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David and Layla (2006)

Director: Jay Jonroy

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Movie review

From Time Out New York

Jewish-American David (Moscow), a local cable-TV personality, and stateless Kurdish-Muslim dancer Layla (Rose) meet cute in multiethnic Brooklyn. But when they fall for each other, their families freak out. Can true love overcome religious differences and ethnic shtick? First-time writer-director Jay Jonroy’s credibility and intentions are beyond reproach: He lost relatives under Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, fled Kurdistan as a teenager and found inspiration in the successful marriage of a Jewish-American/Muslim-Kurdish couple he met in Paris. But Jonroy’s movie never jells. The pratfalls, earnest discussions of genocide and cultural myopia, oy vey Jewish stereotypes and opening dedication to murdered kin coexist uneasily and overshadow his sharp eye for visual detail.

Author: Maitland McDonagh 2008-02-12 18:41:12

Time Out New York Issue 646: February 14–20, 2008

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User reviews of this film

  • Joy Radish said...
    Posted on Jan 17 2009 16:23 In "David and Layla", writer/director Jay Jonroy has crafted a film that bursts with practical idealism regarding how people coming from two vastly different cultural/religious backgrounds come to accept, if not "understand" one another. Jonroy is dealing with fire in many ways, but manages to create a story that is personal, allowing the universal themes to be brought down to Earth, intimately. I've never seen a film that makes New York City look so unbelievably alive, raw, and romantic: the music, colors, "incidental" street scenes, vastly diverse and quirky cast are not to be missed. It's as if Moliere wrote a farce with a well-needed political punch.
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  • geoff said...
    Posted on Jan 16 2009 17:18 David & Layla is a grab bag assortment of humor, romance, and politics unlike anything I've seen. There's something for everyone as the film seamlessly transcends genres, ethnicities, and emotions.
    The lead actress, Shiva Rose, turns in a beautifully inspired performance and the cinematography, editing, & original score are top-notch. The script is witty and poignant with genuinely engaging characters. Highly recommended.
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  • GCFactor21 said...
    Posted on Dec 31 2008 18:19 David & Layla can be best described Woody Allen with a contemporary cultural twist. That is a feat hard to pull off, and on that basis, I think New York-based filmmaker Jay Jonroy does a bang-up job with his first feature. It got the goods: acid-tongued one-liners ("You are our guest! No one's going to Google you!" and "She's an orphan?!" ..a few zingers that spring to mind that would make Paul Rudnick jealous), razor sharp observations of cultural differences, and a game cast...Shiva Rose is sizzling, Will Janowitz from "The Sopranos" shines as David's gay brother in the hilarious dinner scene, and Callie Thorne (Rescue Me) steals every minute shes in as David's jilted fiance.
    Let's face it: a Jewish-Muslim romance in lesser hands runs the risk of being a cringe-inducing, six years too late MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING ripoff. But Jonroy knows where to find the humor and really gives titular leads a lot of great material to work with. David Moscow (yes, the one who starred opposite Christian Bale in NEWSIES...he may not have Bale's flawlessly chiseled physique but he can still carry a picture with his boyish charm.) And back to BIG FAT GREEK comparison..Shiva is more of an eye candy than that Nia Vardalos) I think Jonroy made a smart move and casted two well-known but not totally recognizable leads for D & L; this really plays up the "Based on a True Story" aspect of the film and grounds the story in a very real NYC. All in all, Jonroy has lovingly crafted a palatable/ believable love story that doesn't insult its audience. I have no doubt it will find its audience with its DVD release.
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David and Layla

Cast & crew

Director: Jay Jonroy

Cast: David Moscow, Peter Van Wagner, Callie Thorne, Shiva Rose full cast

Rated: R

Duration: 106 mins

US Release: Feb 15 2008


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