Yossi & Jagger

At a mere 67 minutes, this modest Israeli film may be more anecdote than full-scale drama, but as a cinematic short story about two soldiers who keep their mutual affection secret during a tour of duty at an isolated post on the Lebanese border, Yossi & Jagger is reasonably effective. The tale unfolds over a single wintry day, during which group leader Yossi and handsome, lighthearted private Jagger frolic in the snow until they're interrupted by the arrival of a company commander who orders Yossi's exhausted crew to set up an ambush for a suspected terrorist infiltration later that night. Much of the running-time is devoted to Jagger's encouraging Yossi to reveal his sexual inclinations and the latter's refusal to do so, but other subplots are introduced, the most notable involving a female soldier's interest in Jagger, which sparks a jealous reaction from another member of the company attracted to her. But for the most part the film concentrates on its central relationship, and the sharp writing and nicely modulated performances, along with director Eytan Fox's ability to convey the close, confining atmosphere of the outpost, lend the film a strong sense of authenticity, while a brief epilogue set on the following day adds to the emotional punch. A minor but affecting study of men caught between their personal desires and societal expectations, this is recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a foreign language music video and trailers. Bottom line: a forgettable extras package for a small but affecting film.] (F. Swietek)