So-So Review from NYT Why?
I think that influential critic A.O. Scott gave this wonderful film a mediocre review because of its slant on the U.N - Israeli situation. The husband worked for the U.N. peacekeeping in Gaza and the Israelis are shown to be VERY militant and unfeeling. I think Mr. Scott, who is Jewish, would not have approved of this characterization or the movie's perspective.
The movie was magnificent-- subtle, poignant, beautifully acted, rich, evocative-- but because of its point of view it was marginalized by the Times. What a shame. Other sources raved about it. It was a genuine love story.