Holy Lands

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.

Not particularly shallow either. It's just trying way too hard. Holy Land expects to tick off the viewers emotions in a box like fashion - emotions don't work like that. Viewing it more resembles an awkward dating experience than the emotional rollercoaster it is trying to be.

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

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.

Or is it Caaning? Does that make sense? Also it is just a riff on his name that makes no sense and leaves you completely without any emotion? This could be the movie I'm talking about? Well you'll be the judge of that ... James Caan and the other actors are always great, no matter what they play (fictional/real, made up or true story).

This may be more engaging to some people - more so than to others. It is well played but it didn't really touch a nerve with me. It moves along nicely enough (pacing wise), but also does not give me much. Again, just a personal thing observation. It is well done and those who cherish in this type of drama will have more to "win" from watchin this, than others do.