At the movies: Footnote
Eliezer Shkolnik and his son, Uriel, have a tenuous relationship. They share a passion – Talmudic studies – yet there’s an underlying jealousy between them. Uriel’s work gets more recognition making things even more difficult. When Eliezer gets a call that he will be awarded the prestigious Israel Prize it seems that his life’s work is finally being noticed.
Footnote is an Israeli film that has won several awards, including Best Screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film this year, so my friend and I decided to go see it and neither of us loved it.
I did enjoy the peek into life in Israel and appreciated that the actors weren’t all glamorous and gorgeous. I thought the story dragged, though, and I’m not sure if it’s because it was subtitled or if it’s just slow. The movie ended abruptly and I didn’t like that there was no resolution – I know life can be that way, but it seemed to stop in an odd spot. I have a feeling the movie is for people who are more sophisticated than I am. Here’s a peek at the trailer:
I saw the trailer for this one at our indie theater, so I figured my best bet of watching it would be Netflix. I can’t say that the trailer grabbed me, but it is hard to judge with foreign films. Things get lost in translation I think.
O the peak into their culture does sound awesome.
This does seem to look like my kind of movie but I would be annoyed by the inconclusive ending too. I will try to check this one out.
I can’t imagine that I would really like this one either, so don’t feel bad. A lot of foreign films just leave me cold for some reason. I’m sorry to hear this one didn’t do it for you, but I do appreciate your honesty.
We use subtitles for all of our movies, so I don’t think that part would bother me, although the draggy bit would! LOL
I don’t think this movie sounds like my cup of tea.
I don’t mind subtitles..and I never heard of this one…but not sure if I would seek it out to see.
I’d never heard of this film until now. It looks really good, but also a tad predictable. Not sure I like the idea of a movie that just ends and doesn’t really have any conclusion. So, I doubt I’ll be checking this one out. Oh well.
Hmm…I actually hadn’t heard of this before venturing here. Interesting trailer and review, Kathy.
I can not say this enough…I am forever in awe of what you read and what you see…I am just waiting to see Madagascar…
Subtitled movies are often hit or miss for me.
It is a shame this one wasn’t your cup of tea as the trailer looks fabulous! Maybe this would make a good rental?
K, thanks for such an honest review. This movie sounds like it might be for me.
This one sounds like one I would watch on PBS…so I will wait until it’s available on Netflix and check it out!
No sophistication here so I think I’ll skip it
I hadn’t even heard of this one. I am so out of it where movies are concerned.
I don’t think I’d rush to see this one but I do need to break out of my comfort zone and see more foreign films.