I don't see why the critic reviews for this are so low, they put me off watching it initially but I'm glad I saw it eventually. It actually starts off really strong with a great setup featuring Zooey Deschanel who I'm not the biggest fan of but her scenes were very funny and her chemistry with Murray was quite good. The plot centres around Bill Murray playing a washed up music manager who ends up booking a tour of Afghanistan with his only decent act played by Dechanel. Once they arrive in the Middle East things don't exactly go as planned and some unlikely antics ensue to varying comic effect. Bruce Willis and Kate Hudson both appear but the real star of the show is obviously Bill Murray, and while this isn't his best work he's still charming and entertaining and manages to elevate the proceedings enough to keep things fun. I laughed intermittently throughout but I did find the beginning to be the strongest and thought that by the end it had lost a little bit of steam but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. I definitely recommend giving it a watch if you like Bill Murray or if you're a fan of adult comedies that don't rely on raunchy humour for laughs.
77 Reviews
It's a Wild World Out There...So Get On Board the Peace Train
LeonLouisRicci1 April 2016
There was No Way that this Little Film was going to Escape Controversy. No Matter what Your Political Stripe or Country of Origin, it was Inevitable that in this Noble Effort there were bound to be Things that Offend, Outrage, and Disappoint.
"Tradition is the illusion of permanence.".......Woody Allen
No Doubt, in the Far Future, Our Current Time with its Borders, Language Barriers, Religious Differences, and general overall Mistrust and Hatred for Anything or Anyone "Different", will be Studied and most likely Viewed with much Wonder and Amazement, along with Anger and Pity.
We can take some sort of Solace knowing that our Current Paradigms and Dogmas will eventually be Tempered by the Winds and Sands of Time. In the Meantime the Mind Boggling and Hurtful ways We go about our "Business" of Everyday Life in the 21st Century, You Either Laugh or Cry.
Director Barry Levinson and Bill Murray choose to Laugh. Or to be more Precise, try and make Us Laugh. The Movie has been Destroyed by the Critics and One Wonders what any of Them have done Lately to find some path to "Peace in the Middle East".
Overall, the Film is Worth a Watch for its Heart and Intent. It Deserves a Hearing, just on its Effort alone. Whether You Find it Funny, Pertinent, Poignant, or Pathetic, it's at least Trying to ride the Peace Train in a Wild World.
"Tradition is the illusion of permanence.".......Woody Allen
No Doubt, in the Far Future, Our Current Time with its Borders, Language Barriers, Religious Differences, and general overall Mistrust and Hatred for Anything or Anyone "Different", will be Studied and most likely Viewed with much Wonder and Amazement, along with Anger and Pity.
We can take some sort of Solace knowing that our Current Paradigms and Dogmas will eventually be Tempered by the Winds and Sands of Time. In the Meantime the Mind Boggling and Hurtful ways We go about our "Business" of Everyday Life in the 21st Century, You Either Laugh or Cry.
Director Barry Levinson and Bill Murray choose to Laugh. Or to be more Precise, try and make Us Laugh. The Movie has been Destroyed by the Critics and One Wonders what any of Them have done Lately to find some path to "Peace in the Middle East".
Overall, the Film is Worth a Watch for its Heart and Intent. It Deserves a Hearing, just on its Effort alone. Whether You Find it Funny, Pertinent, Poignant, or Pathetic, it's at least Trying to ride the Peace Train in a Wild World.
Enjoyable non-blockbuster
tonybluegoat24 October 2015
This movie will be horrible for people who expect every movie to be like Independence Day, The Martian and Star Wars. This isn't a block buster. It's a simple movie about a simple story with a raw cut feel. There are no fiery explosions. It's an interesting story with characters that are cliché but real cliché.
Bill Murray gave a good performance and it wasn't phoned in. I enjoyed it. It felt to me like a 2nd (and better) attempt at a Lost in Translation type story. My guess is that most people will want to catch this on Netflix or On-Demand, which is fine. There is no particular reason to see this on the big screen, but it is a decent film to watch.
Bill Murray gave a good performance and it wasn't phoned in. I enjoyed it. It felt to me like a 2nd (and better) attempt at a Lost in Translation type story. My guess is that most people will want to catch this on Netflix or On-Demand, which is fine. There is no particular reason to see this on the big screen, but it is a decent film to watch.
A film inspired by the courage of Setara Hussainzada
RodrigAndrisan11 July 2016
Have you heard of 'AFGHAN IDOL' ? No? What about "The most hated woman in Afghanistan"? Her true name is Setara Hussainzada. Why is she the most hated woman in Afghanistan? Because she dared to sing and dance in the TV final of her country's version of American Idol. During her sedate routine, her headscarf slipped, showing her hair and outraging the war-torn country's religious fundamentalists. This film is inspired by this. And it deserves more than 5.5 stars. Leem Lubany is very good as Salima, the character inspired by Setara. Bill Murray is very good as her manager, Richie Lanz. Bruce Willis as Bombay Brian, Kate Hudson as Merci and Zooey Deschanel as Ronnie, are efficient too. Great music, great film.
"Rock the Kasbah" is entertaining, but won't exactly rock your world.
dave-mcclain23 October 2015
Rock the Kasbah. That three word phrase can mean different things to different people, depending on their personal pop culture awareness and even where they were born. The word Kasbah, which is sometimes spelled with a "c" and sometimes with a "q", traditionally refers to a fortress or a fortified portion of a Muslim city, but can also mean an older section of such a city. Kasbahs are mainly found in North Africa and, apparently, someone named Shareef doesn't like it when you rock a casbah. That's what "The Clash" told us in their 1982 hit song "Rock the Casbah". Those words (with that "c"-spelling) have also been used as the title of a 2013 French-Moroccan dramatic film and another from Israel in 2012. (There was also an American musical in 1948 that simply used the one-word title: "Casbah".) "Rock the Casbah" also happens to be the name of an annual star-studded L.A. party hosted by Virgin Airlines CEO, Sir Richard Branson, and his mother, Eve, to raise money for charitable work in
North Africa. So, now that we've come full circle, it's time to add another casbah/kasbah/qasbah reference to the list – the 2015 Bill Murray comedy "Rock the Kasbah" (R, 1:40), which takes place in
Afghanistan.
Murray plays Richie Lanz, a washed-up Southern California music promoter, overflowing with stories of his relationships with famous rock musicians, but short on recent success. He's even desperate enough to commit cover singer Ronnie Smiler (Zooey Deschanel), the only real client he has left, to a USO tour of American military bases in Afghanistan. Richie literally doesn't know what he's gotten himself into. When reality sets in, Ronnie leaves the country, along with Richie's money and his passport. With no cash, no identification and a two-week wait for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to get him a new passport, he needs other American civilians living in Afghanistan to help him survive until he can get out.
The expats whom Richie meets are quite the colorful cast of characters. Popular local American-born prostitute, Merci (Kate Hudson), helps Richie out in a number of different ways. (She pronounces her name "Mercy" and is a worldly wise, but sexy-spiritual character.) Then, there's Bombay Brian (Bruce Willis), who is a cross between a mercenary and a very well-armed security guard for hire. Danny McBride and Scott Caan are ammo suppliers, named Nick and Jake, who are making a financial killing, while helping anyone with the money make some literal ones. Richie also gets some much-needed transportation services, street knowledge, cultural education and translation services (not to mention friendship and good advice) from a kind, young Disco-loving local cab driver named Riza (Arian Moayed).
Since he has nowhere to go and nothing to do at the moment, Nick and Jake literally toss Richie a pile of cash to make an ammo delivery to local tribal chief Tariq Khan (Fahim Fazli). Brian is there for security, Riza to translate and Richie for his deal-brokering experience. Richie and Riza end up spending the night in the chief's home. Late at night, while outside taking care of some personal business, Richie hears the beautiful voice of Traiq's daughter Salima (Leem Lubany) singing in the distance. She's inside a cave because women in her culture are not permitted to sing in public. Richie entering the cave scares her off, but the next morning, she hears Richie praising her voice while talking to her father, and she stows away in the trunk of Riza's taxi as he drives Richie back to Kabul. Richie is so enchanted by Salima's singing voice – and the opportunity to manage her – that he uses all his charm and skills to try to get her on the very popular reality TV show "Afghan Star", which is the local equivalent of "American Idol". Performing is Salima's dream and she also sees it as a way to praise Allah, but Allah's other followers in the area see things differently. By helping Salima, Richie and Riza have endangered their lives and hers – and given an opening to a rival leader who thinks Tariq is too soft and would like to replace him as chief.
"Rock the Kasbah" is inspired by the true story of a young female singer in Afghanistan but it's also a Bill Murray comedy. The advertising tries to bill this movie as a return to comedic form for Murray. There's definitely some of that smarmy, irreverent humor that made Murray famous in the early 1980s, but not as much as you might think based on the trailers. The film is an entertaining mix of Murray-esque comedic situations, war-time satire, social commentary and old Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam songs. The main characters are generally likable, while the situations are only pseudo-realistic, but the movie is often charming and amusing, if not laugh-out-loud funny. The main problem with the film is that the script, directing and performances soft pedal both the comedy and the drama in an attempt to have it both ways. "Rock the Kasbah" may be worth a look, but don't expect it to rock your world. "B"
Murray plays Richie Lanz, a washed-up Southern California music promoter, overflowing with stories of his relationships with famous rock musicians, but short on recent success. He's even desperate enough to commit cover singer Ronnie Smiler (Zooey Deschanel), the only real client he has left, to a USO tour of American military bases in Afghanistan. Richie literally doesn't know what he's gotten himself into. When reality sets in, Ronnie leaves the country, along with Richie's money and his passport. With no cash, no identification and a two-week wait for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to get him a new passport, he needs other American civilians living in Afghanistan to help him survive until he can get out.
The expats whom Richie meets are quite the colorful cast of characters. Popular local American-born prostitute, Merci (Kate Hudson), helps Richie out in a number of different ways. (She pronounces her name "Mercy" and is a worldly wise, but sexy-spiritual character.) Then, there's Bombay Brian (Bruce Willis), who is a cross between a mercenary and a very well-armed security guard for hire. Danny McBride and Scott Caan are ammo suppliers, named Nick and Jake, who are making a financial killing, while helping anyone with the money make some literal ones. Richie also gets some much-needed transportation services, street knowledge, cultural education and translation services (not to mention friendship and good advice) from a kind, young Disco-loving local cab driver named Riza (Arian Moayed).
Since he has nowhere to go and nothing to do at the moment, Nick and Jake literally toss Richie a pile of cash to make an ammo delivery to local tribal chief Tariq Khan (Fahim Fazli). Brian is there for security, Riza to translate and Richie for his deal-brokering experience. Richie and Riza end up spending the night in the chief's home. Late at night, while outside taking care of some personal business, Richie hears the beautiful voice of Traiq's daughter Salima (Leem Lubany) singing in the distance. She's inside a cave because women in her culture are not permitted to sing in public. Richie entering the cave scares her off, but the next morning, she hears Richie praising her voice while talking to her father, and she stows away in the trunk of Riza's taxi as he drives Richie back to Kabul. Richie is so enchanted by Salima's singing voice – and the opportunity to manage her – that he uses all his charm and skills to try to get her on the very popular reality TV show "Afghan Star", which is the local equivalent of "American Idol". Performing is Salima's dream and she also sees it as a way to praise Allah, but Allah's other followers in the area see things differently. By helping Salima, Richie and Riza have endangered their lives and hers – and given an opening to a rival leader who thinks Tariq is too soft and would like to replace him as chief.
"Rock the Kasbah" is inspired by the true story of a young female singer in Afghanistan but it's also a Bill Murray comedy. The advertising tries to bill this movie as a return to comedic form for Murray. There's definitely some of that smarmy, irreverent humor that made Murray famous in the early 1980s, but not as much as you might think based on the trailers. The film is an entertaining mix of Murray-esque comedic situations, war-time satire, social commentary and old Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam songs. The main characters are generally likable, while the situations are only pseudo-realistic, but the movie is often charming and amusing, if not laugh-out-loud funny. The main problem with the film is that the script, directing and performances soft pedal both the comedy and the drama in an attempt to have it both ways. "Rock the Kasbah" may be worth a look, but don't expect it to rock your world. "B"
Musical Ambassador Bridges Religion and Politics
AudioFileZ7 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This is a Bill Murray movie. It's a Billy Murray comedy. It is also not a comedy in that it's about the brick walls and fears between Eastern and Western deeply formed norms. Both cultures have had some customs steeped in things very wrong, one slowly evolved to embrace needed changes and it isn't easy because it goes on today. The other culture is stuck in a stew of religious based fervor and long-standing tradition of which it struggles to allow any change. That struggle has come to the more developed world at large now and it is particularly messy because it includes much terrorism linked to it all regardless of what groups inside these Eastern countries are actually directly involved. I say all of this because for all the Bill Murray comedy this movie has a poignant side with a heart as it tells a fictitious story of two cultures clashing with a desperate man trying to save his career against a thousand years of strongly held beliefs against which he's oblivious to. This is a kind of land mine in a movie blending something beneath so subversive to a nation that actually could be a sea change for the better of that nation and the larger world. Music has a magic ability to transcend so much as witnessed by the fact that in the early sixties Motown brought a quantum shift in making music colorblind. So, for all the comedy there is something here that isn't funny at all, something that's bigger.
Bill Murray is playing a role he's well suited for at his age, that of a music manager well past his shelf life struggling for one more chance to get not just his career, but his life, back. He's devolved into something that only dire straights can create and he's perfect for it. In his current situation he's an arrest away from criminal fraud and in this he thinks he gets a break to take his only "talent" to perform in Afghanistan. With Murray we know nothing can be easy so it's 100% predictable after this setup that when the movie really gets going so do new troubles that make his old troubles seem pretty good in comparison. His talent flees, she steals his passport and money, and being his meal ticket he's got nothing and is in a very hostile country he can't even leave.
In this morass we get some A-List co-stars that are obliviously on board (i.e. this ain't a blockbuster, nor is it intended to be) because they love Bill. Richie Lenz (Murray) is in a bad way and, of course, it attracts some over-the-top crazies. Crazees include Danny McBride and Bruce Willis doing what they do best. It adds some color to be sure even if they don't have maximum screen time. At first I thought Kate Hudson was just not right for her role, a high-end hooker making a final nest egg where it's easy pickins', but she's great on camera so just roll with it as they say. As Murray is just trying to get some dough to exit the country he finds something he believes is special. Think of it as the next Adele, which is like the next Celine Dion, but in Afghanistan women singing is totally taboo. He gets her because she thinks it's destined and, somehow she becomes a contestant on the Afghan version of American Idol. This is the middle part and what happens next is Murray stretching out beyond his comedy chops as he does well when given that role. Is it believable? Well, I wouldn't bet against the power of music as a bridge which allows two disparate sides to finally meet.
Bill Murray is playing a role he's well suited for at his age, that of a music manager well past his shelf life struggling for one more chance to get not just his career, but his life, back. He's devolved into something that only dire straights can create and he's perfect for it. In his current situation he's an arrest away from criminal fraud and in this he thinks he gets a break to take his only "talent" to perform in Afghanistan. With Murray we know nothing can be easy so it's 100% predictable after this setup that when the movie really gets going so do new troubles that make his old troubles seem pretty good in comparison. His talent flees, she steals his passport and money, and being his meal ticket he's got nothing and is in a very hostile country he can't even leave.
In this morass we get some A-List co-stars that are obliviously on board (i.e. this ain't a blockbuster, nor is it intended to be) because they love Bill. Richie Lenz (Murray) is in a bad way and, of course, it attracts some over-the-top crazies. Crazees include Danny McBride and Bruce Willis doing what they do best. It adds some color to be sure even if they don't have maximum screen time. At first I thought Kate Hudson was just not right for her role, a high-end hooker making a final nest egg where it's easy pickins', but she's great on camera so just roll with it as they say. As Murray is just trying to get some dough to exit the country he finds something he believes is special. Think of it as the next Adele, which is like the next Celine Dion, but in Afghanistan women singing is totally taboo. He gets her because she thinks it's destined and, somehow she becomes a contestant on the Afghan version of American Idol. This is the middle part and what happens next is Murray stretching out beyond his comedy chops as he does well when given that role. Is it believable? Well, I wouldn't bet against the power of music as a bridge which allows two disparate sides to finally meet.
Getting lost in your own ambition
rm-0725411 June 2016
For a movie with an interesting plot, and enough well known talents to have you assume the best, this movie seems to get lost in itself.
The film starts off with a story that will make you want to know more and characters that you want to see grow in front of your own eyes. I was intrigued by all of this and was excited to see what would happen to all of these people.
The story starts off well executed and with a simple yet surprisingly fun story.
But somewhere around the halfway point, the movie does a U-turn. Taking back everything that it made you grow attached to. With the story, the characters and even the setting turning into something that doesn't quite click with all of it's own setup.
I was left confused as to the reasoning behind the deeper motives of the main character. And I was also inclined to ask why this movie shook loose all of these characters that it spent time persuading you were going to be a bigger part.
This movie had a great setup with some well thought out story telling, but by the end I was left not caring about what happened to who, or why they were there in the first place. And the only thing that I took was the message that they were trying to send about women's rights. That right there was the only thing that i could gather from it's shaky story telling, but even that seemed to be undermined by the protagonist's motives.
The film starts off with a story that will make you want to know more and characters that you want to see grow in front of your own eyes. I was intrigued by all of this and was excited to see what would happen to all of these people.
The story starts off well executed and with a simple yet surprisingly fun story.
But somewhere around the halfway point, the movie does a U-turn. Taking back everything that it made you grow attached to. With the story, the characters and even the setting turning into something that doesn't quite click with all of it's own setup.
I was left confused as to the reasoning behind the deeper motives of the main character. And I was also inclined to ask why this movie shook loose all of these characters that it spent time persuading you were going to be a bigger part.
This movie had a great setup with some well thought out story telling, but by the end I was left not caring about what happened to who, or why they were there in the first place. And the only thing that I took was the message that they were trying to send about women's rights. That right there was the only thing that i could gather from it's shaky story telling, but even that seemed to be undermined by the protagonist's motives.
It was okay... disappointing overall.
jokersonyou22 October 2015
We went to Rock the Kasbah for an early screening. Neither of us had heard much of anything about it, but I enjoy Bill Murray's work and it seemed to have a strong cast.
But the first half of the film seemed different than the second half. Actors seemed wasted in their roles. I just wasn't quite sure what to make of the movie.
The film is about an over-the-hill music producer, Richie Lanz, scrambling to make a last go of the industry. He brings his last big talent (Zooey D) overseas as an entertainer for the troops, where he will be sure to collect some big money. However, she promptly decides she doesn't want to be there, leaves, and Bill Murray is left to fend for himself sans papers or money. That is how the movie opens. After that we get Scott Caan, Bruce Willis and Kate Hudson appearing in varying roles as Bill Murray finds his way in Afghanistan.
Kate Hudson may or may not be intentionally faking an accent, but tries hard to pull off sex appeal as a hooker for hire. I don't see her appeal. Bruce Willis is the necessary, and typical gun for hire. Zooey comes and goes, and sadly never comes back. Scott Caan is the necessary character who comes and goes to provide necessary funds to Lanz to survive. I didn't find him funny and was a plot device only to basically say the first half of the film is rendered irrelevant.
It's just weak compared to other Bill Murray fare and each character seems to be a cameo, until the end becomes just another old-music-producer-finds-a-talent. It doesn't seem to push many boundaries, which is ironic since the film is about pushing boundaries in Afghanistan.
It was okay, but nothing more and nothing less.
But the first half of the film seemed different than the second half. Actors seemed wasted in their roles. I just wasn't quite sure what to make of the movie.
The film is about an over-the-hill music producer, Richie Lanz, scrambling to make a last go of the industry. He brings his last big talent (Zooey D) overseas as an entertainer for the troops, where he will be sure to collect some big money. However, she promptly decides she doesn't want to be there, leaves, and Bill Murray is left to fend for himself sans papers or money. That is how the movie opens. After that we get Scott Caan, Bruce Willis and Kate Hudson appearing in varying roles as Bill Murray finds his way in Afghanistan.
Kate Hudson may or may not be intentionally faking an accent, but tries hard to pull off sex appeal as a hooker for hire. I don't see her appeal. Bruce Willis is the necessary, and typical gun for hire. Zooey comes and goes, and sadly never comes back. Scott Caan is the necessary character who comes and goes to provide necessary funds to Lanz to survive. I didn't find him funny and was a plot device only to basically say the first half of the film is rendered irrelevant.
It's just weak compared to other Bill Murray fare and each character seems to be a cameo, until the end becomes just another old-music-producer-finds-a-talent. It doesn't seem to push many boundaries, which is ironic since the film is about pushing boundaries in Afghanistan.
It was okay, but nothing more and nothing less.
Meh, its not bad but still not very good either
KinoBuff20217 April 2022
Well this film was just ok. I feel that it was half-baked with an interesting idea but an underwhelming execution especially by the script. The cast seems star-studded but most actors don't make more than a few minutes of screen time as merely a side character for Bill Murray. Bill Murray as always seems to be playing a Bill Murray in another universe and is amusing but not enough to save the film.
VIEWS ON FILM review of Rock the Kasbah
burlesonjesse527 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
If you haven't heard by now, the flick I'm about to review is currently bombing heavy at the box office. Case in point: Just yesterday, I happened to be the only audience member to attend a midday screening. I guess you gotta score one for the nation's critics who managed to keep consumers away in droves (everyone wants to see The Martian for the umpteenth time, who knew).
Anyway, QED International's Rock the Kasbah, feels a little unfinished. It also gives off the whiff of a few scenes being left on the cutting room floor. There are some undeveloped personas, some recognizable actors/actresses that don't quite submit (Scott Caan, Danny McBride, Taylor Kinney, and Zooey Deschanel are on and off the screen faster than a freight train), and a closing credits sequence that actually makes Bill Murray look unfunny (I didn't think that was possible). Darn it though if this fall declaration isn't mildly entertaining not to mention wholly original. As a fan of Barry Levinson, I think his direction and pacing here are more than adequate. And "Kasbah" with what looks like the most accurate of locales (Afghanistan appeared genuine to me), has been getting an unfair ribbing from anyone who's ever written a star- crossed assessment. Hey I'm not preaching this to be four star material but heck, it's better than um, Ishtar (ha ha).
Rumored to initially have the problematic Shia Labeouf as one of its costars and featuring a soundtrack full of 70's classics as well as covers of 70's classics, Rock the Kasbah is a personality-driven, fish out of water story. Tom Selleck had Mr. Baseball back in 1992, Michelle Pfeiffer had Dangerous Minds back in 95', Paul Hogan had "Crocodile" Dundee back some thirty years ago, and now lead Bill Murray gets his Shareef on in 2015. He plays Richie Lanz, a once prominent rock manager now living in a seedy, Van Nuys hotel. He used to work with legends like Stevie Nicks and John Mellencamp. Now he's almost broke, owing back child support to his young daughter who he has to talk to through a window (ouch). You see Lanz has one client left, a whiny female singer named Ronnie (played by Zooey Deschanel). Together on a tip from a drunken bar patron, they travel to Kabul, Afghanistan to partake in a famed, USO tour. As they get settled in some 14,000 miles away from home, Ronnie gets cold feet, steals Richie's passport (and wallet), and flies back leaving him all alone with no identification. Richie's solution: Wait two weeks for a new one, find a way to raise some cash (illegally), and discover a current singer to appear on Afghanistan's version of TV's American Idol (an actual show called Afghan Star). Murray quips and cops with one-liners and a capella versions of Deep Purple ("smoke on the water, a fire in the sky"). He's in every frame with do-rag in tote.
All in all, "Kasbah's" main fallout from getting anyone to see it, might be its target audience comprised of only hardcore Bill Murray fans (I'm one of them). Then there's the fact that its title is pretty darn conventional (two other movies via the past three years, are named Rock the Kasbah. Plus, there's that 1982 ditty by The Clash you know). Finally, the point in this condensed, 100-minute exercise, is cantankerously mute. The proceedings feel a little pasted together (the notion of a delayed release shows) with Levinson letting things drift from drama to road comedy then back to drama. He does it with some real, mild strokes.
As for Murray, he plays Lanz not entirely for laughs. He doesn't push this character as much as you might think (don't let the trailer fool you). In hindsight, he's more dry and unconcerned than anything else. This is his one-man show with a sandy, South Asia backdrop to boot. Other big time movie stars help him contribute (Kate Hudson as a sultry, Kabul prostitute and Bruce Willis as a gun-toting mercenary) but come on, they're just a blimp on his radar. Bottom line: Wilmette's favorite son has this uncanny ability to carry a film good or bad. As Joe Strummer belts (in the actual song, "Rock the Kasbah"), "the king called up his jet fighters, he said you better earn your pay", well everyone involved (the filmmakers, the cast, and especially the main trouper) at least gets a slight raise. My rating: 2 and a half stars.
Anyway, QED International's Rock the Kasbah, feels a little unfinished. It also gives off the whiff of a few scenes being left on the cutting room floor. There are some undeveloped personas, some recognizable actors/actresses that don't quite submit (Scott Caan, Danny McBride, Taylor Kinney, and Zooey Deschanel are on and off the screen faster than a freight train), and a closing credits sequence that actually makes Bill Murray look unfunny (I didn't think that was possible). Darn it though if this fall declaration isn't mildly entertaining not to mention wholly original. As a fan of Barry Levinson, I think his direction and pacing here are more than adequate. And "Kasbah" with what looks like the most accurate of locales (Afghanistan appeared genuine to me), has been getting an unfair ribbing from anyone who's ever written a star- crossed assessment. Hey I'm not preaching this to be four star material but heck, it's better than um, Ishtar (ha ha).
Rumored to initially have the problematic Shia Labeouf as one of its costars and featuring a soundtrack full of 70's classics as well as covers of 70's classics, Rock the Kasbah is a personality-driven, fish out of water story. Tom Selleck had Mr. Baseball back in 1992, Michelle Pfeiffer had Dangerous Minds back in 95', Paul Hogan had "Crocodile" Dundee back some thirty years ago, and now lead Bill Murray gets his Shareef on in 2015. He plays Richie Lanz, a once prominent rock manager now living in a seedy, Van Nuys hotel. He used to work with legends like Stevie Nicks and John Mellencamp. Now he's almost broke, owing back child support to his young daughter who he has to talk to through a window (ouch). You see Lanz has one client left, a whiny female singer named Ronnie (played by Zooey Deschanel). Together on a tip from a drunken bar patron, they travel to Kabul, Afghanistan to partake in a famed, USO tour. As they get settled in some 14,000 miles away from home, Ronnie gets cold feet, steals Richie's passport (and wallet), and flies back leaving him all alone with no identification. Richie's solution: Wait two weeks for a new one, find a way to raise some cash (illegally), and discover a current singer to appear on Afghanistan's version of TV's American Idol (an actual show called Afghan Star). Murray quips and cops with one-liners and a capella versions of Deep Purple ("smoke on the water, a fire in the sky"). He's in every frame with do-rag in tote.
All in all, "Kasbah's" main fallout from getting anyone to see it, might be its target audience comprised of only hardcore Bill Murray fans (I'm one of them). Then there's the fact that its title is pretty darn conventional (two other movies via the past three years, are named Rock the Kasbah. Plus, there's that 1982 ditty by The Clash you know). Finally, the point in this condensed, 100-minute exercise, is cantankerously mute. The proceedings feel a little pasted together (the notion of a delayed release shows) with Levinson letting things drift from drama to road comedy then back to drama. He does it with some real, mild strokes.
As for Murray, he plays Lanz not entirely for laughs. He doesn't push this character as much as you might think (don't let the trailer fool you). In hindsight, he's more dry and unconcerned than anything else. This is his one-man show with a sandy, South Asia backdrop to boot. Other big time movie stars help him contribute (Kate Hudson as a sultry, Kabul prostitute and Bruce Willis as a gun-toting mercenary) but come on, they're just a blimp on his radar. Bottom line: Wilmette's favorite son has this uncanny ability to carry a film good or bad. As Joe Strummer belts (in the actual song, "Rock the Kasbah"), "the king called up his jet fighters, he said you better earn your pay", well everyone involved (the filmmakers, the cast, and especially the main trouper) at least gets a slight raise. My rating: 2 and a half stars.
laughs quickly disappear
SnoopyStyle29 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Richie Lanz (Bill Murray) is a down-and-out music manager working out of a Van Nuys motel with his assistant Ronnie (Zooey Deschanel). He makes ends meet by conning money from gullible wannabes and booking bar mitzvah. They get recruited to an USO tour in Afganistan. The dangers freak out Ronnie and she runs away. Richie is befriended by irreverent amateur arms dealers Jake (Scott Caan) and Nick (Danny McBride). They take him to a club where he meets Miss Merci (Kate Hudson). Bombay Brian (Bruce Willis) arranged for Ronnie's departure and expects the other half of the money from Richie. Jake and Nick ropes Richie into a weapons run. With cab driver Riza as his translator, he finds his own Afghan Star.
The start is fine. Bill Murray is great as this kind of lovable loser and Deschanel is adorably scared. There are a couple of awkward chuckles. Then it's a surprising parade of Hollywood stars. The laughs quickly disappear as the movie struggles with the clashing tones of sincerity and surreal comedy. Murray's wise-cracking only grinds the humor to a halt. This is a terribly flawed movie.
The start is fine. Bill Murray is great as this kind of lovable loser and Deschanel is adorably scared. There are a couple of awkward chuckles. Then it's a surprising parade of Hollywood stars. The laughs quickly disappear as the movie struggles with the clashing tones of sincerity and surreal comedy. Murray's wise-cracking only grinds the humor to a halt. This is a terribly flawed movie.
Funny, transporting experience
phd_travel11 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
A washed up talent manager arrives in Kabul to do a tour but ends up discovering a talented Afghan singer and enters her in a singing competition. It's a comedy and keeps the tone throughout even though the background is serious. The flight to and arrival in Kabul is quite laugh out loud. Lots of culture clash and war humor about the conditions in Kabul. Zooey Deschanel as the singer and Taylor Kinney as a soldier deliver some funny lines. This is a Bill Murray role and he keeps the comic tone and a droll vibe going. Kate Hudson looks pretty if unlikely as the hooker with the heart of gold. The young Afghan singer played by a Palestinian actress is quite lovely and sings well.
I don't understand the negativity. This is an insightful and very different comedy and a rare comic look into Afghanistan. The on location filming in Morocco is quite atmospheric. Worth a watch.
I don't understand the negativity. This is an insightful and very different comedy and a rare comic look into Afghanistan. The on location filming in Morocco is quite atmospheric. Worth a watch.
It's an OK Bill Murray film, but don't expect it to be outstanding
subxerogravity24 October 2015
It's a better song than it is a movie.
Bill Murray gives a decent performance as a talent manager stuck in Afghanistan when he discovers the talent of a young woman and literately changes the face of Afghan Television. The film is somewhat based on a real life event about a woman who song on a poplar TV show in her country when this sort of thing is not allowed.
You'd think having Murray in a movie would automatic make it Hysterical. After all, I've seen films were this man makes a cameo and it's the funnest moment in the movie.
Definitely not the case with Rock the Kasbah. It has great jokes and fun moments but they are far too distant from one another to be effective in the movie. What's worse is that they try to use comedy to send a message, and it fails miserably, to the point of embarrassment of how an American film just mismanaged someone else's culture.
Should I even mention that Bruce Willis and Kate Hudson are in it? Really does not matter cause they really did nothing in the movie, which is a shame cause I don't recall if Willis and Murray ever did a film together. The bigger shame is actually Zooey Deschanel, who I was hoping would mesh well with Murray's comic chops to make some entertaining screen time, but it did not.
Bill Murray's Bill Murray and he did good with what he was given, but what he was given was poor, making the movie mediocre.
Bill Murray gives a decent performance as a talent manager stuck in Afghanistan when he discovers the talent of a young woman and literately changes the face of Afghan Television. The film is somewhat based on a real life event about a woman who song on a poplar TV show in her country when this sort of thing is not allowed.
You'd think having Murray in a movie would automatic make it Hysterical. After all, I've seen films were this man makes a cameo and it's the funnest moment in the movie.
Definitely not the case with Rock the Kasbah. It has great jokes and fun moments but they are far too distant from one another to be effective in the movie. What's worse is that they try to use comedy to send a message, and it fails miserably, to the point of embarrassment of how an American film just mismanaged someone else's culture.
Should I even mention that Bruce Willis and Kate Hudson are in it? Really does not matter cause they really did nothing in the movie, which is a shame cause I don't recall if Willis and Murray ever did a film together. The bigger shame is actually Zooey Deschanel, who I was hoping would mesh well with Murray's comic chops to make some entertaining screen time, but it did not.
Bill Murray's Bill Murray and he did good with what he was given, but what he was given was poor, making the movie mediocre.
The Shareef don't like it.......
FlashCallahan29 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
A has-been rock manager from California stumbles upon a once-in-a-lifetime voice in a remote Afghan cave.
Richie Lanz, dumped and stranded in war-torn Kabul by his last remaining client discovers Salima, a teenager with a beautiful voice and the dream of becoming the first woman to compete in Afghanistan's version of "American Idol."
Richie partners with a savvy lady of the night, a pair of hard-partying war profiteers, and a hair-trigger mercenary.
Braving dangerous cultural prejudices, Richie manages his new finding into becoming the Afghan star she has always wanted to be...........
Apparently based loosely on fact, 'Rock The Kasbah' has all the makings of a classic movie. The cast is amazing on paper, the concept is amazing on paper, the situations the characters get themselves into seem hilarious on paper, but this is a film, and it just falls apart around another fantastic performance from Murray.
The problem is the humour is all over the shop. One moment it's almost spoof like, then it's the darkest humour ever imaginable, and the final act, the writers forget to inject any humour at all.
There is no moral to the story, the film consists of Murray going from one difficult situation to the next, and using his charm to get out of this situation. Along the way he finds this voice, and with this, the film is supposed to show the struggles with religion, apartheid, culture, and what is acceptable within people's beliefs.
It's a dangerous subject to have as a comedy-drama, and here it just doesn't work, despite the best efforts from the cast, and having such a prolific director at the helm, it should have been a safe bet.
On the plus side, despite having no reason to be in the film, Willis ain't been this good in sometime. His screen time is very little, but he has a wonderful presence, and his character is intimidating.
For Murray fans though, he is wonderful, if you could see the film as a succession of sketches, rather than a story, he is hilarious and sympathetic in equal measure. It's a shame that at times he appears to be in a different film to everyone else.
It's no surprise that the filmed bombed so hard when released, it's not aimed at a specific demographic, has a strange Three Kings feel to it, and the final scene of the film is more of a whimper than anything else, because the subject matter is nothing new, we see these people's struggles everyday on the news and in the media, we don't need a comedy about it.
There is one scene where Murray sings 'Smoke On The Water' to a very bewildered looking audience.
I know how they felt.....
Richie Lanz, dumped and stranded in war-torn Kabul by his last remaining client discovers Salima, a teenager with a beautiful voice and the dream of becoming the first woman to compete in Afghanistan's version of "American Idol."
Richie partners with a savvy lady of the night, a pair of hard-partying war profiteers, and a hair-trigger mercenary.
Braving dangerous cultural prejudices, Richie manages his new finding into becoming the Afghan star she has always wanted to be...........
Apparently based loosely on fact, 'Rock The Kasbah' has all the makings of a classic movie. The cast is amazing on paper, the concept is amazing on paper, the situations the characters get themselves into seem hilarious on paper, but this is a film, and it just falls apart around another fantastic performance from Murray.
The problem is the humour is all over the shop. One moment it's almost spoof like, then it's the darkest humour ever imaginable, and the final act, the writers forget to inject any humour at all.
There is no moral to the story, the film consists of Murray going from one difficult situation to the next, and using his charm to get out of this situation. Along the way he finds this voice, and with this, the film is supposed to show the struggles with religion, apartheid, culture, and what is acceptable within people's beliefs.
It's a dangerous subject to have as a comedy-drama, and here it just doesn't work, despite the best efforts from the cast, and having such a prolific director at the helm, it should have been a safe bet.
On the plus side, despite having no reason to be in the film, Willis ain't been this good in sometime. His screen time is very little, but he has a wonderful presence, and his character is intimidating.
For Murray fans though, he is wonderful, if you could see the film as a succession of sketches, rather than a story, he is hilarious and sympathetic in equal measure. It's a shame that at times he appears to be in a different film to everyone else.
It's no surprise that the filmed bombed so hard when released, it's not aimed at a specific demographic, has a strange Three Kings feel to it, and the final scene of the film is more of a whimper than anything else, because the subject matter is nothing new, we see these people's struggles everyday on the news and in the media, we don't need a comedy about it.
There is one scene where Murray sings 'Smoke On The Water' to a very bewildered looking audience.
I know how they felt.....
Kudos to the makers. Sleeping classic about cultural clashes and women*s rights in partiarch societies. Nine out of ten.
velvet_zoo3 April 2021
Its getting harder and harder to make comedy. Some people enjoy taking offense on pretty much anything, disregarding that creating offense between characters or playing on cultural differences can be the very core of comedy. Another problem today is that people want fast stories, at the same time not predictable, at the same time similar to what they already know, but very different, but not too different. I how you get the picture.
I found this film very entertaining. If you don't read anything about it upfront, which is what I did, I had absolutely no idea where this was going next - and I really enjoyed that.
Great dialogues. Bill Murray really pulls it off and so did everybody else.
I wonder why this film was not more successful when it came out. Maybe some films are like good wine. With age they get better. Or some are ahead of their time and the audience appreciates them once they catch up. Whatever the reason, it felt like the right time for me and I am glad I had a chance to see it. For my taste it's better than some comedies of the same period that enjoyed rave reviews and crowds at the box office.
I'm giving it nine out of then because I thought in wrapping the whole thing up it got a bit too stereotypical considering its nice and unusual twists and turns.
Loved the improv in the end when Bill is buying a Chinese elephant for his know it all daughter in a Moroccan Casbah.
Kudos to the makers. I hope they are over the disappointment of the low success when it came out. Hope it will become some kind of comedy classic about attaining a very tiny basic human right for women in patriarch religious societies. The right to sing.
I found this film very entertaining. If you don't read anything about it upfront, which is what I did, I had absolutely no idea where this was going next - and I really enjoyed that.
Great dialogues. Bill Murray really pulls it off and so did everybody else.
I wonder why this film was not more successful when it came out. Maybe some films are like good wine. With age they get better. Or some are ahead of their time and the audience appreciates them once they catch up. Whatever the reason, it felt like the right time for me and I am glad I had a chance to see it. For my taste it's better than some comedies of the same period that enjoyed rave reviews and crowds at the box office.
I'm giving it nine out of then because I thought in wrapping the whole thing up it got a bit too stereotypical considering its nice and unusual twists and turns.
Loved the improv in the end when Bill is buying a Chinese elephant for his know it all daughter in a Moroccan Casbah.
Kudos to the makers. I hope they are over the disappointment of the low success when it came out. Hope it will become some kind of comedy classic about attaining a very tiny basic human right for women in patriarch religious societies. The right to sing.
Showcases Bill Murray
stevendbeard23 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I saw "Rock the Kasbah" starring Bill Murray-Aloha, Moonrise Kingdom; Zooey Deschanel-New Girl_tv, Almost Famous; Kate Hudson-Fool's Gold, Almost Famous and Bruce Willis-Moonrise Kingdom, the Die Hard movies.
This movie showcases Bill Murray at his best, fast talking and acting just a little on the zany side. He plays a music talent agent that is down on his luck. He used to have a thriving career, with big name clients but is now handling clients out of his motel room. Zooey is his latest star and she gets her big break by going on a USO tour through Afghanistan to perform for our troops. Things go bad and Bill finds himself stranded, with no money or passport in a foreign land. That is when he meets Kate, a hooker with a plan and Bruce, a mercenary looking for a fast buck. That is also about the time Bill discovers a young Afghani girl that can really sing and so he wants to put her on the Afghanistan version of American Idol, Afghan Star. The only problem with that is with the native culture and their beliefs that women should not sing in public-the penalty is death. That is when Bill is at his best, fast talking, negotiating and acting a little crazy. There is also lots of good music. It's rated "R" for language, violence, drug use and sexual content-no nudity-and has a running time of 1 hour & 40 minutes. I don't think I would buy this on DVD but if you like Bill Murray, it would be a good rental.
This movie showcases Bill Murray at his best, fast talking and acting just a little on the zany side. He plays a music talent agent that is down on his luck. He used to have a thriving career, with big name clients but is now handling clients out of his motel room. Zooey is his latest star and she gets her big break by going on a USO tour through Afghanistan to perform for our troops. Things go bad and Bill finds himself stranded, with no money or passport in a foreign land. That is when he meets Kate, a hooker with a plan and Bruce, a mercenary looking for a fast buck. That is also about the time Bill discovers a young Afghani girl that can really sing and so he wants to put her on the Afghanistan version of American Idol, Afghan Star. The only problem with that is with the native culture and their beliefs that women should not sing in public-the penalty is death. That is when Bill is at his best, fast talking, negotiating and acting a little crazy. There is also lots of good music. It's rated "R" for language, violence, drug use and sexual content-no nudity-and has a running time of 1 hour & 40 minutes. I don't think I would buy this on DVD but if you like Bill Murray, it would be a good rental.
Misfire Murray M*A*S*H-up
george.schmidt30 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
ROCK THE KASBAH (2015) ** Bill Murray, Leem Lubany, Bruce Willis, Kate Hudson, Zooey Deschanel, Scott Caan, Danny McBride, Arian Moayad, Fahim Fazli, Jona Khan. Misfire comedy with our boy Bill as a has been rock promoter up to his eyeballs in international intrigue as he attempts to comeback with a new performer en route to Afghanistan and instead winds up stranded with little opportunity until unlikely Lubany enters the picture as a native who has a golden voice (and a quick meal ticket for the greasy Murray having some fun in the process). Scribe Mitch Glazer and director Barry Levinson half-bake for a M*A*S*H like vibe despite the efforts of a blue-chip cast largely wasted. Disappointing to say the least but hey Bill makes the most of it.
While Rock the Kasbah tries to throw several ideas about the Middle East, it has little to rock
RforFilm28 October 2015
Now is one of the best times for television. It was just a few years ago when the state of TV was at it's lowest and the majority of popular shows were reality programs. Survivor, Big Brother and the majority of MTV (Jersey Shore, MADE, and Parental Control to name a few) were considered the hit thing that people seemed to not get enough of. Like plenty of folk, I found the most of it to be uninteresting and had almost no rewatch value. Out of the programs we got from this short-lived fad, the one that will go down in history as the most popular and iconic will be American Idol.
Like anything that's popular, there has to be some translation for the rest of the world. American Idol saw an unlimited supply of regional shows for every country. One such that was also a critically acclaimed documentary was the Afghanistan version, Afghan Star. For a third world country like this, this show remains one of the most watched programs and is even as seen as a chance to escape their poor lives. The very loosely true story about an American music manager helping out an aspiring Afghan singer is shown in Rock the Kasbah.
Richie Lanz (played by Bill Murray) is a down on his luck manager who claimed to have discovered talent like Madonna and Stevie Nicks. He currently represents a rocker Ronnie (played by Zooey Deschanel) who can only get her work singing in bars in LA. As luck would have it, a representative from the USO tours finds Ronnie to be good enough to open for the big singers. Richie proudly accepts and boards a plane for Kabul, despite Ronnie being too scared. They arrive, but only hours into the trip does Richie realize that Ronnie has run away, taking his money, passport and plane ticket along leaving the guy stranded.
He first tries to find her with the help of two gun salesmen Nick (played by Danny McBride) and Jake (played by Scott Cann) that proves fruitless, though he meets local prostitute Merci (played by Kate Hudson) that shows him what to do. He finds out it's going to be weeks before he can get another passport, so he participates in a transaction with the salespeople and local mercenary Bombay Brian (played by Bruce Willis). The village their working with seems peaceful and believes in old tradition, but Richie hears the singing voice of a girl Salima, who decides that she could win Afghan Star.
With such a talent board and an idea that could raise plenty of questions about the war, and American influence on the Middle East, Rock the Kasbah should have been more interesting and way funnier. It takes a lot of work to make Bill Murray, who has experience in playing lovable jerks, into an unfunny, very sad looking imbecile. In fact, why is he the focus? Clearly the story should put more emphasis on the Afghan girl whose story has to be a hundred times more interesting.
The set up seems ready to go, but director Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Good Morning Vietnam, and Wag the Dog) never establishes an idea of what kind of movie Rock the Kasbah wants to be. It wants to be a satire on music business, but dwells into dark terrorist War drama, while juggling with a coming to acceptance philosophy and fish out of water jokes. It's a boring mess.
Not to mention, the environment the movie has us in is in a gloomy, depressing world that would have been fine had it been a drama, but as a comedy, it brings it down even more.
I'll give this three Afghan Star logo's out of ten. Rock the Kasbah rarely works both as a Bill Murray vehicle and as a satire on it's own. While Murray tries to go with the flow, it's not worth going with him to hear an occasional joke. This was something that should have been set on a different character and maybe even made as an foreign film from Afghanistan. But unfortunately, this Kasbah has little to rock about.
Like anything that's popular, there has to be some translation for the rest of the world. American Idol saw an unlimited supply of regional shows for every country. One such that was also a critically acclaimed documentary was the Afghanistan version, Afghan Star. For a third world country like this, this show remains one of the most watched programs and is even as seen as a chance to escape their poor lives. The very loosely true story about an American music manager helping out an aspiring Afghan singer is shown in Rock the Kasbah.
Richie Lanz (played by Bill Murray) is a down on his luck manager who claimed to have discovered talent like Madonna and Stevie Nicks. He currently represents a rocker Ronnie (played by Zooey Deschanel) who can only get her work singing in bars in LA. As luck would have it, a representative from the USO tours finds Ronnie to be good enough to open for the big singers. Richie proudly accepts and boards a plane for Kabul, despite Ronnie being too scared. They arrive, but only hours into the trip does Richie realize that Ronnie has run away, taking his money, passport and plane ticket along leaving the guy stranded.
He first tries to find her with the help of two gun salesmen Nick (played by Danny McBride) and Jake (played by Scott Cann) that proves fruitless, though he meets local prostitute Merci (played by Kate Hudson) that shows him what to do. He finds out it's going to be weeks before he can get another passport, so he participates in a transaction with the salespeople and local mercenary Bombay Brian (played by Bruce Willis). The village their working with seems peaceful and believes in old tradition, but Richie hears the singing voice of a girl Salima, who decides that she could win Afghan Star.
With such a talent board and an idea that could raise plenty of questions about the war, and American influence on the Middle East, Rock the Kasbah should have been more interesting and way funnier. It takes a lot of work to make Bill Murray, who has experience in playing lovable jerks, into an unfunny, very sad looking imbecile. In fact, why is he the focus? Clearly the story should put more emphasis on the Afghan girl whose story has to be a hundred times more interesting.
The set up seems ready to go, but director Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Good Morning Vietnam, and Wag the Dog) never establishes an idea of what kind of movie Rock the Kasbah wants to be. It wants to be a satire on music business, but dwells into dark terrorist War drama, while juggling with a coming to acceptance philosophy and fish out of water jokes. It's a boring mess.
Not to mention, the environment the movie has us in is in a gloomy, depressing world that would have been fine had it been a drama, but as a comedy, it brings it down even more.
I'll give this three Afghan Star logo's out of ten. Rock the Kasbah rarely works both as a Bill Murray vehicle and as a satire on it's own. While Murray tries to go with the flow, it's not worth going with him to hear an occasional joke. This was something that should have been set on a different character and maybe even made as an foreign film from Afghanistan. But unfortunately, this Kasbah has little to rock about.
Bill Murray's Afghan Vacation
digdog-785-7175381 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Well.. i liked it quite a bit. not fantastic, but solid.
Murray is a washed up rock agent, who reminisces about when he met this and that star, but his wife kicked him out and he hasn't got a penny. His break comes when one of his protegees, Zoey Dechanel - don't get excited, she's in the film for 5 minutes - is offered a tour of Afghanistan, supporting the troops.
Zeoy makes it to Kabul but immediately freaks out, and disappears, leaving Murray with no money. But, due to the situation, Murray's old talent for "making magic happen" resurfaces, as he finds new and exciting adventures in the chaos of Kabul.
Nice film; Murray is left without a co-lead almost immediately, and while the supporting characters are all interesting (even BRUCE WILLIS!! , in a horribly miscast role), Murray has to do most of the dancing alone.
As the film progresses, it gets to be slightly more serious, and imho this is where it gets even more interesting; but i can see how it could put people off, as it veers away from comedy into more "existential" ground, although not too much.
The film is well made, from a direction/editing/production point of view, and the script is pretty solid, if not particularly daring. The conclusion is a bit phoned in, but still entertaining.
Would recommend, as a decent film for mid-week.
My vote: 7/10
Murray is a washed up rock agent, who reminisces about when he met this and that star, but his wife kicked him out and he hasn't got a penny. His break comes when one of his protegees, Zoey Dechanel - don't get excited, she's in the film for 5 minutes - is offered a tour of Afghanistan, supporting the troops.
Zeoy makes it to Kabul but immediately freaks out, and disappears, leaving Murray with no money. But, due to the situation, Murray's old talent for "making magic happen" resurfaces, as he finds new and exciting adventures in the chaos of Kabul.
Nice film; Murray is left without a co-lead almost immediately, and while the supporting characters are all interesting (even BRUCE WILLIS!! , in a horribly miscast role), Murray has to do most of the dancing alone.
As the film progresses, it gets to be slightly more serious, and imho this is where it gets even more interesting; but i can see how it could put people off, as it veers away from comedy into more "existential" ground, although not too much.
The film is well made, from a direction/editing/production point of view, and the script is pretty solid, if not particularly daring. The conclusion is a bit phoned in, but still entertaining.
Would recommend, as a decent film for mid-week.
My vote: 7/10
A film with potential that doesn't quite achieve what it could have
vampire_hounddog7 September 2020
Richie Lanz (Bill Murray) is an agent for musical talent. Based in LA, he has fallen on hard times. He decides to take one act he has, who is also his PA (Zooey Deschanel) on a USO tour of Afghanistan. When she runs away after the first night with all his money and his passport he is left stranded. He becomes involved with gun running to make a quick buck and receives unlikely help from a prostitute (Kate Hudson). One day he hears the singing voice of a young Pashtun tribal woman (Leem Labany) and convinces her to go to Kabul with him to appear in the TV talent show, 'Afghan Star'.
Using the real life story of Setara Hussainzada who became a sensation and pariah in Afghanistan after appearing on the Afghan equivalent of 'America/Britain's Got Talent', 'Afghan Star' as the basis this story, it fictionalises the story to be about a creeper who Murray seems to be unable to levitate to any higher level in what seems a less loveable rogue than in some of his better films. The chemistry between him and Kate Hudson's happy hooker character is also lacking. The film has potential, but sadly that all the elements fail to work can only be laid at director Barry Levinson's feet.
Using the real life story of Setara Hussainzada who became a sensation and pariah in Afghanistan after appearing on the Afghan equivalent of 'America/Britain's Got Talent', 'Afghan Star' as the basis this story, it fictionalises the story to be about a creeper who Murray seems to be unable to levitate to any higher level in what seems a less loveable rogue than in some of his better films. The chemistry between him and Kate Hudson's happy hooker character is also lacking. The film has potential, but sadly that all the elements fail to work can only be laid at director Barry Levinson's feet.
Quirky and Captivating
hilbertjl18 June 2016
I'm not going to lie and call it great cinema, but I found this movie endearing. The humor was off-beat in a good way and the cast performed very well all around. It also managed to convey some serious things without getting heavy handed.
The talented and brave Salima Khan was an absolute joy, both to hear sing and to watch. Generally, the story and characters gave a rather Americanized view of Afghanistan, but the parts with her in them were spot on authentic in feel.
Was I laughing out loud the whole film through? Not at all. But aside from some slow pacing I found it an enjoyable experience (would have loved to see more Zooey Deschanel though).
The talented and brave Salima Khan was an absolute joy, both to hear sing and to watch. Generally, the story and characters gave a rather Americanized view of Afghanistan, but the parts with her in them were spot on authentic in feel.
Was I laughing out loud the whole film through? Not at all. But aside from some slow pacing I found it an enjoyable experience (would have loved to see more Zooey Deschanel though).
thoroughly disappointed
baiolemi23 October 2015
Rock the Kasbah had such an awesome cast, it's unfortunate that it sucked ass. The writing was plain terrible. There were too many instances of Bill Murray squeezing cheesy jokes in the worst places-- not that it's his fault, Bill Murray's the man--but his part was written horribly. This was also one of the only movies I've ever seen where I found the cinematography particularly bad. There were many unnecessary cuts between angles of a scene that completely killed the flow, especially on the plane scene towards the beginning. The movie did have a few funny and enjoyable moments, but if you're expecting a good flick I'd recommend to sit this one out.
If you love Bill and music ignore the hate(ALSO STAR WARS TRAILER)
dalegribz23 October 2015
First of I love Bill Murray in just about anything. I often check up on Bill to see what he is taking on next and have looked forward to this ever since i read about it. I enjoy going to the movies with my grandmother for a nice time together and asked her out to spend 2 hours with Bill today. I was not disappointed what so ever. Yes there was more potential with the stellar cast that was put together and the editing may be a bit sloppy but don't let that turn you off. This movie will take you on a journey if you care to let it. Murray once again plays a bitter old timer that turns out to have a heart of gold in the end. If you are sick of this shtick, which i will never get tired of, then don't bother. But this is a social commentary on the oppression of middle eastern women and really the overall need to take a stand for yourself. Bill has the "golden ears" and knows talent when he hears it even if he didn't discover it himself. He puts his life on the line for his 20% to support an Afghani girl(one in too many) with a talent she isn't allowed to share. Once this comes into play the movie blossoms into beauty. While it isn't lol funny, which i don't understand why people come to expect that from William these days, it is very sweet and heartfelt. The jokes are there if you care to listen and not sit on a pedestal. I get if you don't want to be ripped off for the price of admission for this movie but don't s**t on it and wait to rent it. It is still far better than 99% of the garbage that comes out on a weekly basis. I also enjoy casually questioning people as we leave the theater as to how they enjoyed the film and ran into a refugee from Afghanistan who really enjoyed this picture and the message that it sent. Idk I'm half drunk and rambling and wrote a terrible first review but Eff off film snobs go judge the globes and shove them where the sun don't shine :) peace out imdbers
Enjoyed nearly every second of it.
fopsahl-11 June 2016
That's my summary. Okey: Great acting, nice paste, a bit unfilled - but I enjoyed it very much. Perfect start of the morning. Especially liked the long scenes with Murray and Willis, acting-wise. Laughed a little, cried a little, had an overall good time.
Want to laugh your brains out? This is not the movie.
Want to FEEL?
Perhaps not.
A bit of both, although not DYING?
Try it.
Are there ten lines now? This is my first "review", I think, just thought the 5-er was a bit unfair.
Want to laugh your brains out? This is not the movie.
Want to FEEL?
Perhaps not.
A bit of both, although not DYING?
Try it.
Are there ten lines now? This is my first "review", I think, just thought the 5-er was a bit unfair.
- Frode O.
This weirdness begins well, but soon collapses under its own weight
Zbigniew_Krycsiwiki30 October 2015
I found myself completely alone upon walking into the cinema for the 8 pm showing. However, a couple of minutes later, the audience size doubled.
Bill Murray goes to Afghanistan with a protégé for a USO tour, but she bails out with his passport and cash, and he ends up mixed up with arms smuggling and arms dealing, Willis' mercenary character, a tribal war, and discovers a young singer who he takes to Kabul to be on Afghan Idol, against the wishes and beliefs of her family and community.
First 30 minutes were funny, (which is where most of the trailer's footage comes from) and I wondered why the film had gotten such poor reviews, but after that first half hour, there are only scattered laughs, as the screenplay tries to cover many different bases, but is so contrived and convoluted and overly busy that it collapses under its own weight. .....
Willis has what amounts to a 15 - 20 minutes long cameo appearance, but it's his best performance in many years; he seemed to be awake and paying attention here, surprisingly, given his underwhelming performances in the past 12 or so years.
Violent twist at the end comes from out of nowhere, and obliterates what little humour remained. Film seems much longer than it really is, and it never climaxes so much as it just stops, with no resolution to any of its numerous plot lines.
Filmed in June and July 2014, but not released until October 2015; its delayed release shows just how little confidence anyone had in this one. If anyone cares, there is what appears to be an outtake shown during the closing credits.
Bill Murray goes to Afghanistan with a protégé for a USO tour, but she bails out with his passport and cash, and he ends up mixed up with arms smuggling and arms dealing, Willis' mercenary character, a tribal war, and discovers a young singer who he takes to Kabul to be on Afghan Idol, against the wishes and beliefs of her family and community.
First 30 minutes were funny, (which is where most of the trailer's footage comes from) and I wondered why the film had gotten such poor reviews, but after that first half hour, there are only scattered laughs, as the screenplay tries to cover many different bases, but is so contrived and convoluted and overly busy that it collapses under its own weight. .....
Willis has what amounts to a 15 - 20 minutes long cameo appearance, but it's his best performance in many years; he seemed to be awake and paying attention here, surprisingly, given his underwhelming performances in the past 12 or so years.
Violent twist at the end comes from out of nowhere, and obliterates what little humour remained. Film seems much longer than it really is, and it never climaxes so much as it just stops, with no resolution to any of its numerous plot lines.
Filmed in June and July 2014, but not released until October 2015; its delayed release shows just how little confidence anyone had in this one. If anyone cares, there is what appears to be an outtake shown during the closing credits.
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