That's when the movie is its most effective as it forces the audience to confront the reality of racial jokes and answers that old question of "Where's the harm in telling it?" The harm is the underlying hatred that is the basis for those types of jokes in the first place. When Djalili joins in a round of Jewish insults at work as he's still trying to come to grips with his own identity he transforms from a basically likable guy into both a figure of ridicule and something genuinely ugly. Change the accents and the skin colour and it could be a group of guys in North America hanging around the water cooler making jokes about rag-heads and swearing about the fucking Muslims.
The divisions between Jews and Muslims aren't going to be closed without a willingness on both parts to step down from their positions of self-righteous indignation. The great thing about The Infidel is how it holds both sides up to ridicule while also showing why each also has every reason to be nervous of elements on the other side. It does the truly remarkable job respecting each group's beliefs while pointing out how ridiculous they are being. It may not bring instant peace to the Middle East, but it might just give some people a different perspective on the situation.
The Infidel on DVD has many of the bonus features we've come to expect these days including commentaries from the two lead actors, director Josh Appignanesi, and screenwriter David Baddiel; interviews with the actors and director; a gag reel; and bonus jokes. As usual it will sound and look best on newer home theatre equipment as it's presented in wide screen format with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.
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