An Extraordinary Film

Rating: 10/10 (22 May 2006)

An extraordinary film. I struggled with my preconception that Spielberg, conceptually, would be heavy handed against the Palestinian/Arab side of the story. Thrity minutes into the film, my amazement began to grow at the depth of this film. Half way through the film Spielberg's involvement was not even a thought in my mind. At the end of the film I was left dazed at the compelling depth of the story, the quality of the acting and the technical mastery with which the film was made. Though I have always admired Spielberg for his talent and mastery, I have never much appreciated his actual films. This is by far and away his greatest achievement. I cannot think of a better film that was made in 2005, nor really, one better done yet this century.
Unless I am utter blind and stupid, I would recommend this film equally to Arab or Jew, liberal or conservative. The story defines the situation, the predicament, the history so fully, and thought the point of view is definitely from an Israeli set of eyes, the humanity his enemies so rocks and disrupts his soul that he literally has to walk away. The symbolism of the final scene of the film is remarkable. And those two buildings standing in the background that are no longer there then tell us why Spielberg used so much Vertical patterns in his shots. Kushner and Roth's screenplay is superb. A story told and directed by Jews that is basically asking the questionwhat is all this madness and where will it end?
In our own way, we are all looking over our shoulders, we are all questioning what has happened, we must all be questioning what we have been lead to believe, we are all clinging to our identities while questioning who it is we are in the process of becoming, we are all blinded by this flash and choking in the smoke trying to resurrect some concept, some hope, some tattered dream of peace. But after watching this film few who view it can in honesty turn away untouched. I was deeply disturbed by the truths that this film exposed. My 17 yr old niece refused to watch it because it was too real, instead she wanted to watch "Scarface" for the 20th time.
This film should be taught in schools as a reflection of history. I hope that a similar effort exists or will emerge from a Palestinian point of view that will reflect the same depth and complexity of this dilemma, which is not exceeded by any other.
Peace be to Mr. Spielberg and anyone who watches this film with as open a mind and courageous a heart as those who made it.