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.

In my opinion, this is the type of movie that should have worked a lot better than it did.

With seasoned fine actors like James Caan Tom Hollander, Rosanna Arquette, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers one would think that even more so. However, the characters here are too superficial, the thematic elements often fall into melodrama, and there are a number of scenes that are just head-shakingly bad.

For example, Caan's character, the cantankerous Harry, who as you probably know by now has moved to Israel to run a pig farm, has not heard from his daughter (Efrat Dor) for a little while as she's traveling to meet him at the farm. So when she finally shows up, what does he do? Hug her:? No! He slaps her hard across the face. Huh? Other than that scene, there's no other traces of Harry being abusive physically.

Overall, there are some moments that work here, but for the most part I thought the film came across as frustrating, even annoying and just didn't work.

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.

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.

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.