Lessons to be learned in this little film about the Middle East that captures the issues and points out the problems. The solution may not be possible, but getting to it looks like the filmmaker had a whole lot of fun. The dramedy features a fine cast, able direction and a pie-in-the-sky story that may not be too farfetched. Open up your mind and sit back while you watch a truly wicked Bordering on Bad Behavior.
Ari an Israeli soldier from the elite Golani Brigade gets assigned to a desk job at a top secret station in Israel near the Lebanon border. The commander of the unit is Bob a Captain in the American Army who’s scheduled to leave his post in one day. The two are immediately at odds with each other due to Ari’s attitude toward Americans and being demoted to a job he feels insignificant. After a few tiffs and a some choice words between the two, Ari calms down and settles in for the day.
A short time later Baz, a Lebanese citizen from Australia visiting his family in Lebanon, wanders into the Israeli top secret communications base after getting lost on a border patrol. When he enters the cottage he accidently sets off a mandatory lock-down of the room for 6 hours. So begins a crazy night with three opposites trapped with no way out till morning.
The film moves along at a fast pace while Director Jac Mulder shows the conflicting personalities of the three men, the desire of the Lebanese and Israeli trying to kill each other and the American playing arbitrator. While Mulder embraces a serious subject, he uses the folly of the conflict between nations to pose his dark comedy. It works well with each of the characters learning the idiosyncrasies of the disagreements that have caused fighting between their nations.
It’s been a whirlwind for Tom Sizemore completing over 30 films in the past three years. One of those, this film Bordering on Bad Behavior. He’s perfectly cast for the role of the half-baked Captain and that’s a good thing as he’s a good actor for the catalyst and mediator that makes the story work. There’s a lot of drinking, drug smoking and some poignant lines and Sizemore has that kind of persona. He’s at his best here blowing minds and turning the tables during the trapped hours.
Bernard Curry and Oz Zehavi are the opposing forces that get slammed shut inside the base with an American Officer on the day before his retirement. Curry, a well-known Australian actor, takes on the role of Baz the Lebanese who walks into the Israeli communications shack. He’s just visiting Lebanon with his wife, but he’s still in Aussi Army mode having just completed his term. Tough and ready to fight the Israeli, but being trapped with him enough happens to give him second thoughts.
Taking on the role of the “mad at the world” Israeli, Zehavi works his character Ari into a determined opposite of Baz. Reduced to working at the communications shack, coming from the ranks of the most rigid army unit and with personal issues concerning the Arab Nation, he’s a handful for Captain Bob. Fairly new to the big screen, but with a few more films under his belt Zehavi should have a good career in the movie field.
Bordering on Bad Behavior has not been rated by the MPAA but contains violence, profuse language, sexual inferences and drug use. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for adolescents.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A comical look at the social and political issues of the Mideast. (B-)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Bernard Curry, Tom Sizemore, Oz Zehavi, Kym Jackson
Director: Jac Mulder
MPAA Rating: Not rated but contains violence, drugs, sexual references and abusive language
Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama
Running Time: 1 hr. 24 min
Original Theatrical Release Date: January 15, 2015
Video Release Date: May 19, 2015
Language: English, Hebrew, Arabic
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Surround Sound 5.1
Video: Widescreen 16×9 Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Inception Media Group
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
