My first real insight into Jewish culture came when I read Mark Twain's eulogy on the subject. His lapidary essay talked of their (Jews') contributions to society being 'extravagantly out of proportion with the smallness of their bulk'. I was stunned then, and I continue to be awed by this meritorious minority. It was with some ambivalence then, that I decided to see Haim Tabakman's 'Eyes Wide Open', a film about forbidden love set amongst an Orthodox Jewish community in Jerusalem.
Aaron Fleischman (Zohar Shtrauss) is ascetic and respected by his peers. He has a solid family unit, but there is a profound void in his life. He reopens his late father's butchers and finds he needs help. Enter Ezri (Ran Danker), a winsome, wandering student, whom Aaron hires, ostensibly to get closer to God.
The assumption is that Ezri is already gay. He has a past and the rumour is that he is a 'curse to righteous men'. At first, Aaron rejects Ezri's advances. He says, without believing it himself, that 'God created lust for catharsis of the soul'. But soon they are closing early to engage in acts of licentious carnality.
I found the under-acting, especially by Aaron, deeply irritating. Sure, he meant to convey an unspoken love, but he is never anything but aloof. Perhaps that was the intention. The few ethical debates Aaron has with his Rabbi are interesting (the Rabbi believes that alcohol can be consumed because 'God does not want us to suffer').
With more impassioned acting and more set pieces (instead of the myriad shots of meat being chopped), it could have rivalled 'Brokeback Mountain' or 'My Beautiful Laundrette'. If nothing else, it was captivating to explore the world of this private, but extraordinary people.
There was no need whatever for the full-on nudity in the final scene. Have we come to the point where we think that 12-year-olds can see absolutely anything and not be affected? It's surprising it didn't cause an outcry. 'Brokeback' had suspense and excitement, 'Laundrette' was fearless. With my eyes wide open, I couldn't see what this film had to offer.
www.scottishreview.net
Aaron Fleischman (Zohar Shtrauss) is ascetic and respected by his peers. He has a solid family unit, but there is a profound void in his life. He reopens his late father's butchers and finds he needs help. Enter Ezri (Ran Danker), a winsome, wandering student, whom Aaron hires, ostensibly to get closer to God.
The assumption is that Ezri is already gay. He has a past and the rumour is that he is a 'curse to righteous men'. At first, Aaron rejects Ezri's advances. He says, without believing it himself, that 'God created lust for catharsis of the soul'. But soon they are closing early to engage in acts of licentious carnality.
I found the under-acting, especially by Aaron, deeply irritating. Sure, he meant to convey an unspoken love, but he is never anything but aloof. Perhaps that was the intention. The few ethical debates Aaron has with his Rabbi are interesting (the Rabbi believes that alcohol can be consumed because 'God does not want us to suffer').
With more impassioned acting and more set pieces (instead of the myriad shots of meat being chopped), it could have rivalled 'Brokeback Mountain' or 'My Beautiful Laundrette'. If nothing else, it was captivating to explore the world of this private, but extraordinary people.
There was no need whatever for the full-on nudity in the final scene. Have we come to the point where we think that 12-year-olds can see absolutely anything and not be affected? It's surprising it didn't cause an outcry. 'Brokeback' had suspense and excitement, 'Laundrette' was fearless. With my eyes wide open, I couldn't see what this film had to offer.
www.scottishreview.net