The light, droll touch applied overall lets the filmmakers get away with a few fairly graphic moments that remind us criminal violence is no joke. These also pass fleetingly enough not to sour the genial mood.

Israeli mob comedy has violence, cursing.

[Maktub] boasts an array of vivid performances that fuse sentiment and buddy film humor with some incredible dark elements relative to Israel's politics and mob business.

It's a fun idea for a movie, carried off with charm, but it never quite fully takes off from good to great. The film is well done, but it's a walk, don't run situation.