Mandoob

BRUH! The acting? *chef's kiss* AlDokhi absolutely SLAYED! Like, imagine a YouTuber transforming into this INCREDIBLE actor who can make you laugh and terrified AT THE SAME TIME?! That chase scene? I literally can't even- MY JAW IS STILL ON THE FLOOR!

And can we talk about these VISUALS?! HONEY, THE CINEMATOGRAPHY IS SERVING LOOKS! That elevator scene? ICONIC! And don't even get me started on those fireworks moments - it's like they took pretty and made it PRETTIER!

Sure, the plot might be giving us some Taxi Driver vibes, but make it Saudi and make it FRESH! It's like they took the classic recipe and added their special sauce - AND I'M HERE FOR IT!

Our main character? WHEW! Unhinged from the start but make it fashion! Some people missed the red flags but honey, they were having a PARADE! AlDokhi understood the assignment and DELIVERED IT WITH EXPRESS SHIPPING!

Ok, yes, some scenes were stretched like my patience waiting for pizza delivery, but you know what? I WAS LIVING FOR IT! While some found it boring (bless their hearts), I was eating up every second like it was the last slice of cake!

And about that Riyadh perspective - WERK! Even with its little quirks and that straight-to-the-point ending that hit like a surprise party gone wrong, this movie had me SHOOK in the best way possible!

Taxi Driver meets Nightcrawler on the incessantly rainy streets of Riyadh?!....who would've thought!

A novel glimpse into the gig-economy and colliding worlds of a modern-day Saudi Arabia, told through the eyes of an unhinged delivery driver, selling bootlegged alcohol to fulfil his patriarchal duties as family caretaker.

Lead actor delivers a compelling performance and cinematographer does very well to capture the tension and frenzy of most scenes; a respectable effort from a nascent Saudi movie industry waking up from a 35 year slumber.

That said, director was seemingly overcome by the duration of a feature film, and many peripheral scenes or moments were overly drawn out. The script too was heavily lacking in depth, character development and authenticity. This exacerbated an erratic and seemingly random build-up and dissipation of tension throughout the movie, culminating in a disappointing ending. To make things worse, the subtitling felt like the work of an impubescent first-timer who cared more about flaunting his familiarity with American pie-esque profanity and bro culture, than delfty translating the original Arabic script - apparently an 82 year old History Professor jokes with his son and asks "do you even lift bro?" or in another scene, a cousin tells the lead actor to "calm his tits" when the original script had virtually nothing to do with that in meaning or context. Hard to see this beyond what it is: a publicity stunt showcasing a more "western" Saudi grappling with its "modernity".

Mndoob alil directed by ali alkaltham

Frist of all the Cinematography is fabulous and amazing it's take you to another dimension and make your eyes stick to the screen until the end

The main ideas took a lot from taxi driver but not in a cheap way for me it's better than (taxi driver)

The vibes are very similar to (the joker 2019) and also (taxi driver) and Mohamed aldokhi did a really fine job in the leading role

I'm glad to see this film comes from Saudi Arabia make sure you watch it if you have chance i'm sure you will enjoy it and love it, at least you will never regret watching it xx.

"Mandoob" offers a compelling narrative set, skillfully intertwining themes of desperation and opportunity. The film's strength lies in its portrayal of Fahad Algadaani, a mentally fragile protagonist racing against time to rescue his ailing father. The director adeptly captures the pulse of the city, creating a palpable sense of urgency. However, certain plot elements could have been explored more deeply, leaving room for a richer emotional connection with the characters, and the script is poor with no strong dialogues which left the viewer overthinking about every details which may lead to negative effect on the movie. Furthermore the ending was straight forward with no tension or buildup leaving the audience in shock of how its ended in the peak of the story!

Despite this, "Mandoob" succeeds in delivering a gripping tale that sheds light on the complexities of familial bonds in the face of adversity.

This is a captivating movie that skillfully weaves together a compelling narrative, powerful performances, and stunning cinematography. The well-developed characters and thought-provoking storyline make it a must-watch, showcasing the talent and creativity emerging from the Saudi film industry. The movie reflects a cinematic renaissance within the film industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with Saudi directors and actors emerging strongly onto the artistic and cultural scene. I hope to see more cinematic productions like this in the coming period. The number of films in the artistic scene is still limited, but the ambitious aspirations persist.