Marmolak (the Lizard) Iranian Film. Review on Marmoulak Movie

Marmolak meaning Lizard is one of the most popular Iranian movies in recent years. It done very well at the International Film Festivals. Its about a Robber named Reza who is also know as Marmolak or the Lizard in the underworld because of his expertise in climbing walls. Reza is arrested in an armed robbery and send to Jail.

In Jail Reza has a confrontation with the jailer who sends him to solitary confinement again and again for breaking the prison rules.

There is an interesting scene in Prison when a pigeon gets struck on the high security walls of the prison the jail authorities try to help the bird but in vain. here Reza bets with the Jailer that he can climb the wall and rescue the bird! The Jailer agrees and says he would give in one week reprieve if he wins the bet. Reza climbs the high security prison wall much like his nick name Marmolak the Lizard and rescues the bird much to the astonishment of the prison authorities instead of fulfilling his bet the jailer punishes Reza into one week of solitary confinement for climbing the wall.

Reza is completely broken man and at one time even tries to commit suicide but fate has different things stored for him. Reza while getting treatment in the Prison hospital meets a Mullah or the Muslim priest. here he finds opportunity and uses Mullahs dress and attire to make a quick escape. Here on the movie takes a turn. Mullahs enjoy a great deal of respect is an Islamic country like Iran and a Reza who is a convicts finds is very amusing how the people treat him.

Reza tries to escape the country so he takes a train to border of Iran. In the train he finds some people who mistake him to be the priest of the Village bordering Iran. there are many interesting incidents here for egg when the Train stops and a station and the fellow passengers ask the Mullah to Lead the Prayers. Its more funnier if you understand the Islamic culture and Muslim way of life. Reza is drawn into being the village Mullah unwillingly here he tries hard to be a Mullah but since he is a criminal from downtown he uses he lingo and his antics in giving Friday sermons etc

There is a hilarious scene when he actually talks of the Movie Pulp Fiction in the Friday sermon there are many such funny incidents involved in the village. for eg In the night he tries to go to the forbidden part of the city to try to make duplicate passport but people think that he is actually doing social work in the poor neighborhood.

There are many interesting characters like the young man who always keeps asking Reza Islamic questions which he has no good answers, The another young man who doesn't want to be a priest against his fathers wishes and the women who has a violent husband whom Reza bashes up in his street smart ways The film Concludes with the Law catching up with Reza Marmolak as he tries to Flee the country you end up feeling sorry for this convict.

Its a Persian movie hence it will be good to watch it with English subtitles Sadly this Movie was banned in Iran as the Politicans felt it made fun of the powerful Mullahs On the whole a great cinema some of the rituals and customs may be strange to non Muslims but still overall a great Cinema for all seasons Don't miss this Legend