The Bubble
by Eytan Fox
List Price:
Our Price: $10.12
You Save: $17.87 (64%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $10.05 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alon Friedmann, Daniela Wircer, Ohad Knoller, Yousef 'Joe' SweidDirector: Eytan Fox
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); Arabic (Original Language); Hebrew (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 117 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-02-12
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Strand Releasing
Movie Reviews of The Bubble
Movie Review: A beautiful love story
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been a fan of Eytan Fox since I saw the tragic love story, "Yossi and Jagger". I wasn't aware of "The Bubble" until I saw a review of it in a recent catalogue. As luck would have it, a local video store just added a copy and I snatched it up.
Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed although I must admit, the inevitable ending broke my heart. The story follows three young Israelis who share an apartment in Tel Aviv. From their history, it seems there has been a revolving door of failed romances. However, after a fateful meeting at a checkpoint between Noam, one of the roommates, and Ashraf, a Palestinian, a true love begins to blossom. Fox makes the romance very real and watching the two young men from very different worlds fall in love is handled tenderly----a deep contrast to the violence that surrounds the city they live in (their perfect little "bubble").
Though Ashraf has no Israeli ID, the roommates keep him in their apartment and arrange a job for him to stay in the city. Once his identity is blown, though, he panics and returns home to prepare for the upcoming wedding of his sister. His sister, Rana, is engaged to Jihad, a radical, who believe terrorism is the means to getting the message across to the Israelis. In a couple of horrible events that affects both Noam and Ashraf, the end of the two lovers short-lived utopia is set in motion. The final scene between Noam and Ashraf was heart rendering and left me unsettled and wishing that the troubles in that very complex and volatile region could be solved once and for all. But as Ashraf's voice over says "They probably never will."
Its a shame that the Oscars didn't recognize an amazing film like this in their "foreign film" category. This film is as good as "Brokeback Mountain" or any of the other contenders and, in my opinion, shows their continued closed-mindedness to gay themed movies. The moments between Noam and Ashraf are sincere and as loving as you'll see in any other film dealing with romance. By the ending, you are praying the two will find a way to be together, away from the horrible killings and death that seems to be a part of every day life in the middle east.
Three of the actors were standouts. Ohan Knoller, also of "Yossi and Jagger" is very good as the mellow, music loving Noam. Knoller gives Noam a very layed back and easy going persona, who's also sensitive and kind. He's a very charming actor and I look forward to seeing him in more roles. Also, the beautiful and equally charming, Daniela Wircer, (as one character calls her "an Israeli Carrie Bradshaw"), who is looking for Mr. Right but keeps ending up with losers (although Mr. Right is right under her nose!) Finally, Yousef Sweid, as the handsome Palestinian who steals Noam's heart. Sweid does a great job as a young man torn between his first real love and his culture, which views homosexuality with abhorrence and disdain. His sister's reaction was so sad for me to watch, showing that this young man had no one in his corner in the world in which he grew up.
Some will find the ending very controversial but I found it just sad and an unfortunate reality of our world today. I hope you will take time to see this movie and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I will certainly be adding this film to my dvd collection. Highly recommended.
Summary of The Bubble
Three young Israelis, two guys and a girl, share an apartment in Tel Aviv's hippest neighborhood: headstrong Lulu, who works in a bath products boutique; flamboyant Yali, who manages a trendy café; and brooding music store clerk Noam, who spends his weekends serving at checkpoints in the National Guard. When Noam meets and falls in love with a Palestinian man named Ashraf, he and his friends conspire to help Ashraf stay on in Tel Aviv illegally. They participate in a beach rally, celebrating a peaceful coexistence, and calling for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories. But ultimately, their carefully constructed utopia is shattered by the political and social realities of the Middle East, and the constant outbursts of violence.Similar DVD Movies
Plan BWolfe; Release date: 2010-10-26; DVD
Best price: $11.58
Price in other shops:
Judas KissWolfe; Release date: 2011-10-25; DVD
Best price: $14.93
Price in other shops:
David's BirthdayWolfe; Release date: 2010-11-09; DVD
Best price: $11.68
Price in other shops:
Broken SkyRelease date: 2007-01-16; DVD
Best price: $13.97
Price in other shops:
Regular GuysTLA Releasing; Release date: 2003-09-23; DVD
Best price: $8.78
Price in other shops:
HarvestRelease date: 2011-11-15; DVD
Best price: $10.42
Price in other shops:
Walk on WaterSony; Release date: 2005-08-30; DVD
Best price: $8.03
Price in other shops:
The StringTLA Releasing; Release date: 2010-10-19; DVD
Best price: $11.19
Price in other shops:
Yossi & JaggerREL; Release date: 2004-03-30; DVD
Best price: $11.92
Price in other shops:
BufferingRelease date: 2011-12-06; DVD
Best price: $13.43
Price in other shops: