Reunion

This movie involves around two male teenagers. They spend most of their time together. They barely interact with any other classmates. It is a sweet boyhood friendship movie, but is it also hinting at a homosexual relationship? There are so many other classmates that the newcomer could have picked, he picked this particular one.

Generally speaking, this is a good movie. You won't even notice when it comes to an end. It seems to be so sudden.

Every time I talk about or remember this movie, I feel very touched and emotional. It made a tremendous impression upon me. I consider the acting extremely well done. The characters were very convincing. I found it an exercise with dealing with prejudice. For anybody who has had close friendships in their adolescent, I would recommend this film.

Robards delivers a wonderful performance as an aging Jewish man who was sent away from Germany aged 16 in 1932 by his parents, for his own safety. He'd befriended a high-born non-Jewish boy his age prior to his departure. He returns to Germany to find out what happened to his friend. The ending is surprising and very deeply moving as a result of the significant, lengthy, and gratifying cinematic demonstration of their growing friendship as boys.

I saw the film only once, way back in 1989 when it came out in Europe. I was very touched than: the film, its characters, colors, landscapes and music echoed in my head and heart for a long time after, although I remember beeing under heavy private and professional pressure at the time.

Those echos never stopped to come up, and two weeks ago, after a long night with some friends discussing films, directors and so forth, Jerry Schatzberg's name came up, and I could not withstand to recount my experience with REUNION. The day after I rented the film: believe me, after 15 years it had almost the same effect on me. "Almost" because after 15 years I have changed...

I'd hope more people would make films like that, not only plotwise: Schatzberg's craftsmanship and art of storytelling makes him one of the finest artists of his kind.

P.S.: If in this review I would rather not talk about the plot, characters or other details, this is because I don't want to spoil your viewing pleasure. If a review makes you curious, go rent the film: you will not be disappointed...

I can't help but being impressed by the charm and angst that this film produces. On one hand we have two lonely boys from completely different backgrounds and religions who form a strong friendship, only to have politics and antisemitism destroy it. The photography is awesome. The acting superb. A terribly tragic feeling is left with the viewer at the end of the film, although one can also find redemption. A haunting movie.