May (Cherien Dabis) balances an emerging career as a writer celebrating the success of her first book with the joy that comes from an impending marriage to Ziad (Alexander Siddig), a wonderful man who happens to be a devout Muslim. Her fiancée’s faith is at odds with May’s mother (Hiam Abbass), a born-again Christian. May also struggles to maintain mature relations with her sisters Yasmine (Nadine Malouf) and Dalia (Alia Shawkat) as well as her largely absent father (Bill Pullman), who chooses the wedding as the time to attempt to make amends. As writer and director, in addition to taking the lead, Dabis seeks to craft a comedic drama with cultural topicality, the likes of which we rarely see on the big screen. (Opens Friday at Esquire Theatre) R) Not screened in time for review
