Hello Goodbye

The Out-of-Towners Go to Israel is one way to describe this offering from French director Graham Guit. Alain Gaash (Gérard Depardieu) is a Parisian gynecologist and not especially devout Jew (not even circumcised—the source of much aspersion and occasional amusement). Wife Gisèle (Fanny Ardant), who converted to Judaism in order to marry, finds herself at loose ends when their son leaves the nest and weds. Driven by a convert's idealistic ardor and convinced that they aren't “Jewish enough,” Gisèle persuades her reluctant spouse to visit, and then relocate to, Tel Aviv. Things don't go well, to say the least. The locals aren't exactly welcoming (“There are no Jews here—just Israelis,” says one), the hospital gig Alain was promised fails to materialize, and the seaside condo they bought remains unfinished (although even if it were, the pair would have nothing to put in it, since the container with all of their belongings was tossed overboard from a cargo ship en route from France). To top it off, Gisèle develops a crush on their young rabbi. Guit and co-writer Michael Lellouche appear to be aiming for a rom-com or a touching portrait of a loving couple in midlife crisis, but the film is neither especially funny nor particularly poignant. And while Depardieu and Ardant show that it's possible for an older couple to have a playfully sexy, romantic relationship without resorting to Jack Nicholson-esque wisecracks, a few ridiculous plot turns and a sappy ending ultimately dilute Hello Goodbye's potential charm. Optional. (S. Graham)