MovieChat Forums > Flightplan (2005) Discussion > I felt sorry for the Arab man

I felt sorry for the Arab man

posted 12 years ago by khanreading
5 replies | jump to latest

In many Hollywood high budgeted movies, the Arabs have been made to look like villains - even in story-lines or movies non-related to Arabs/Islam etc.

In Flightplan the Arab man's role was NOT a Villian - but somehow he was still portrayed as one. I feel that the film began with him being the Accused and ended with him being the Accused. So the film ended with us having an incorrect perception of a Brown man.

I sincerely felt sorry for the Arab guy who not only was he tackled/harassed by Kyle (J.Foster) but was heckled by other passengers (especially the fat sloppy one). When Kyle ran isle to isle like a looney - the Arab guy did try to stop her but she re-bounded and fell unconscious (woke up to see the psychiatrist beside her).

Towards the end of the movie, Captain Rich (Sean Bean) apologies to her (for not believing her - the Arab guy hands over her bag as a gesture - but she doesn't apologise (as the Captain did) for judging him because of his background/ religion.

My mind was on the Arab guy who was wrongly depicted by us the viewers at the start, and he had a hostile reception - but no apology.

On top of all that, the Arab guy is played by a Jew in the name of Michael Irby - I am sure Hollywood could have employed one rather then take one out of a Jewish guy from the "spares" box.

[–] psdhart 12 years ago

I agree, you also watched it on BBC1 lol

We have already met on another board I think

[–] mike_cable 11 years ago

It was a confronting scene considering what happened on 9/11/2001.

** SPOILER BELOW **

I always felt that when he handed her her bag at the end, she should have done more than just a tiny hint of a smile. What should she have done? I don't know what would be right but it felt "unsatisfying"!

[–] Rayvio 10 years ago

it didn't end with him being accused at all, just of being snubbed by a woman who owed him an apology. in her defence after all the stress, trauma and post-adrenaline rush exhaustion she'd likely not be thinking too clearly, but given that the cabin crew should be queueing up to apologise to her it's not unreasonable to expect her to feel some sympathy towards him and regret

~~~
"I don't care, I'm still free. You can't take the sky from me..."

[–] Princess_Ashmi 10 years ago

I know right, always pin it on the arab. If she should have apologised to anyone at the end it should have been him. She did attack him on the plane after all even when he was innocent!

Ashmi any question

[–] bjamzilla 8 years ago

It was so cringey when she was yelling at him. I really feel bad for any Arab person that has had to deal with that.

Wildcattin'...Wildcattin'. Pow! I'm gonna go.