We've never see a film with this high of ratings on Rotten Tomatoes (.com). 98% from general viewers and 100% from the top critics. And an unlikely movie it is to receive such sky-high four star, thumbs up approval.

You can watch the trailer for "The Band's Visit" here.

After all, the plot is about an Egyptian police band that arrives in Israel to play at the opening of an Arab Cultural Center in a Tel Aviv suburb, but through a mishap of language ends up in a small desert town by mistake. Left by a bus literally in the sand, they arrive at a spartan, run-down snack bar asking for directions to the Arab Cultural Center. The owner of the peeling Israeli "bodega" (played to perfection by the alluring Israeli actress Ronit Elkabetz) responds: "No culture: not Israeli culture; not Arab culture; no culture at all."

And that is the beginning of a touching, bittersweet comic drama about how the most basic emotions of loneliness, regret, pride and sexual need can unexpectedly overcome cultural barriers.

Some might find "The Band's Visit," which takes place in a barren town where even the main park has no grass, a bit naive. But it is a fictional film, after all, and one is allowed to dream with it that Arabs and Israelis can interact on an equal level, exposing their personal vulnerabilities to each other instead of being mortally hobbled by mutual ethnic identity stereotypes.

"The Band's Visit" would fail were it an attempt at political allegory. What makes it so charming and so artfully engaging is how it how it brings to life with minimal brushstrokes such compelling characters in a parched concrete block desert town. This is a remarkably well-made droll and wistful piece of cinema that doesn't rush its story along.

Yes, the Egyptian band does finally makes its performance at the new Arab cultural center in Petah Tikva. And what a proud and worthy band it is, playing in its dapper military style blue uniforms, which none of the band members take off in the entire film, except to go to sleep.

If you like "small" European style films that resonate with emotional tugs and dreams while doing a little winking at you, "The Band's Visit" awaits your viewing.