This very minor 1995 effort from Israel's leading filmmaker Amos Gitai follows a trio of friends on their respective paths to long-overdue maturity: Goldman (played rather badly by Gitai), a passive guy caring for his mother following the death of his father; Cesar (Assi Dayan), a self-proclaimed Romeo who proposes marriage to two women; and Israel (Amos Schub), a would-be pianist seduced by one of Cesar's lovers. Perhaps the film is meant to be a commentary on today's Israel, or maybe it is just a case of overgrown Peter Pans moping around Tel Aviv struggling to achieve the emotional maturity necessary for genuine adulthood. But at 110 minutes, this is a grueling experience, one not helped by Gitai's lethargically artsy direction and a painfully self-indulgent and immature screenplay (based on a novel by Ya'ackov Shabatai). Only Gitai's most rabid followers will likely have the patience for this; others can safely pass. Not recommended. [Note: Gitai's 1998 Yom Yom is also newly available on DVD.] (P. Hall)
Devarim
Kino, 110 min., in Hebrew w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.95 Volume 21, Issue 4
Devarim
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