The Other Son

Name: The Other Son
Genre: Drama
Released: October 26, 2012
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 63

2012

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

See All

6.9

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.9	Your Score
6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Movie Details & Credits

Cohen Media Group | Release Date: October 26, 2012 | PG-13

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 upside-down, forcing them to reassess theirAs 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 upside-down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, their values and their beliefs. (Cohen Media Group)… Expand

Director: Lorraine Levy

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 105 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

Oct 24, 2012

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. Read full review

Joe Williams

Oct 26, 2012

Some may scoff when the boys exhibit traits and interests derived from the biological parents they never knew, but The Other Son is such a disarming feat that cynics will get left at the checkpoint. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

Nov 18, 2012

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. Read full review

Louis Black

Dec 12, 2012

Cinematically well-made, The Other Son is nevertheless workmanlike. The actors are all excellent, the storytelling compassionate, and the overall sense one takes from the film is more humane than political. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Oct 25, 2012

This beautifully photographed drama is well-played throughout with great conscience without becoming heavy-handed. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Oct 25, 2012

Ms. Levy's film gets to say affecting things about the mysteries of identity, and the ironies of ancient enmity. If we can assume, from the nature of the premise, that Joseph and Yacine will soon accept their situation and become friends, we can also assume, from the course of history, that the Israelis and Palestinians will continue to resist doing the same. Read full review

Simon Abrams

Oct 23, 2012

Ham-fisted dialogue and clichéd characterizations trump genuine chemistry in The Other Son, a contrived Franco-Israeli drama about two 18-year-olds, an Israeli and a Palestinian, accidentally switched at birth. Read full review

SEE ALL 18 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Mixed:

User Reviews

Miriam1051

Oct 5, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I would like to congratulate the director, the cast an the writer of The Other Son.
With such a touchy issue, they all manage to deliver a good entertainment film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Elpix

Feb 1, 2013

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 andThis 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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

GreatMartin

Oct 29, 2012

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

fiora95

Jan 10, 2014

I really don't like this movie. 'Joseph' one of the protagonists didn't act well, he recited very badly, full stop. However the story is enough good made.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

sinadoom

Apr 11, 2013

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 5 REVIEWS