Jewboy (2005) User Reviews

It was nice for what it was...

[skay_baltimore · 7/10 · 11 September 2010]

...but it never really got off the ground. It was a metaphor for the peep show it displayed during the movie. It was a tease. But a good one. It did manage to capture some special moments. But it never developed anything. It was like looking at snippets of a movie, but not the entire movie.

The introduction scene was very well done. It showed the care that is given to a dead body in the Orthodox tradition. It's something that most people will never see. And it showed the angst of a Rabbi's son who, questioning his faith, is unsure about the direction in which he wants his life go. It also showed that even though Yuri was going through an existential crisis he did not totally abandon his deeply ingrained patterns (i.e. not touching the woman who had passed out in his cab).

But beyond that it just never became a full fledged movie. Just when it seemed as if it were going to connect all the dots, it ended. When this movie is compared to Ha-Ushpizin, or even A Stranger Among Us, it clearly comes up short. (some pun intended)

One of a kind

[ensor_ostende-1 · 10/10 · 8 January 2008]

Well, I saw this movie on TV (here in France, to see real good movies, tune in over Arte, the french-German post) and I must say : don't let you be surprised by a title ; I recognize I was a kind of reluctant to see the movie, afraid it might be some clichés about my people's life or worse...

But from the first take, Yuri's father's funeral, I knew this film was for me and my expectations : Jewish world (my world !) is describe with style and class, and furthermore, an interest overview about the community in Australia (according to some mates, is increasing while in other countries is decreasing at the same tempo) ; funny to notice although the movie takes place in Sidney, there's no visible great monument, yet you knew where the films takes place.

About the story : very original the idea about a studious Hassidim, son of the great Rabbi, returning from Eretz to see everyone expecting him to succeed his father, but instead he decides to become a taxi driver... very original ! About the characters : Ewen Leslie is very believable and sincere as Yuri and Naomi Wilson as his grandma Minnie also (ok, she makes a little to much Isaac B. Singer's character, but you feel she's really your grandma Minnie); for the other's, to bad that Saskia Burmeister's Rivka hadn't more time on the story, since I like this actress and she's very good young and true promising (not like some others... no personal allusion to a second zone french singer I dislike), cause I saw her at Wicked Science episodes here in France... she's good but to bad she's only given secondary (unimportant) roles.

Anyhow, feeling I lost myself... one thing to know about this movie : one of a kind ! really unique, sober, funny and sour (as Jewish life and humour are : from sadness to happiness)... simply excellent !!! 20 over 20, as French rates.

Toda & don't let me be misunderstood !

Interesting

[Crap_Connoisseur · 5 November 2005]

This interesting film covers a largely neglected subject matter: the Jewish experience in modern day Australia. Ewen Leslie gives a strong performance as Yuri, a young Jew who returns to Sydney for his father's funeral. This event causes Yuri to question his faith and he decides to give up his father's dream for him to become a Rabbi and finds work as a taxi driver instead. The film then explores Yuri's relationship with his religion and his awakening sexuality.

Tony Krawitz has crafted an intelligent film and treated his subject matter with much sensitivity. Australian viewers will particularly enjoy the stylised way in which locations are presented. It is no small feat to transform the shiny surrounds of Bondi into the gloomy, brooding place we see in the film.

My only real criticism of the film is the stereotypical nature of some of the supporting characters. Yuri's grandmother is yet another example of an old, meddling Jewish woman whose main priority in life is feeding people. Sarita, the Fijian taxi driver, is another character that feels underdeveloped. It's quite obvious that the supporting characters are simply there to reflect Yuri's journey and development. The blame for this might lie, however, with the film's short 50 minute running time.

All in all, this film represents an intriguing new voice in Australian cinema. Recommended!