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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.

From an online reviewer:

'It's the wrong time and the wrong place...' - there are so many excerpts of songs quoted in this movie and ones that stimulate memories of old songs that are very much in keeping with the title and the story, THE BAND'S VISIT (BIKUR HA-TIZMORET). A timely piece, this little film is about humanity and the possibility of communication by various means that overcome differences between cultures far better than treaties, summit meetings, and physical and verbal demonstrations. It is a thoughtful, engaging, and completely delightful success.

The Alexandria Police Ceremonial Orchestra with 'General' Tewfiq (Sasson Gabai) rigidly in charge provides music for occasions, and the particular occasion for this venture is a ceremony in Israel. Flying in from Egypt well dressed in light blue uniforms to perform for the new Arab Culture Center, the small band is not met as expected at the airport. Tewfiq attempts to resolve the lack of proper greeting and transportation by reserving space on a bus - a trip that mistakenly (through problems originating in language confusion) results in the band being dropped off in a small village Bet Hatikva. Frustrated with circumstances, the band is met with genial hospitality by caf� owner Dina (Ronit Elkabetz) who not only feeds them but puts the small band up for the evening. Dina has eyes for Tewfig and plans an evening out on the town with him - an evening that has its own surprises as each lonely person shares life circumstances. The other members of the band are placed in lodging with Dina's workers and at a dinner party discover similarities in their lives. Khaled (Saleh Bakri), a somewhat antagonistic ladies' man, spends an evening with a terrified young man Papi (Shlomi Avraham) on his first real date, and in the course of the evening introduces the fine art of courtship to Papi in a hilarious but touching scene.

The use of English as the common language between these Arab and Hebrew speaking people adds elements of humor as well as moments of sweetness as both the band members and the Israelis grow to know and care about each other. The conversations among each separate group are delivered in Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles and this degree of modified privacy becomes almost more humorous because of the bumpy language barriers shared with the audience. Everyone grows through this short visit and by the time the band departs for their correct destination by the next morning's bus, bonds have been made that preserve the dignity of nationality while overriding the limitations of differences peculiar to each country. This is a quiet, gentle, at times very humorous little movie that offers insights of how to attain global community for us all. Writer/director Eran Kolirin deserves special recognition for assembling and molding this excellent cast for this remarkable, genuinely compassionate statement about important issues.

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