The Other Son
The Other Son Image
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Metascore
63 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: As he prepares to join the Israeli army for his national service, Joseph discovers he is not his parents’ biological son, but that he was inadvertently switched at birth with Yassin, the son of a Palestinian family from the West Bank. This revelation turns the lives of these two families upspside-down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, their values and their beliefs. (Cohen Media Group)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    Oct 24, 2012
    88
    When the mistake is discovered, how do the families react? What disturbs them more: that their son has been raised as an enemy or that he has been raised in another religion? That's where The Other Son gets complicated.
  2. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Matt Singer
    Oct 23, 2012
    80
    The cast's performances are so gut-wrenching (particularly from Emmanuelle Devos and Areen Omari as the boys' equally empathic mothers) that the film's hopeful message and abundance of heart prove impossible to resist.
  3. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    Nov 18, 2012
    75
    The movie doesn't need to preach a "we're all equal" message. When we watch the boys bond with their new kin over food or music, then see the lines of Palestinians plodding through armed checkpoints to reach jobs or visit Israeli friends, we get the point.
  4. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    Oct 25, 2012
    60
    This beautifully photographed drama is well-played throughout with great conscience without becoming heavy-handed.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. Elpix
    9
    This movie is far better than the critics' ratings. It portrays the range of human emotions that would occur under these circumstances, it demonstrates acceptance and love among cultures that seems bound by stereotypes and mutual distrust. It is a window into the world of Palestinian and Israeli relations.… Expand
  2. GreatMartin
    9
  3. sinadoom
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The most pointless movie ever. Not only is it boring, uneventful, badly directed and too long. But the whole premise of the movie is meaningless. The film is not intented to be an action movie, a romantic film, a thriller, a comedy or to show innovations in film-making; nor does it have a talented cast of well-known actors. It's made to tell a story. Therefore, I'm going to judge it based off its purpose. Even ignoring the badly translated French into English subtitles, and the lifeless direction, I can say this is the worst movie I've ever seen. Clearly, the whole point of the film is to show the characters' emotions in light of the information they've recieved, but these actors are horrible at doing that. What's more, the whole story is completely redunant. So what if you found out you've not been living with your genetic parents? It makes no difference, and any impact is only relevant in the minds of those concerned. It may only have an impact on the emotionally weak. In reality, in practice there is no difference. Any subsequent action or change in behaviour is purely from one's emotional side; no real factors or circumstances are affected. Clearly, this is a film for women who cry all the time and have nothing better to watch.… Expand

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