jpschapira "The War Within" is creepy. Is creepy if you think about the script and about how someone can write the story of a man so consumed with his thoughts who is capable of looking his best friend in the face and tell him: "I don't expect you to understand what I'm talking about" and then write: "I don't expect you to understand what I'm going to do". It's creepier considering the man who partly wrote the script, Ayad Akhtar, plays that character; and this is his first performance in a full length picture.Don't get me wrong, but this script is too strong for its own good; it becomes hard to empathize with this main character even when we want to. However, his journey is a very interesting and involving tale; even when it's happening completely inside of him. The others in charge of this screenplay were Tom Glynn, who worked with Akhtar before in a short project called "Life Document 2: Identity" about a man's conversion to Islam; and Joseph Castelo, director of the film ("The War Within", let's not loose focus).What a perfect choice of title, I say. And more than appropriate in a movie that makes you think like this one, which begins in obscurity and it ends in obscurity. Castelo handles a world of fear, unspoken words and intense looks with impressive professionalism, aided mainly by David Holmes' simple but effective score (with a lot of influence from Coldplay and popular music) and Lisa Rinzler's cinematography (she has photographed lonely men before; watch "Pollock" and "Love Liza").About performances, well, I would definitely have to see more of Akhtar, but I can assure you his look is so humble and shows a lot of inner pain that you want to cry. There's sadness in his face which is not entirely explained and it makes you want to find out. On the other side, we have Firdous Bamji, an actor with a little more experience, portraying Akhtar's best friend. He plays the character as a man full of love and concern that can't seem to accept deception and has to make decisions with a big amount of effort. Bamji achieves the performance to praise in the picture.Some scenes of "The War Within" really get to you; some conversations that turn into discussions, some love encounters, some lessons given, some actions taken…It's so hard to make a good movie about terrorism these days, because everyone wants to do it. And you know what's even harder? Make one about something that hasn't actually happened.Joseph Castelo does this very well and the best part is that he does it without the clichéd lines, without the stereotyped characters, without the predictable plot lines and without the big explosions.

harropjen The character development here was awesome - I can see why it was a little controversial, with the protagonist being a suicide bomber... But it did such a good job of eliciting support for him. The dramatic change between his beliefs is explained well, I think. The fact that he goes to live with such a pro-American family is also compelling - his beliefs were changed by racism and torture, and he found solace in religion. That development makes it easier to understand how people become so radically religious. (this from a staunch atheist)Wicked, wicked movie. Loved the music, it really helped me to understand the importance or mood of a scene. Some of the filmography was impressive too - really fast moving scenes where you're sort of confused but it goes to character sympathy - it conveys his confusion really well. All in all, I thought this was really well done. Perhaps a bit before its time in the American market, given that the material is sympathetic to terrorists, but I think it's sympathetic to the individual more so than the act of terrorism.

galfriday True, as the New York Times said, there wasn't much subtext, and some opportunities were missed- but I fell into this film and ended up liking it a lot. The actor who plays HASSAN was truly wonderful, with very little dialogue. I felt his pain, and was interested in his journey.And the shots of him walking around New York, wired for action, were truly harrowing. The ending was beautifully done- clearly on a budget, but much more effective- and the family was terrific, in particular the father and the little boy.All the acting was fine, as was the music and the photography. My only beef was with the script, which did feel a bit thin at times, but the STORY itself was compelling indeed.

screenwriter-14 THE WAR WITHIN is a chilling and frightening tale of a Pakistani family torn between the "American dream" and the love and affection for a family member whose religious zeal and goal to destroy America will tear them apart. Joseph Castelo has directed and written a very important film which hopefully will receive a wide audience to educate Americans of the problems we live with today in a "post 9/11/01 United States of America".The film is a contrast between the world of terrorism, and the warmth of a family who attempt to make Hassan feel at home back in America, and to show him what this country has given them, and what America might also do for him, without giving up their Pakistani heritage, but wanting Hassan to adapt and fit in as they have done. And to live a happy and productive life.The final scenes are so dramatic and full of suspense and dread as you hope for a "Hollywood ending", only to find that Hassan's personal WAR WITHIN will lead to something else.America has always been a melting pot and a symbol of hope for those coming to our shores, THE WAR WITHIN is a wonderful example to show an audience that we must still look at diversity as a blessing for America, and not a curse. Thank you Joseph Castelo and Ayad Akhtar for this film.