Not Without My Daughter

Not Without My Daughter is a 1991 drama film directed by Brian Gilbert, starring Sally Field and Alfred Molina.

Plot
The film is based on the true-life story of Betty Mahmoody and her young daughter who fled from Iran to the United States in the 1980s to escape her husband.

Cast

 * Sally Field as Betty Mahmoody
 * Alfred Molina as Sayed Bozorg "Moody" Mahmoody
 * Sheila Rosenthal as Mahtob Mahmoody
 * Roshan Seth as Houssein the Smuggler
 * Sarah Badel as Nicole
 * Mony Rey as Ameh Bozorg
 * Georges Corraface as Mohsen

Box Office
"Not Without My Daughter" debuted at #7 at the box office, grossing only $3,804,055 in its opening weekend. By the second week, the film fared poorly.

Critical Reception
"Not Without My Daughter" has been criticized for its alleged misrepresentation of Muslim Iranians and their culture.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 47% rating based on 15 reviews.

In a review of the film, Caryn James of the New York Times states that the movie "exploits the stereotype of the demonic Iranian...it is an utter artistic failure, and its reliance on cultural stereotype is a major cause."

A review in the Los Angeles Times described the movie as "unbalanced and distorted" which "fails to distinguish between the (Iranian) state and the people."

In his review, film critic Roger Ebert noted the film made "moral and racial assertions that are deeply troubling" and that it "does not play fair with its Muslim characters. If a movie of such a vitriolic and spiteful nature were to be made in America about any other ethnic group, it would be denounced as racist and prejudiced."

Accolades
1992 Razzie Awards
 * Sally Field: Worst Actress (nominated)

1992 Young Artist Awards
 * Sheila Rosenthal: Best Young Actress Co-Starring in a Motion Picture (won)