The Band's Visit

In an ocean of predictable movies, The Band's Visit is an island of bliss. When you see the advertising about the story of an Egyptian police band getting lost in Israel, you're likely to roll the film instantly in your mind-conflict, hatred, perhaps some awkward humor, and a forced bit or two of vague optimism about the future. Forget all that, it's some other movie. This one is free and clear of anything set, routine, obvious, and predictable. The Band's Visit is about people-mostly awkward, all real and not about agenda, ideology or politics. It's an unsentimental "people movie" enormously likable, a treasure house of humanism. Israel's original Academy Award entry.