mms1973 Reviews

James' Journey to Jerusalem (2003)

Don't be a frayer!

[8/10 · 11 August 2006]

This is a tale about how an idealistic young man is corrupted by modern society, how easy spiritualism can lead to materialism if the right checks and balances in own's life are not kept. The movie is set in modern Israel, but it might be anywhere else where the economy is booming and cheap labor is needed. The motto of the characters during the movie is "Don't be a frayer!" (sucker). James, the main character, strives not to be one. "Ani lo frayer" (I am not a frayer). In the process he will become a different man but, eventually, life will teach him a lesson that will push him to recover his lost innocence.

Finally, another important symbolism of the movie relates to Israel itself. The country has become in recent decades a full-fledged capitalist society back from the primitive socialist Zionism of the founding fathers, something well represented by the bustling city of Tel-Aviv full of American-style malls. I'd say the director is also trying to make a wake-up call to his fellow country men regarding the path the country has taken. Therefore, and in this sense, James' transformation embodies Israel own drift from the Zionist roots.

Alila (2003)

A fresh canvas of modern Israel

[6/10 · 9 May 2006]

This is a fresh canvas over daily life in modern Israel depicted by several stories that intertwine within a chaotic apartment building where the main characters dwell. The plot of the movie is not exactly straightforward, but this a well-known feature in Gitai's films. Gitai is a keen observer of life in Israel, and that is what the film is all about. In this sense, the movie outstandingly captures the mayhem and chaos of life in southern Tel-Aviv through the stories of ordinary people. But, however absorbed they seem to be in their own problems and plights, they cannot detach themselves from "the situation", the euphemism Israelis use to denote the conflict with the Arabs. Thus, the personal troubles of the main characters are put into perspective when confronted with the larger picture of bombings and terrorism, as radio flashes remind the main characters what is going on in the outside world. Nevertheless, unless you appreciate all things Israeli, you won't find any particular appeal in this movie. This is definitely not a mainstream movie, although all actors perform remarkably well. Also, you have to be a native Hebrew speaker or you won't understand most of it. I could hardly understand 10% of the dialogs. Additionaly, some Oriental Mizrahi music in the background also adds up to raise the interest of the movie.