dansview

I like the idea of a trip being the catalyst for change in a life or relationship. Because trips shake up our routine and force us to reevaluate. Especially if they have some sort of purpose.

People sometimes grow apart when either the dynamics of a relationship change, or people's interests change. It's not necessarily anyone's fault.

People are also sometimes attracted to someone who maybe other people are not attracted to. Meaning you can pass judgement on someone's attraction to another person.

Liam's character was lonely and wounded. So was Laura's. That may have been the source of the attraction.

Having said that, like many other reviewers I didn't find Laura's character appealing. She seemed petulant or irritated. Burned out. Cynical.

I found their mutual wry, sardonic, or slightly cynical banter during flirtation nauseating, but believable.

I was glad that the makers balanced the idealization of Morrocco with some realism during a key scene.

I also noticed the subtle characterization of the writers as Left wing, as most of the world probably is outright, including even more likely, artists and writers. I'm referring to one writer's comments about coal energy.

The film makers are also probably on the Left, as they portray our male protagonist's Wall Street colleagues as piranhas.

The scenery is quite nice. But honestly you can find that type of scenery in part of California or the American Southwest.

The pace was excruciatingly slow and the tone somber. That gets old. But the slowness did allow for characters to get to know each other. Although they didn't get too deep.

I thought the casting of the girlfriend was actually quite good. We never heard the young couple's back story, but perhaps they met in college.

She was quite supportive of her boyfriend's outsider status at the writer's retreat initially. Some have said that he was not supportive of her.

But I think her recent success as a writer had already changed the dynamics of their relationship, and he was already lukewarm toward her before the trip. The trip and conference just brought out what was bound to come out anyways. They were heading in different directions.

I'm glad that they did not overwhelm the imagery with a popular soundtrack. Just some local music.

Nice scenery, good eye candy for the women, a few good lines that sparked further thought, but super slow.

Orthodox Judaism, including in the group depicted in this series, revolves around a cycle of joyful celebrations.

There is one every weekend on the Sabbath and many holidays and life cycle events throughout the year. We hardly saw that. Everyone seems depressed or focusing on the Holocaust.

Not every female wants to join the secular world. Many enjoy being a wife and mother, and the continuity of serving God.

We did see that some of the women in the community who gave the girl encouragement did not seem unhappy.

We never hear our main character explain what it is she wants out of life and what she hates about her current life.

Does she want to dive into piano or have an amazing intimate life? She never told us fully.

The lifestyle of the young people she met in Berlin would not fit her, even if she wasn't religious. Not everyone is fit to be a musician or a European hipster. What was so great about them?

Unbridled freedom without any structure or rooted tradition is not necessarily fulfilling. So they play instruments and are sexually liberated. That's not for everyone.

But we get the sense that we are supposed to believe that their way is great and the Jewish way sucks.

I realize that this series was based upon a true story of one particular woman's life experience. But choosing an actress who is extremely small and intense stacks the deck for a dark portrayal.

Because her looks would add to her alienation. I don't think the real woman had quite that issue.

We only see three types of religious males. The drunken father, the thuggish cousin, and the ineffectual wimp. That's not fair. Did the real woman not have any other types in her world?

Having said all that, the Yiddish was thorough and realistic, and the photography in both cities was outstanding. Everyone did an excellent job of acting. The music was at time a bit heavy-handed or manipulative.

This story drags with some very slow patches showing a depressed lost girl wandering cities. But overall it was well done and poignant. Remember that it is just one woman's perspective, along with that of the film makers.

It might be interesting to see a series or film depicting a happy religious person who faces a moral dilemma and uses their faith to make a solid decision.

I loved this movie. I'm even ok with the lack of explanation for some of the technical details.

The footage of jets taking off and landing was spectacular. The storm sky was inventive and fun.

I loved the cast. James Farrentino is one of those guys you just can't help but root for.

The one problem was the lack of emotion from the entire crew regarding their predicament. People would be freaking out. But they weren't for the most part.

I love the twist at the end too. Very pleasing. Very little violence, no sex, and no profanity. That's fitting given Kirk Douglas as the star. Him being from an era before all that.

There is only one woman in the film. Katharine Ross is not your typical starlet. But she has a grace and appeal that can't be denied.

Good fun.