Holy Lands

If this work was based on an actual family's story it might have resonated better but, Amanda Sthers, seemingly fictional story, tends to miss its mark.

The writing style tries way too hard to be 'trendy/modern' as well as too often jarringly 'different' for its own sake- this tends to make it rather more boring than involving, IE; why did the main character choose 'Pig' farming in Israel?

With a more conventional approach it might have been more human, As is, it's just too overloaded with 'political' statements about certain elements of modernity, and unsure of its connections with the past (as it tends to perhaps need more of) Has moments of thoughtfulness but, not enough to cut through the convoluted melodramatics to make you fully care.

Its a drama that does a take on many issues and topics. its an old american emigrating to israel, the holy land, to start a pigfarm, an illdescision in a jewish/muslim area. so he meets grat protests from a lot of religious groups and people.

at the same time his former wife who still live in newyork ,gets ill, and will die soon. they have a son whos gay, and a daughter that seems to full time student forever.

its a story about death,birth, relations, friendship, religion, cousine,rituals,traditions, politics, love, hate, and pigfarming

the technical product is nice, the score lives its own life, the acting are allover good, but what seems to me as a drawback is the fast jumping between the persons and locations. it makes it all seem so incoherent, so if your not in the mood you might leave the show pretty fast. but the playtime is perfect and the story is good so the grumpy old man can recommend a watch

I read the novel, which is a collection of letters between the characters, when it first came out. I really enjoyed the film! It has the same feel as the book, which makes sense as the author is also the writer and director. If you haven't read the book, I can see where you may feel it is a bit jumpy.

The acting is great, Hollander is my favorite actor and I always enjoy James Caan as well. They work well together and I really enjoyed their scenes. The supporting cast is also charismatic.

The story is, again, enhanced by having read the book I think. We're looking into the lives of these characters, and the events take a realistic approach in not giving a big resolution. I feel this enforces the principle that time goes on, and nothing is ever wrapped up in a big tidy bow forever.

Overall it is a sweet film about friendship, family, love, growing old, and death. I think it teaches a few timely lessons. It's an easy way to pass a couple of hours.

Another movie sort of about Israel, that shows the author knows nothing about Israel or Israelies. It's a very two-sided depiction. I guess the audience won't know the difference.

It makes it annoying for us who are from here.

If the story, acting, directing or anything else about this movie was worthwhile... it could be ignored.

Waste of time.

Holy Lands is a delightful and realistic film about friendship, family problems and love. The chemistry between the rabbi and the doctor is a joy to watch as their friendship develops. The cast are all tremendous actors and work well together. Jonathan Rhys Meyers in his small role brings a freshness and it's the best film he's done in a long time.