Ashab wala Aaz

I wish there was more originality in the first Netflix Arab film. A copied version of a movie that's been already copied and pasted several times within the last few years isn't something original.

A good dialogue could've made this better. However the dialogue is unrealistic, awkward and cringy. Yes many Arabs are heavy drinkers and gay and promiscuous and these topics need to be discussed, but just throwing them there in the script without any sophistication doesn't make this movie any better.

Please- we need more original work that is realistic even if it's controversial. This film was silly and insulting to anyone's intelligence. The acting was excellent though. 4/10.

A very nice Egyptian-Lebanese production. Breaks a lot of taboos found in the Arab world.

Great dialogue, very amusing music, good directing. Roles are played to perfection. The setting, décor and camera is adding up to the suspens and the build up of the stories.

Set in just one location, great use of the different places in it.

I loved the original movie, but I was a little disappointed in this version, copying and pasting the same script isn't a good idea when the cultures differ, it would have been more creative to add a little originality to the script. Aside from that the actors did a great job.. enjoyable movie.

I'm a big fan of the original Italian movie to an extent that I can memorize all of its dialogues and reactions, so I was extremely excited as an Arab to see this movie.

What's wrong with this Arabic version? Well, the overall ambiance and cinematography were so good, with some interesting adjustments ( the traditional Arabic dishes for example) , the actors fitted perfectly with their original peers, but this wasn't enough unfortunately. Mona Zaki's performance was horrible with all that screaming and overreacting, she ruined the whole movie. The reactions were immature, you keep waiting for the characters to express a specific feeling, but they fail to do so. In general, it's not even comparable to the Italian movie and I still wonder how can Nadine Labaki be involved in such a movie without being the director? Pretty sure she could take it to another level of proficiency if she was the director.

Having friends for Dinner is generally a good idea. Laying all the cards on the table (relationship wise) and hoping the secrets each individual is holding back will not "ruin" the party ... well that is just plain ridiculous. And not thought through one might add.

Having said that and if you can suspend your disbelief and work with the cliches we are presented, the actors are doing their best. We have some lighter moments, but also a lot of darker moments, that overshadow a lot. Depending on your mood and how you will take and interpret things ... well every end is a beginning. And every beginning is an ... end? Not sure about that one. Anyway, be prepared for a lot of dialog and a lot of "exposure" (not physical that is)...