User reviews

I have yet to watch a film with Barkhad Abdi I didn't like. With all the recent terrible movies, this was a breath of fresh air. It was a simple, uncomplicated film with a decent storyline and good acting. Glad I stumbled onto it. 6 stars.

People who work outside their countries, i.e., expats are at an alarming level in the middle east. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia being the highest ratio in the WORLD. Having said that, the aspirations and emotional prerogatives are incomparable with the expat situation in the rest of the world. This is a region where an expat's life is 100% rented out; emotionally and physically. The only region in the world where there is no entrance into a citizenship - once an expat, always an expat.

The film portrays "this" unique situation, being an expat, with aspirations that can never be explained, except on film.

A fair and accurate representation, well done; Abdi is believable, and the rest I guess are just there; and the pace of the screenplay is a direct portrayal of what really goes on "Beneath a sea of lights".

In general, the movie was quite good but surly doesn't deserve less than 6 stars! Barkhad Abdi was super duper talented actor and he definitely deserves more than a few countable films to be in. The film has a really comforting directing and just remind me of the beautiful Dubai.

However, I didn't like that there was so many Indian actors and just felt that the film has been filmed in Mumbai! No offence but the film was in Dubai and at least there should have been more other nationalities.

After all, I think the story was not that strong but the ending was really very peaceful. I just liked it the way it was!

I really like the actor Barkhad Abdi I hope he gets some better scripts to work with

Below average. Not a very good execution also Not a good story either. overall I did not enjoy this.

Another reviewer wrote this was a low budget movie with bad actors. It's a thing I didn't get. I didn't see any bad acting at all. On the contrary I thought Barkhad Abdi and Jim Sarbh, the two main characters, did a good job. The only thing that didn't look real was a fight between them, but all the rest was more than decent. The movie isn't fast paced but it isn't really necessary to tell this story. It's a recognizable story about people trying to get by, both in their own way, in a country where luxuary is omnipresent. I thought it was worth a watch. I've seen thousands of worse movies so I'm not going to complain about this one at all.

This is a low budget film intended to show the struggle of migrant workers in Dubai who try to eke out a living while they themselves live at the poverty live in the midst of glitz and glamor. It fails miserably, due to poor acting and a very childishly written script. One cant help but feel this must be a film made as a tax write off. The lead actor speaks with an American accent that initially sounded like it was dubbed (but it wasn't). The other actors are B grade actors who bring this to the level of an improvised or high school level production.

It is similar to The White Tiger except that it is much better well written, more realistic, and with a more positive message.

Without going into spoilers, I just like to point out a lot of the film is symbolism. If you just take everything for what is shown, it is a straight up story. But when you look at the meaning of the characters, you'll realize this whole story is about a person's inner struggle between right and wrong.

Abdi fills the role of a struggling immigrant in Dubai, warring between paying for his mom's hospital bills and material things. It's a decent story of character and integrity - but it doesn't really grip you...it's like a lazy river tale.

It's a children's story about right and wrong. Don't be fooled by other reviews urging you to search for a deeper meaning. This is not a portrayal of an immigrants life, it's just an extremely simple tale being acted out in an incredibly basic way by b-rated actors that could have taken place anywhere by people of all different layers of society. I think you can summarize the entire movie with a Stones song: 'You can't always get what you want'.

The acting. Good god, the acting. Even with a script that feels like it was written by a 13 year old these guys can't pull off one convincing line and any chemistry between the main characters was hard to find. Reading other people's praises about these so called actors baffles me.

The cinematography was mediocre at best. There were a few good shots; nothing memorable really. Same goes for the soundtrack, which is bloated with dramatic vibes which try to hide the fact that there's absolutely nothing going on.

I have no idea who the target audience for this laughable attempt at a compelling story is but I'd recommend anyone with half a brain to stay far away from this.

The plot and the storytelling style is very good. Acting is brilliant too. Overall artistic and technical execution - specially editing and music is very filmic.

A must watch for 'good film' lovers.

This movie is the real meaning of the fantasy life in Dubai and how people fall prey to it. Barkhad Abdi's performance as always was a blinder! The other guy who acted with him was also brilliant. It really gets into your skin and makes you think if you really made a wise decision of leaving your motherland, just for this so called 'fantasy world of Dubai' to make money. Highly recommended! Total Gem!

90 minute slow rollercoaster, with a touch of humanity at the end of the ride. Believably acted, with a director that let the actors be what is really happening all us. No filter, there is right and wrong.

The things you own, end up owning you. Ask Tyler Durden.

A breath of fresh air. A new and fresh movie with great actors. A fair portrayal of expats living in the Middle East countries. Yearning for a social status which is rarely achieved. Great story Jim Sarbh was brilliant in his role.

A great insight. Great story. Beautiful Cinematography.

Brilliant, was engaged the whole time. The story line was amazing. Cinematography was wonderful. Would 100% recommend

A favorite in my book

I really enjoyed this film. I like the way the main character was portrayed, a decent, honest individual. It showed how desperate people can become and how easily it is to blinded by the wealth and glitz of Dubai. Barkhad Abdi was excellent in it. Definitely one to watch!