The Chosen
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Movie Reviews of The Chosen
Movie Review: Amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an amazing movie, it is one that touches on interpersonal relationships, the most unlikely of friendships, some culture of the ultra-orthodox jews, zionism in the late 50's, the american opinion of the formation of Israel and many other things. Over all I think it is a great movie for anyone, jew or gentile who wants to learn about that era in our nation's history and certainly anyone interested in a view of jewish history with an enthralling plot.Movie Review: The Inner Life of Judaism
Summary: 5 Stars
Most films made about traditional (Orthodox) Jews
and Judaism rapdily degenerate into stereotypes,
a common example being that religious Jews are
weaklings out of touch with the society around them.
This film is an notable exception. This is the only
film that really delves into the inner life of traditional
Judaism. We are shown the differences between the
Hasidic and non-Hasidic forms of Judaism, the love
of knowledge and learning, the tension between those
religious Jews who zealously guard all old customs
and attitudes and other religious Jews who are more
open to modern science and scholarship. Regarding
the stereotypes mentioned above we see how the
Hasidic groups made a point of showing other people
that they could be physically fit.
Other important things brought out in the film
are examples of the strict moral disciplines some
people subject themselves to in order to reach
a higher spriritual plane and even more important,
the different responses traditional Jews had to the
Holocaust and the creation of the State of Israel.
One thing that is really interesting in the film
is the performance of Rod Steiger as Reb Saunders,
the Hasidic Rebbe who is presented as gentle, but
firm. It is hard to believe that Steiger was
offered the role of the arrogant, blustering General
George Patton before George C Scott accepted it.
Steiger must be quite a flexible actor! I also
agree that having seen Maximilian Schell in
"Judgment at Nuremberg" and "A Bridge too Far"
where he plays Germans defending Nazis or Nazism,
it is a little hard to accept him as a traditional
Jewish scholar in this film.
Still, I highly recommend this film for someone who
wants to get a fuller view of what traditional
Judaism, as practiced in the United States in the
20th century, is like.
Movie Review: A Touching Film About The Hassidic Lifestyle
Summary: 5 Stars
This 1982 film, based on the novel by Chaim Potok, himself a Jew,is a moving and detailed adaptation. Stars Robbie Benson and Rod Steiger. I saw this film on PBS channel 28. The Jewish soul of
this film shines through beautifully and sadly, effectively using Hassidic clothing and glimpses of the lifestyle, which is
oddly at variance with the rapidly modernizing New York City of the World War II Era. Robby Benson delivers a fine performance
as the American young man who befriends a Hassidic Jew and assimilates the Jewish lifestyle. Their friendship is rocky at best. His Jewish friend has been raised by a strict father who
upholds the traditonal and orthodox way of life (he's even got him engaged to another Jewish girl)ad shuns modern thinking. He is against the Zionist movement which sought to make Israel its own free state, but the Father in this film believes only God and his Messiah can deliver them. Never has a movie been more embracing of the Jewish faith and old traditions than this movie.
Hebrew music is authentically used. The overwhelming sadness and horror hits you when they feature clips from the slaughter of thousands of Jews in the Holocaust during Hitler's Nazi regime in Europe.
With a sad, reflective mood and a long run of time, this film does seem to be straight from the equally long novel. But it's a great film and I recommend anyone who is a fan of Potok or Robby Benson the actor. The relationship between the boys and the difference between their fathers- one father is old-fashioned and fiery while the other is peaceful, but modern. It's a look at the difference between the two distinct worlds. In the end, the Jewish boy who always wanted to practice psychiatry, is allowed by a father who finally consents. It's a moving and poignant film. The acting and the script, lifted from the book, is quite good. Why did'nt this get any recognition in the Oscars of 1982 ? Or did it ? This film is before my time but it's superb and I feel it's Oscar worthy material. You will see what I mean.
Movie Review: Very moving
Summary: 5 Stars
I just saw The Chosen on TV. I had seen it once before but watched it again. It is a fascinating and well-acted story of the friendship between two teen-aged boys, a Chasidic Jew, and an observant, but secular Jew. One reviewer complained that Maximilian Schell was too German to play a Jew. I found him very believable as the Zionist father of one of the boys. Rod Steiger as the Orthodox Rabbi was amazing. I didn't see the opening credits and couldn't guess that he was playing the part. Steiger usually chews the scenery, but here he is very restrained and moving as the father who sacrifices closeness with his son for the boy's own good.
This is a film with many levels that bears watching over again. I have not read the book, and others here have said it is better. Movies are a different experience, and this one is very good.
Movie Review: ahhhh, yes.
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie was written with all of the feel-good kind of action that this man can muster. Robby Benson, go, go for me and eveyrone who must be subject to this kind of primordial browbashing. It throws me for a loop when I see it in action and by all means, it just makes sense.