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“That’s a very nice idea, very nice… but wrong.” – Eliezer Shkolnik
Number of Times Seen – 3 (6 Jan 2012, 5 Mar 2014 and 5 May 2020)
Link to original review – Here
Brief Synopsis – The relationship between a father and son who are both academic scholars is tested when the father is accidentally awarded a prestigious academic prize in place of his son.
My Take on it – This has been a favorite film of mine ever since I first saw it over 8 years ago.
My own personal knowledge on the subject of the film, it’s director and even some of the extras in the film helps endear this whole story to me, and seeing this movie numerous times doesn’t diminish that at all.
The story itself works on numerous levels and is able to draw us in quite closely to get a look at this very unique world of Academic scholars.
The two lead actors are both superb here and we get to see the way two people act who on some levels are so similar yet on others so very different despite the fact that both would deny that they have much in common.
The story tries to look at the way that human interactions and relationship can be so fragile when dealing with people within the Academic world who aren’t always the most social of people in every kind of situation.
This movie has a very unique perspective on the Academic world and that has much to do with the fact that director Joseph Cedar is the son of a prominent Biology Professor which in turn helps the story move along n very original ways.
His familiarity with these kind of people helps so much in depicting something very realistic.
The plot and story line unfolds in a very complex way and that enhances things so much more because it is always on the move and never stays in the same spot too long which would make it quite boring.
The editing of this film helps us get a better understanding of how an analytical mind must try and solve a mystery that seems so baffling by only using his wits and experience t help lead the way.
Due to my own personal familiarity of the Academic world and many of the places and streets that these character inhabit helps make this film even more endearing to me while at the same time proves the realistic way and authenticity used while bringing this story to the screen.
This movie deservingly was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film yet failed to win it.
Bottom Line – Amazing film that works on numerous levels. The acting of both of the two leads is superb and they really are able to capture such a strange and dynamic relationship between two men who are quite similar yet very different at the same time. The story is able to show how things work in the academic world and how there can be effects on human interactions and relationships along the way. The director’s own familiarity with this unique world helps him give us such a great perspective on things as the story unfolds in great ways. The complex way that the story unfolds is so enjoyable to watch and the editing lets us see how an academic scholar can use his wits and experience in trying to unravel a mystery that doesn’t compute properly. My own personal understanding of the Academic world and many of the sites and locations shown in the film helps make this film so dear to me because it helps attest to the authenticity of it all. Very deserving of its Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film even if it didn’t win. Highly Recommended!
MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – The opening title card doesn’t appear on screen until 35 minutes into the film. (From IMDB)
Rating – Oscar Worthy (9/10) (no change from original review)
