Golda

Having experienced the Yom Kippur War living 10 minutes from Israel's border with both Syria and Jordan, I was very interested to see Golda. There is a lot in this film that captures aspects of Israeli mentality and culture, presented in such a subtle way that it is not until after viewing the film may become apparent to someone who reflects on what the film portrayed.

More than anything, however, Golda is about Golda. It might surprise some viewers to realize that much of her persona was shaped by having escaped the pogroms of what is now the Ukraine. She was only a child when her family came as immigrants to the US and the film shows a side of her haunted by what might have been had they not made it to a safer country.

Another interesting element of her story is illustrated by her exchanges with Henry Kissinger. To avoid a "spoiler" I will instead urge the viewer to pay close attention to the inter-actions between them, always behind closed doors.

Golda is a history lesson wrapped in a biography. It is solid film making with good writing, directing and an outstanding performance from Helen Mirren. It captures an amazing phenomenon: the experience of war time leadership born on the shoulders (and in the kitchen) of a woman who carried this burden with incredible courage, sensitivity, intelligence, and honesty.

I've always had a fascination with war time leaders and those of courage and fighting with bull dog spirit... From Churchill in WWII to never surrender to 1980s Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher and from The Holy Land in the Middle East... New founded Israel's only female Prime Minster 'Golda Meir' in the 3 week long 'Yom Kippur War' with its chain smoking coffee swigging leader keeping her cool and holding her nerve against Egypt & Syria's attack on Israel.

Film plays out day by day in the style and tension of 'The Darkest Hour' Golda being supported by her war cabinet and defending their new founded nation from its establishing in 1948.

Also Henry Kissinger played By Liev Schreiber is just brilliant as America's Secretary of Defence and a key ally of Israel and both have this kindred spirit with both of them being Jewish from European countries, shows an understanding of what's at stake for their race

Helen Mirren is just brilliant, not just in looking incredibly similar to its iconic leader but everything from mannerisms and shear determination to prevail and to defend its Nation...

A nervy, adrenaline induced movie that grips from start to finish, brilliant!

Too minimalistic, it lacked details about Golda's rich life. It left me with many questions and dissatisfaction. She deserves more than just showing her part in the war and the peace with Egypt.

Her legacy is nothing compared to who she was, to what she did, to how she even became the first female president ever. The struggles she went throughout her political career are not only the war. The movie should have been named 'Kipur War' and not 'Golda' since it didn't even SHOW Golda as a whole. Iv'e expected to know her more and have more personal outlook on her life. Either way- I appreciate Hellen and her marvelous acting skills.

It's a wartime biopic of the Yom Kippur War (October 1973) from the perspective of Golda Meir, Israel's Prime Minister. It shows her cabinet relationships, connections to close staff, responses to the Israeli military's failures and successes early in the war, and relationship with Henry Kissinger, the U. S. secretary of state.

"Golda" portrays Golda Meir (Helen Mirren) as a frumpy, chain-smoking 75-year-old woman with lymphoma. Her confidante and assistant is Lou Kaddar (Camille Cottin). She regularly meets with Minister of Defence Moshe Dayan (Rami Heuberger), Defence Forces Chief of Staff David Elazar (Lior Ashkenazi), Mossad Director Zvi Zamir (Rotem Keinan), and Military Intelligence Director Eli Zeira (Dvir Benedek). We also meet various military commanders, including Ariel Sharon (Ohad Knoller).

"Golda" unfolds on a day-by-day basis, beginning with Israel's lack of proper intelligence in early October 1973 and through the war that started on the 6th and ended on the 25th. Meir's spirits ebb and flow, but she maintains a decisive nature and steely exterior in negotiations, especially with Henry Kissinger. In contrast, Moshe Dayan appears weak and rattled. Some actual news clips from the era appear from time to time, giving a documentary-like impression.

Helen Mirren is marvelous as Golda Meir. Camille Cottin and Lior Ashkenazi are also very strong. Ohad Knoller is appropriately flamboyant as Ariel Sharon. The cinematography is a mixed bag--some is very strong and creative. Still, Meir's incessant staring into the night and never without a cigarette in hand, even when taking oxygen in the hospital, seemed a bit much.

"Golda" could have provided more pre-war context about Golda Meir; it dumped an undefined woman into a critical national crisis. "Golda" also omits significant war events like Israel's acceptance of a cease-fire in place on October 12 that Egypt rejected.

I saw it for Helen Mirren. And, indeed, she offers a splendid performance.

I liked , very much, this precise crafted docudrama , proposing a fair perspective about a politician in middle of a terrible war, fragil and the most powerful from members of her cabinet, impressed by sacrifices of Israeli soldiers and unpitifull in crucial moments, using, in wise manner, the relation with Henry Kissinger , admirable acted by Liev Schreiber.

A beautiful film for many profound special scenes, from the metamorphose of cigare smoke to the dialogue with Kissinger in kitchen and the birds on the hall of hospital.

Not exctly a biopic. But useful, for many reasons, anatomy of a moment defining the history of Israel not only as isolated event but as definition of its survive tools , people, reactions, power.