving the viewer to wonder - is it possible that this may unfortunately not be a movie, in our post 9/11 and ultimately interconnected world? Good cast that work well together. The movie makes the viewer consider the definition of morals and ethics from a non-familiar lens, coupled with their potential dangerous pitfalls & consequences.
great indie action!
scotttempest18 January 2019
Was impressed with the awards this movie won in festivals and am glad I checked it out. Interesting global locations made for the backdrop of an international thriller which pose some thoughtful questions on making choices that matter for yourself. Found the main character inspiring in this regard. Well shot and especially liked the music. recommend!
Must See
jplannette3 January 2019
I saw The Algerian on the big screen but certainly intend to see it again. It is so important in these times to be reminded that people must not be smeared with the same brush. There are good and bad in every group, nationality and religion. We are all human.
Great story
CarloMendez26 July 2018
Outstanding independent thriller
Dawgbroker18 January 2019
Definitely worth a look
deardamo-540-63928815 January 2019
Must see!
soniazelko3 January 2019
Very broad overall portrait of Muslims, which was refreshing to see.
subxerogravity9 September 2015
I enjoyed the movie a lot. It was about a foreigner living in a foreign land and because he happen to be Muslim, it made him feel even more foreign in America.
It feels like the movie was designed to help Americans understand the full scope of the religion. Their are good guys and their are bad guys just like with any religion. It's a little bit ironic as the story itself is about a Muslim man understanding the world outside his limited view on the faith.
Almost wish that the movie's main draw was not the fact that it's a political thriller about terrorism as watching this young man's own personal day by day struggle was worthy enough.
I times the movie did dwell on things for too long but as a whole it was worth taking time to see.
It feels like the movie was designed to help Americans understand the full scope of the religion. Their are good guys and their are bad guys just like with any religion. It's a little bit ironic as the story itself is about a Muslim man understanding the world outside his limited view on the faith.
Almost wish that the movie's main draw was not the fact that it's a political thriller about terrorism as watching this young man's own personal day by day struggle was worthy enough.
I times the movie did dwell on things for too long but as a whole it was worth taking time to see.
Thriller sneaks up quietly and ultimately delivers a knockout punch
Miles-1015 April 2021
"The Algerian" is a little gem that explores the motivations of a terrorist named Ali and the unexpected consequences of his engagement with his target. Ben Youcef as the titular character is a revelation, an actor as smart as he is good-looking. (He also wrote the story on which director-writer-editor Giovanni Zelko based the screenplay.)
Ali, who attended American University in Cairo, speaks fluent English, but there are still cultural things that surprise him when he arrives in the United States on a student visa. He is a lone wolf early in the film as he takes a room that he eventually furnishes with a naked mattress and not much else. (At one point, we see what looks to be an empty bird cage; was there an attempt at keeping a pet that was edited out?)
Ali's isolation and loneliness are palpable, but gradually he meets people including a shopkeeper (Zuhair Haddad) who sells him a bicycle and makes him an Arab-style cup of coffee, and a woman he could have fallen in love with in a different life. (Candice Coke's performance as Ali's love interest, Lana, anchors the film in a secondary story arc that holds up a tragic mirror that Ali cannot ignore.) All the people he meets represent either his old world or this new one in unanticipated ways. Harry Lennix, as Sulyman, the imam of a local mosque, is possibly the best-known cast member in this ensemble (other than Seymour Cassel who has a small role as a professor of history who argues with Ali). Ali is comforted by Sulyman's pastoral counselling but instinctively knows that Sulyman is also an American, and he can't confess that he is in America to carry out a deadly mission. The mission is on behalf of a figure known as "Father" who fancies himself destined to become the Khalifa (Caliph) of the whole Muslim world through terrorist acts. All of these characters are limned effectively and efficiently despite their often brief appearances on screen.
Ali does not bargain for meeting two women who inspire love and an American man (Josh Pence) his own age who becomes a friend. His relationships tangle him in conflicting feelings of love and hate, tolerance and prejudice (both received and given). As his feelings about his comrades and his cause on one hand and his new friends and his host country on the other become increasingly complicated, Ali questions his commitments and ultimately makes a shocking decision.
A couple of segues from scene to scene seem a bit abrupt, but there are not too many of those. Also giving the impression that Zelko had to do some severe editing, there are some unanswered questions such what leads the FBI to arrest the shopkeeper who knows nothing about Ali's mission. An apparent act of random injustice seems to be there just to stoke Ali's animosity for the U. S., even though we already understand that he blames Americans for making him an orphan when he was a boy.
Slow at first, the film becomes more and more exciting and unpredictable. Zelko's direction is confidant and brings out fine performances from a cast of mostly little-known actors. Sara (Tara Holt) as Ali's second love interest does her best to be convincing, but this relationship pales beside Ali's stronger chemistry with Lana. (BTW is it an intended or unintended joke that "Lana's" nickname for Ali is "Superman"?) Father (Said Faraj) is surprisingly humanized despite his devotion to speechmaking even in conversations and his obvious manipulativeness and megalomania. It ultimately seems out of character for him to come to the U. S. to oversee his plans. Doing so makes him seem pennyante, a poor man's Usama bin Laden. Megalomaniacs are usually canny enough to stay out of harm's way.
Ali, who attended American University in Cairo, speaks fluent English, but there are still cultural things that surprise him when he arrives in the United States on a student visa. He is a lone wolf early in the film as he takes a room that he eventually furnishes with a naked mattress and not much else. (At one point, we see what looks to be an empty bird cage; was there an attempt at keeping a pet that was edited out?)
Ali's isolation and loneliness are palpable, but gradually he meets people including a shopkeeper (Zuhair Haddad) who sells him a bicycle and makes him an Arab-style cup of coffee, and a woman he could have fallen in love with in a different life. (Candice Coke's performance as Ali's love interest, Lana, anchors the film in a secondary story arc that holds up a tragic mirror that Ali cannot ignore.) All the people he meets represent either his old world or this new one in unanticipated ways. Harry Lennix, as Sulyman, the imam of a local mosque, is possibly the best-known cast member in this ensemble (other than Seymour Cassel who has a small role as a professor of history who argues with Ali). Ali is comforted by Sulyman's pastoral counselling but instinctively knows that Sulyman is also an American, and he can't confess that he is in America to carry out a deadly mission. The mission is on behalf of a figure known as "Father" who fancies himself destined to become the Khalifa (Caliph) of the whole Muslim world through terrorist acts. All of these characters are limned effectively and efficiently despite their often brief appearances on screen.
Ali does not bargain for meeting two women who inspire love and an American man (Josh Pence) his own age who becomes a friend. His relationships tangle him in conflicting feelings of love and hate, tolerance and prejudice (both received and given). As his feelings about his comrades and his cause on one hand and his new friends and his host country on the other become increasingly complicated, Ali questions his commitments and ultimately makes a shocking decision.
A couple of segues from scene to scene seem a bit abrupt, but there are not too many of those. Also giving the impression that Zelko had to do some severe editing, there are some unanswered questions such what leads the FBI to arrest the shopkeeper who knows nothing about Ali's mission. An apparent act of random injustice seems to be there just to stoke Ali's animosity for the U. S., even though we already understand that he blames Americans for making him an orphan when he was a boy.
Slow at first, the film becomes more and more exciting and unpredictable. Zelko's direction is confidant and brings out fine performances from a cast of mostly little-known actors. Sara (Tara Holt) as Ali's second love interest does her best to be convincing, but this relationship pales beside Ali's stronger chemistry with Lana. (BTW is it an intended or unintended joke that "Lana's" nickname for Ali is "Superman"?) Father (Said Faraj) is surprisingly humanized despite his devotion to speechmaking even in conversations and his obvious manipulativeness and megalomania. It ultimately seems out of character for him to come to the U. S. to oversee his plans. Doing so makes him seem pennyante, a poor man's Usama bin Laden. Megalomaniacs are usually canny enough to stay out of harm's way.
Great movie
mikeursetta18 May 2021
Must See!
cassandraseidenfeld27 January 2019
Concentric questioning of values
naphiah7 May 2022
This is a beautiful film with existentiality as its main subject: what does it mean to attach value to human life? And what must one shed to be a true lover of all humanity, of all of oneself.
The imam drawing concentric circles in the sand with a stick is the symbol of what this movie is challenging: who are we really if not our brother's keeper?
Top notch and a so called hidden gem.
The imam drawing concentric circles in the sand with a stick is the symbol of what this movie is challenging: who are we really if not our brother's keeper?
Top notch and a so called hidden gem.
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