2008 Woodie Awards
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The Scene
'O Jerusalem' dramatizes Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Emotions soar, leaves message muddled
10/22/07
GRADE: B-
The conflict between the state of Israel and Palestine has been a major issue in Middle Eastern politics for the last 60 years. Released at the AMC Loews Dupont last Friday, "O Jerusalem" traces that conflict all the way back to its catalyst - the May 14, 1948 Declaration of Independence of the state of Israel and the subsequent Arab-Israeli War it incited.
Directed by Eli Chouraqui, "O Jerusalem" brings a story that, while cliché and implausible, carries with it powerful, emotional resonance.
"O Jerusalem" starts slowly in New York City on July 22, 1946, with a feel-good encounter between New York Jew, Bobby Goldman (JJ Feild), and Palestinian Muslim, Said Chahine (Said Taghmaoui). The two enjoy a close friendship until they find themselves drawn to Palestine and the Jewish struggle to establish the state of Israel. Once they arrive, relationships are torn asunder as Bobby finds himself fighting for Israeli independence and Said is swept up in the Palestinian forces.
Unfortunately for "O Jerusalem," the idea of friends finding themselves on opposing sides in wartime doesn't yield much in the way of originality. But even with that cliché, the film forges powerful moments of conflicting loyalties and emotions between friends who become bitter enemies.
The film's clash between Arabs and Jews contains far more drama than action. Sure, there are battle scenes, but they are marked by mismatched music scores, paltry choreography and minimal special effects. "O Jerusalem" would be a sorry excuse for an action-driven war movie if that's all the creators were shooting for.
What "O Jerusalem" lacks in action, however, it more than makes up for in emotion. The mostly unknown actors allow pure feelings that appear not contrived but instead very real.
Of course, the emotional impact is as much a product of the history behind the film as it is of the film itself. The emotion is so raw it appears completely out of control and, at multiple points, appears to have gotten away from the actors.
The conflict between the state of Israel and Palestine has been a major issue in Middle Eastern politics for the last 60 years. Released at the AMC Loews Dupont last Friday, "O Jerusalem" traces that conflict all the way back to its catalyst - the May 14, 1948 Declaration of Independence of the state of Israel and the subsequent Arab-Israeli War it incited.
Directed by Eli Chouraqui, "O Jerusalem" brings a story that, while cliché and implausible, carries with it powerful, emotional resonance.
"O Jerusalem" starts slowly in New York City on July 22, 1946, with a feel-good encounter between New York Jew, Bobby Goldman (JJ Feild), and Palestinian Muslim, Said Chahine (Said Taghmaoui). The two enjoy a close friendship until they find themselves drawn to Palestine and the Jewish struggle to establish the state of Israel. Once they arrive, relationships are torn asunder as Bobby finds himself fighting for Israeli independence and Said is swept up in the Palestinian forces.
Unfortunately for "O Jerusalem," the idea of friends finding themselves on opposing sides in wartime doesn't yield much in the way of originality. But even with that cliché, the film forges powerful moments of conflicting loyalties and emotions between friends who become bitter enemies.
The film's clash between Arabs and Jews contains far more drama than action. Sure, there are battle scenes, but they are marked by mismatched music scores, paltry choreography and minimal special effects. "O Jerusalem" would be a sorry excuse for an action-driven war movie if that's all the creators were shooting for.
What "O Jerusalem" lacks in action, however, it more than makes up for in emotion. The mostly unknown actors allow pure feelings that appear not contrived but instead very real.
Of course, the emotional impact is as much a product of the history behind the film as it is of the film itself. The emotion is so raw it appears completely out of control and, at multiple points, appears to have gotten away from the actors.
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