Here, in this sleekly appointed apartment, liberal pieties will clash violently with starkly conservative attitudes on the subjects of religion, national identity, terrorism and even the state of Israel - a gift box, in short, of assorted radioactive topics.Īkhtar seamlessly weaves these issues into the quartet’s conversation. This is the combustible background for an evening gathering of urban professionals, set in an enviable Manhattan aerie (designed by John Lee Beatty) that is itself a sign of membership in society’s upper echelon.
His nephew Abe (Behzad Dabu), a young and more traditional Pakistani Muslim with vulnerable immigration status, tried numerous times to no avail. Amir, who’ s not only thoroughly assimilated and secular but also anti-Muslim in his attitudes, was talked into lending his legal expertise only after his wife played on his conscience.
Before anyone arrives, Amir, drinking alone and clearly furious, is stewing over the fallout at work over a New York Times report that mentioned his support for an imam accused of aiding terrorists.
