Mideast politics amid a story of friendship

There are moments, especially early on, when the historical adventure film “O Jerusalem” by director Elie Chouraqui, resembles “The Godfather”: the same burnished tones, the same ‘40s-era middle shots, the same vintage cars, streets, peo- ple.

Likewise, there is an emphasis on character rather than cold, hard data, which provides a warm, human foundation for what is essentially a primer on Middle Eastern politics set in New York and Jerusalem. But the music is too obvious, the dialogue too expository and the emotional triggers too much like cue cards to keep “O Jerusalem” from rising above well-meant enthusiasm to something more like enveloping passion.

From its contrived but seductive opening, in which two New York Jews (JJ Feild, Mel Raido) and an Arab (Said Taghmaoui) become friends and try to remain so while the Holy Land is being partitioned, to its war for Israeli independence, the film tells us a bit too much about how we should be feeling.

Still, the performances are all good, and there’s enough history in “O Jerusalem” to float a boat of refugees.

“O Jerusalem.” MPAA rating: R for some war scenes. Running time: 1 hour, 43 minutes. At Laemmle’s Royal, 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A. (310) 477-5581; Laemmle’s Town Center, 17200 Ventura Blvd.; Encino (818) 981-9811; Laemmle’s Playhouse 7, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 844-6500; Regal/Edwards Westpark 8, 3755 Alton Parkway, Irvine, (949) 622-8609.