A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Caught an early screening of My Uncle Rafael and it's a real rarity these days -- a good-natured family comedy that will amuse kids over ten years old, without sacrificing any smart, pointed laughs for the rest of us adults. This fun and sweet culture-clash Armenian/American comedy pulls off the difficult trick of being both insightful and satiric, while never being above going for a broad laugh. Familiar-face comic actors Joe Lo Truglio, Anthony Clark, and especially Missi Pyle and John Michael Higgins (who are hilarious), provide very funny support for the extremely impressive newcomer Vahik Pirhamzei, who really shines in two completely different lead roles. Keep an eye out for Uncle Rafael!

I have to say this is one of the best films I've seen this year. My friend and I caught a sneak peak screening and we laughed nonstop. The Armenians around us were loving it and were proud--as well they should be. It has a simple story with great characters and really funny well-known actors/ensemble. John Michael Higgins (Demon) was ridiculously funny and Vahik Pirhamzei who played Rafael stole the movie. Holy performances Batman! The Armenian actors were as funny as the American actors and no doubt will see a lot more work in Hollywood movies. The movie uses the Armenian culture as a backdrop, yet it incorporates it without making a big deal which I think will work best for audiences and allow us to be sucked in and simply enjoy these new Armenian faces. Marc Fusco's direction never took me out of the film and was seamless with nice touches. I'm confident that Hollywood will take notice and America WILL see this movie!

Despite an unlikely sitcom scenario of an Armenian fish WAY out of water who winds up in a typically-dysfunctional American family, My Uncle Rafael is packed with charm. A talented cast headed by writer-actor Vahik Pirhamzei delivers consistent laughs, smiles, and moments of culture-clashing nervous excitement. John Michael Higgins gives a laugh-out-loud performance as a scumbag husband/attorney you'll love to hate -- if this were a bigger studio movie, he would be getting huge buzz off this performance for sure. Doe-eyed Rachel Blanchard is a pleasure to watch as well; the camera loves her. Well worth grabbing on cable or DVD.

My wife and I just saw a preview of My Uncle Rafael and what a pleasant surprise. Well written, acted and directed we found ourselves laughing out loud many times. The main plot involves an Armenian family and how they get mixed up in an American Television pilot for a reality TV show. The movie begins with Uncle Rafael an Armenian immigrant taking a course in English so he can better communicate and we are slowly introduced to the rest of his family all trying to make a good life in Glendale California.Vashik Pirhamzei does a great job portraying both Uncle Rafael and the smooth-talking son,Hamo.As the movie progresses we meet all sorts of characters with all sorts of motives for the success of this television show. John Michael Higgins is hilarious as a sleazy lawyer and Austin Robert Butler is an outstanding young actor at only 10 years old. All the acting is excellent; you would never guess that this movie was made for only $800,000! The director and editor, Marc Fusco did an outstanding job. If you're looking for an unpretentious pleasant movie going experience, you won't be disappointed.