My Uncle Rafael

My wife and I just saw a preview of My Uncle Rafael and what a pleasant surprise. Well written, acted and directed we found ourselves laughing out loud many times. The main plot involves an Armenian family and how they get mixed up in an American Television pilot for a reality TV show. The movie begins with Uncle Rafael an Armenian immigrant taking a course in English so he can better communicate and we are slowly introduced to the rest of his family all trying to make a good life in Glendale California.Vashik Pirhamzei does a great job portraying both Uncle Rafael and the smooth-talking son,Hamo.As the movie progresses we meet all sorts of characters with all sorts of motives for the success of this television show. John Michael Higgins is hilarious as a sleazy lawyer and Austin Robert Butler is an outstanding young actor at only 10 years old. All the acting is excellent; you would never guess that this movie was made for only $800,000! The director and editor, Marc Fusco did an outstanding job. If you're looking for an unpretentious pleasant movie going experience, you won't be disappointed.

Despite an unlikely sitcom scenario of an Armenian fish WAY out of water who winds up in a typically-dysfunctional American family, My Uncle Rafael is packed with charm. A talented cast headed by writer-actor Vahik Pirhamzei delivers consistent laughs, smiles, and moments of culture-clashing nervous excitement. John Michael Higgins gives a laugh-out-loud performance as a scumbag husband/attorney you'll love to hate -- if this were a bigger studio movie, he would be getting huge buzz off this performance for sure. Doe-eyed Rachel Blanchard is a pleasure to watch as well; the camera loves her. Well worth grabbing on cable or DVD.

This film shot around my home town of Glendale earlier this year. I was invited to a screening and I was really impressed. It was very endearing and funny. Lots of good casting and comedic acting. I have been a big fan of Vahik for years and he was very funny. The rest of the American cast was really funny too. The Hollywood film community and the local Armenian community came together to make this film and its the first time Armenian cast and characters is featured in a Hollywood film. My wife and I really enjoyed it we hope to see it in the theater again. Great family movie for both Armenian and American families. Hoping the soundtrack comes out soon. Armenchik is great! Will see it again in theaters I hope.

"My Uncle Rafael" is a perfect example of the amazing talents involved in independent movies! We rent a lot of independent movies and are rarely disappointed in them, and "My Uncle Rafael" is one of our very top favorites. We thoroughly enjoyed every second of this movie - from beginning to end. All the actors are great! (Another hilarious role for John Michael Higgins!) We loved every actor/character in this film! The storyline is great - very creative! The editing is great - not a dull moment! We truly loved this movie from beginning to end! "My Uncle Rafael" is better than any mainstream movie we rented this year! Great family film! Very highly recommended!

I really loved this movie.

I had never heard of this movie, but I went with some friends tonight.

As soon as the movie started i couldn't stop laughing. Its been a while since there has been a movie that has made me laugh like that.

I really enjoyed it, and appreciated the humour. The movie is really funny and actually has an important underlying message - the importance of family.

Bonus was coming out of the theatre and the main actor; Vahik was there greeting everyone who saw the film.

I definitely recommend this movie