David & Layla
The delicate blending of oppositions is never an easy task, especially for new filmmakers.  But writer/director Jay Jonroy was determined to do just that in his debut picture.  Based on a true story, David & Layla comes across as a typical Romeo and Juliet romance that endures the pressures of family while challenging the ideals of faith.  Yet, even though Jonroy’s film plays up the humorous side of their conflicts, he also reminds us forget why everyone’s fighting in the first place.
The most interesting thing about David & Layla is Jonroy’s decision to market his film without a distributor.  But, can you really blame him?  Even if it was picked up, most indie distributors are notorious for sitting on films for years before releasing them straight to DVD.  By taking care of his own distribution, Jonroy at least ensures the movie will be seen in theatres.  In the film, David (David Moscow – the young Tom Hanks in Big) hosts a New York public access cable show called “Sex & Happiness” in which he questions the link between spicy foods and a spicy sex life.  Layla (Shiva Rose-McDermott) is a sensuous Middle Eastern woman whose green card is about to run out.  When their paths fatefully cross, David and Layla quickly find their worlds turned upside down.  Naturally, because David & Layla is a romantic comedy, complications are a definite must.  The couple shares an obvious attraction, but there’s a slight problem.  David is already engaged to Abby (Callie Thomas), a self-centered kick boxing instructor, and Layla is betrothed to Dr. Ahmad (Ali Farahnakian), a giant stick-in-the-mud when it comes to romance and sexuality.  And, if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a tiny little matter of religious differences.  Layla is a Kurdish Muslim refugee, and David comes from a devout Jewish family.  Trust me when I say the families couldn’t be more different.  As traditional as David’s parents are, Layla’s uncle Al (Ed Chemaly) radically challenges facets of the Muslim faith.  On one level, David & Layla comes across as a type of “Romeo and Juliet” love story with its feuding families and opposing elements.  Also, while Jonroy is making us laugh at the cultural and religious struggles the couple faces in their new romance, he also gives the film a more serious overtone by referencing the Iraq War and drawing on the historical ongoing clash between the Muslims and the Jews.   Yet, even though Jonroy does manage to filter a little subtext into the plot of David & Layla, the issues addressed only seem to scratch the surface of the conflicts at hand.  Part of the problem is that we never really get the chance to identify with any of the characters.  Because Jonroy’s camera stays omnisciently objective throughout most of the film, the visual separation disconnects us from the intended emotional impact Jonroy is trying to convey.  Another problem is the issue of conflicting messages.  For example, David is a self-proclaimed agnostic, who regularly attends temple with his family, and continues to practice Jewish traditions, yet he has a hard time letting go of his Jewish “faith” in order to marry Layla.  Is David really agnostic?  Or, is Jonroy just trying to weave too many ambiguities into one character?  At times, it’s hard to tell.  As far as the acting is concerned, it’s not horrible, but it’s not great either.  Like I said earlier, the characters of David and Layla are just too inconsistent.  The secondary characters however, are another story.  Polly Adams’ portrayal of David’s overly concerned, stereotypical New York Jewish mother is dead on.   Peter Van Wagner as David’s philandering father Mel and Will Janowitz as his flamboyant brother Woody are good for a chuckle or two.  Overall, Jonroy has created an engaging film.  Although it’s characters need a little more development, their romantic obstacles are entertaining enough to peak your interest.  If your week was anything like the one I had last week and you’re in need of some distraction, a 2 hour visit to the local indie multiplex to see David & Layla is worth checking out.  Life is short and fate is fickle…take it for what it’s worth.  © Kelly Bartley 2007
Release Date:	September 7, 2007
Running Time:	1 hr. 48 min.
MPAA Rating:	R (sexual content, some language, brief drug material)
Distributor:	Jeff Lipsky (USA theatrical), Newroz Films