MOVIE REVIEW : ‘Coin’: All That Glitters Isn’t Gold

“The Seventh Coin” (citywide), an inept youth-oriented thriller, has appealing stars and highly atmospheric, well-photographed ancient Israeli locales, but that’s not nearly enough to offset Dror Soref’s awkward direction and his overly complicated, often downright silly script (written with Michael Lewis).

Alexandra Powers’ bright, spunky American student and Navin Chowdhry’s embittered young Arab thief cross paths when he steals her camera case while she’s touring Old Jerusalem. A priceless coin belonging to the Arab’s grandfather winds up in that case, and in no time the two young people are scrambling over rooftops and through maze-like narrow streets with the murderous minions of Peter O’Toole’s crazed retired British officer on their heels. He has slain--or had slain--everyone who stood in his path in obtaining the first six coins, minted by King Herod, and he intends that no one will prevent him from completing the set.

The film is at its best when it sticks with Powers and Chowdhry, who gradually learn to know and understand each other while on the run. Their parts are decently written, and they are engaging actors. Soref, in his feature debut, gets his film off to a rocky start with needless and confusing plot complications. Every time he starts gaining momentum he sabotages himself by cutting to ludicrous, dated comic relief provided by a rookie Jerusalem cop (Ally Walker) from Baltimore who’s constantly skirmishing with her bombastic chief of police uncle (John Rhys-Davies) in her determination to play detective.

While aimed at teens, “The Seventh Coin” is unsuitable for those younger, and its PG-13 rating (for some violence, a moment of nudity and one use of strong language) is entirely appropriate.

‘The Seventh Coin’

Alexandra Powers: Ronnie Segal

Navin Chowdhry: Salim Zouabi

Peter O’Toole: Lt. Emil Saber

John Rhys-Davies: Capt. Galil

Ally Walker: Lisa

A Hemdale release of an Orbit Entertainment/April Com Ltd. production. Director Dror Soref. Producers Lee Nelson, Omri Maron. Executive producers James Nelson, Shimshom Rafaeli, Dov Strikofsky, & Garry Hakim. Screenplay by Soref, Michael Lewis. Cinematographer Avi Karpik. Editor Carole Kravetz. Costumes Laura Dinulesco. Music Misha Segal. Production design Yoram Shayer. Set decorators Doron Shalem, Amir Kaplan. Sound Yohai Moshe. Running time: 1 hour, 31 minutes.

MPAA-rated PG-13 (for some violence, a moment of nudity and one use of strong language).