by Stan Dyer

Created on: June 13, 2008   Last Updated: September 18, 2008

In this age of ongoing, endless war, shaky political relations worldwide, and continuing terrorist violence, it seems irreverent to turn all that into a comedy. Is someone supposed to laugh at this, or cry? I was confused at the beginning, but, after a while, I got it and the whole thing began to make sense. This movie is just a social documentary disguised as a fun film.

The Zohan is Israel's top, anti-terrorist commando, but he is not happy. He is tired of the war and tired of the fighting. He just does not want to do it anymore. Instead, he wants to pursue his dream to go to New York in that wonderful land of opportunity, America, to cut and style hair making it "silky smooth". He tells his strict, Jewish parents and they think he is "gay". They offer to set him up in New York with a job in an electronics store. Zohan declines and goes on one, last mission; to recapture the Palestinian terrorist known as "The Phantom".

Using incredible moves and talent that is so outrageous it is funny, the Zohan infiltrates The Phantom's hiding place alone and flushes him out into the streets. A wild chase ensues that ends up at the beach near an ocean and The Zohan fakes his own death so that he can secretly sneak away to pursue his dream in New York.

Once in New York, The Zohan, with no experience cutting hair, cannot find work. Instead, he takes a job working at a beauty parlor owned and managed by a Palestinian woman who has also come to America seeking her dream. He is paid nothing and only allowed to sweep floors while he learns what he can. Then, one day, he gets his chance. One of the stylists in the shop leaves for another job. Stuck with no one to take her place, Zohan gets the job and his first customer.

Although his technique is dated and his talent raw, Zohan pleases his customers and increases the shop's clientele by treating the "older" women with a kind of respect they have not experienced in years. Soon, women are lined up all around the block for a chance to have The Zohan, under the alias, "Scrappy Coco", do their hair. All is going well until an immigrant Palestinian cab driver recognizes The Zohan and plots to capture him. The Zohan is also falling in love with his Palestinian boss in an ill-fated romance just as corporate America, as represented by "Wallbridge", is trying to push out the small shop owners and create a super mall where their shops once existed.

Wallbridge schedules a hacky sack competition called, "Hacky Sack Mania", and, while all the

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>