Movie Review

Last night, I had the opportunity to see the movie, "Fill the Void" at the West Newton Cinema.  The movie is in Hebrew with subtitles.  It was a fabulous movie, that was much different than any Hollywood produced film.  The film is about an ultra Orthodox family in Israel.  The movie focuses on Shira.  Shira is an 18 year old girl, who is about to meet her future husband.  Shira looks up to her older sister, Esther.  Esther is 9 months pregnant, and happily married to Yochay.  Esther dies and leaves her newborn son (extra moments of sadness when the family has to bury the Esther and attend Mordechai's circumcision).

Shira's mother is distraught to think that Mordechai might be moving to Belgium, because that is where Yochay finds a new wife.  Shira's mother wants Shira to marry Yochay, and here is where the film really gets good.  Shira is desperate to get married. . . . all her friends are getting married. . .  .  but her parents aren't ready to become empty nesters so soon after Esther's death (even though they are caring for Mordechai).  I won't ruin the movie for you, but the relationship between Shira and Yochay moves from strangers. . . . to intimate . . . . and back again and back again, many times. 

The movie is wonderful . . . . and I love how I knew that Shira looked up to Esther and Esther loved being the big sister.  The relationship is real.  I love how near the end of the movie, Shira lets her emotions go, and her mother realizes that Shira needs her love. . . . (and Yochay witnesses this) . . . . and how Yochay weeps (and not only does Shira witness this, in her own way, reaches out to him and speaks with him honestly.

I would also recommend a coffee session to de-brief after this movie.  So much of this movie is NOT spoken, and you really need to think about and discuss.  Much of the movie needs to be discussed because we live so differently compared to Shria and her family, even though this is a modern day film.

It is a move that I recommend to people who want something that is NOT Hollywood. 

Movie Time

Adam and I really enjoy NETFLIX. This week we watched two movies.

Movie #1 - IRON MAN. Yes, it was the classic, BIG explosions and well, you know the drill. We saw IRON MAN 2 in the theater this year, and we both wanted to see the first one. The sub woofer got a real work out.

Move #2- MILK. Another great movie. Sean Penn was unbelievable. . . . so unbelievable though that I forgot it was him! It was definately worth the rental. Did not need the big screen for this one.