Ein Engel names Levin

When I looked up Harry Belafonte on netflix.com, this movie was listed as available for streaming. And so it is that I'm now reviewing what was previously unknown to me. Zero Mostel is unemployed because of a bad back and his wife (Ida Kaminska) is bedridden. Belafonte claims to be an angel in order to help with his problems but he has some of his own like a woman named Sally (Gloria Foster) who can't forgive him for his condescending attitude toward her. I'll stop there and just say part of me was confused by the narrative especially when Harry just keeps on making one uncomfortable with his profanities and not-always-trusting manner. Mostel also makes himself hard to identify with especially when he argues with his wife. Still, it was fascinating to watch and I was never bored. So on that note, The Angel Levine is at the least worth a look. P.S. I have to mention that Ms. Foster was born in the same city I was which was Chicago, Ill.

Only viewers who are partial to stories that don't clearly differentiate between the real and the imaginary are likely to respond positively to this picture. But the fuzziness of that dividing line is one of the major themes, and as such is rendered effectively. Levine may be an angel from above, or merely a hoodlum with a snappy line of patter - along with a conscience. To its credit, the story works both ways. And if Mishkin has the same beneficial effect on Levine's spiritual life that Levine has on Mishkin's, then the story works on yet a third level of interpretation. The picture slows noticeably in a few spots: as an adaptation of a short story it cannot quite sustain a hour and forty minutes of running time without flagging a bit. Zero Mostel is outstanding, bringing the character to life with every gesture, inflection, movement and facial expression. Harry Belafonte's limited range is barely adequate, but the small supporting cast is a strong one. Those who savor the real/imaginary byplay are also likely to enjoy "Finding Graceland" and "Bronco Billy."

The Angel Levine is about multiple characters who have lost hope. Everyone of them deals with death in their own ways. The movie is a study on faith as much as it is a study on race. The film is flawed and worse, it is forgotten. To include two giants of the motion pictures, Zero Mostel and. Harry Belafonte, to have a limited audience is a crime. No matter what you believe, The Angel Levin talks bout the pains we all face as humans. A hidden gem of a story, I hope it continues to find an audience in years to come.

Any film starring Zero Mostel is worth watching, and The Angel Levine is no exception. Sadly the film has aged rather poorly, with Harry Belafonte's hipster jive clearly belonging in the New York City of 30 years ago. Whether the film should be viewed literally, as a tale of personal redemption and healing, or as the fable most reviewers assume it to be, is uncertain. There's enough good acting here--especially from Mostel and Ida Kaminska as his dying wife--to recommend this strange little art piece.

Jewish tailor Morris Mishkin (Zero Mostel) can't work anymore due to a back problem. He's disowned his daughter for marrying an Italian. He's got a wife who's very ill and the bills just keep piling up. Times are tough, to say the least. An angel named Alexander (Harry Belafonte) appears to Morris offering to help. But Morris has lost his faith so he doesn't believe in angels, let alone black ones who use foul language and yell a lot. But Alexander can't help unless Morris believes again.

Good cast can only do so much. The script has some nice moments but is mostly a meandering mess. It has a limited premise yet it feels incredibly padded. It's full of familiar stereotypes and tropes, albeit mostly well-meaning ones. Your mileage may vary on how much the intention matters. It's a simple culture clash story with a little bit of dated social commentary and a downbeat ending that makes you feel like your time was wasted. A disappointing but not entirely worthless viewing experience.