Norman-The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer

“Norman-The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer” stars Richard Gere who plays the title role in this film from Israeli born writer and director Joseph Cedar. The “spoiler” title tells a lot of what this movie is about but it is indeed much more. Reaching beyond his traditional roles, Mr. Gere, in exemplary fashion, portrays the part of Norman Oppenheimer, a self-styled consultant/businessman who knows someone who knows someone else who knows another who can get you the contacts or deals you are seeking. The film takes us into the inner workings of smart east coast investors to the chambers and offices of the Israeli Knesset, its cabinet and its Prime Minister, and how Norman, by conniving and sheer “chutzpah”, interacts with them all. For those familiar with Yiddish parlance, he would be commonly referred to as a “macher”, or in English, an influential guy with great connections. The interesting point in the casting is that the actors portraying the Israeli members of the cast are, in fact, Israeli, but the other Jewish roles, including Norman, are played by non-Jewish performers such as Michael Sheen, as Norman’s nephew, and Steve Buscemi, as Norman’s rabbi. Make no mistake, this film is more universal in its appeal than the semitic nature of its script would imply for it deals with drama, political intrigue, thrills and a story that will keep the viewer interested, on edge and appreciative of a well performed and well written motion picture. I give the film 3 and ½ stars and, as Norman himself might say, “try it, you’ll like it”

Their Finest

“Their Finest” is a film about life in wartime England and how the country’s Ministry of War sought to produce a  film for its audiences at home and overseas in order to draw reluctant allies into World War II. Beautifully acted by Gemma Arterton and Sam Clafin and ably supported by the ever loveable Bill Nighy, the film was adapted for the screen by Gabby Chiappe from the novel by Lissa Evans. Nicely directed by Lone Scherfig (“An Education”, “Italian for Beginners”),  the production values in the film are modest to say the least but nevertheless portray the efforts of the filmmakers within the film to achieve their propaganda goal and in the course of it, bring humor and sadness in unique combination as the umbrella of the blitz looms over every scene and occurrence. This is not a great film by any means but it does communicate the British grit as Londoners seek to persevere and survive a difficult time in the mid 1940’s and beyond. I give the film 3 stars with special recognition to Ms. Arterton and Mr Nighy who, each in his and her own way, gave it “their finest”.

Beauty and the Beast

“Beauty and the Beast” was originally a black and white French film drama that went on to be made into a number of animated feature films and, now, Disney has produced a live action musical with the same story and characters. Utilizing the music of Alan Menken, the lyrics of the late Howard Ashman and those of his successor, the talented Tim Rice, the film stars Emma Watson (Beauty), Dan Stevens (Beast/Prince), Emma Thompson, Ewan McGregor and Audra McDonald  in this fantasy tale that captures the charm and beauty of the past films but with choreography and orchestrations that dazzle the eyes and ears of its audience even more. As difficult as remakes can be to reach the level of its predecessors, , this new version directed and co-written by Bill Condon equals the task and is a pure joy to watch and behold. The simplicity of the story coupled with awesome magical visual effects and a score that Mr. Menken can well be proud of make this a theatrical experience for all to enjoy. Although reluctant at first to go to “another revival” of this time honored classic, I’m so very glad I did. I give the film 3 and ½ stars and recommend it to all who still believe that movies that entertain and leave us with a good feeling at its conclusion are to be valued, respected and, most of all, seen.

The Zookeeper's Wife

“The Zookeeper’s Wife” is a film based on Diana Ackerman’s nonfiction book which recites the story of Jan and Antonina Zabinski, Polish owners and operators of the Warsaw Zoo, and their efforts to save victims of the Holocaust during the Nazi occupation of their country. Directed by Niki Caro (“Whalerider”) with a screenplay written by Angela Workman, the film stars Jessica Chastain whose performance alone is worth the price of admission. Although some have unfairly characterized the movie as “Disney does the Holocaust”, the film nevertheless communicates the trauma and severity of this difficult time in Polish history and how some brave individuals risked everything to protect the lives of their countrymen, regardless of religious or cultural differences. I give the film 3 stars as it so clearly demonstrates that many of the animals that invaded the country were outside of the zoo.

The Sense of an Ending

“The Sense of an Ending” is based on the prize winning novel written by Julian Barnes. Adapted for the screen by Nick Payne and directed by Ritesh Batra, the film boasts a stellar cast headed by Jim Broadbent, Helen Walter, Michelle Dockery, Emily Mortimer and Charlotte Rampling. Unfortunately, even a star studded cast giving wonderful performances cannot save this film from the difficulty the audience experiences as it tries to follow this complicated story told in flashback and present day events. There are just too many characters attempting to go in and out of the lives of the others to make this film easy to comprehend as it weaves its way in and out of the decades it spans. Even the most difficult and lengthy films can be enjoyable to watch and to understand but this one is neither.

Recognizing the tremendous talent one sees on the screen it is difficult to give the film less than a 2 and ½ star rating although the reader should be warned that 2 or 3 cups of regular coffee might be needed to help his or her concentration process.

Keep Quiet

“Keep Quiet” is a documentary directed by Sam Blair and Joseph Martin. It depicts the life of Csanad Szegedi, the founder and leader of the Jobbik party in Hungary which is basically a right wing Nazi-type group spewing anti-semitism and hate and enforcing these ideas with a 2000+ member uniformed group called the Hungarian Guard.

From early childhood through his late 20’s, Mr. Szegedi relishes and loves the hate filled rhetoric he and his group engage in as they intimidate and disrupt the lives of those in the Hungarian Jewish community. At some point, however, Mr.

Szegedi discovers that his maternal grandmother is a Jew and a survivor of the Auschwitz death camp and this causes him to confront and reevaluate all that he had previously believed and pontificated. His  story experiencing both ends of the the bigotry spectrum (i.e. Jew hater to orthodox t Jew) is well told by these creative and talented documentarians,. I give the film 3 stars for a job well done.