In recent years, the immigrant experience has inspired quite a few films, from "Maria Full of Grace" to "Sugar." And writer-director Cherien Dabis' debut feature, "Amreeka," clearly belongs in that company. It's one of the funniest and most perceptive films of the year.

The story focuses on Muna (Nisreen Faour), a Palestinian who can't believe her luck when she gets a green card. It means that she and her teenage son Fadi (Melkar Muallem) can move to America, where things are bound to be better for both of them. At least, that's her hope. But the timing isn't the best.

The two arrive at the Illinois home of her sister Raghda (Hiam Abbass of "The Visitor") shortly after the start of the war in Iraq, as anti-Arab paranoia runs high. Raghda still doesn't feel at home after 15 years in the United States, and her doctor-husband, Nabeel (Yussuf Abu-Warda), anxiously watches the nightly news — while wondering whether he'll lose even more of his clients to fear and prejudice.

Despite her considerable experience in banking, Muna winds up working in a fast-food joint. Meanwhile, Fadi is forced to deal with bigots at the local high school.

It's a measure of Dabis' skills as a storyteller that "Amreeka" (the title is Arabic for "America") finds humor in Muna's situation without trivializing her struggle for acceptance and success. And Dabis has found just the right actors to embody her well-developed characters.

Faour imbues Muna with a warmth and exuberance that win you over from the first scene. Muallem is the quintessential teenager, subject to mood swings, but ready for anything. And Abbass beautifully captures Raghda's insecurity.

"Amreeka" isn't just an immigrant story. It's an ode to America — in all its confusion, optimism and beauty.