Hanna K.

There is a good movie to be made of the Israel-Palestine conflict; but this is not it. The leading character is portrayed as a cipher, whose opinion sways according to which of her lovers -- the public prosecutor, or her Palestinian client -- she most recently slept with. It is an insult to the few Israeli women lawyers courageous enough to defend Palestinian clients, and I think they should sue for defamation.

Although it is laudable that Costa-Gavras attempts to show the suffering, and the struggle, of Palestinians expelled by the nascent Israeli state in 1948, this movie almost reduces them to bit players in the internal conflict of a confused woman. It does a disservice to both the Palestinian struggle and its own heroine. Costa-Gavras should be capable of much better than this tawdry pot-boiler.

Costa-Gavras raises some interesting and valid points here that are just as relevant today as they were 18 years ago.But like all backstage quarterbacks regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict he doesn't offer any suggestions to solve the problem.The real problem with this film though lies in Jill Clayburgh's performance.It never rises above a "TV Movie" level and she drags the whole cast and the story down with her.I think if somebody like Meryl Streep had starred in this picture,it would have been a completely different movie.

Costa-Gavras has superbly captured the mood and atmosphere of Jerusalem and its diverse people in this sombre work. It's an intriguing film for that reason alone. But he also has set a complex story with fascinating characters on that unique stage. You have to work at watching it a bit, but the effort is worthwhile. It's also one of Jill Clayburgh's best roles

Without going into details the movie explore an era that is sadly has gotten worse since, daring and telling the truth and going against what is said on the stream .

The acting would be a bit cold in certain scenes nevertheless it still delivered the message in a perfect way.

The atmosphere in Jerusalem feels so vivid and the scene when one of the protagonists walks in the street of and in the allee it felt really genuine how the people are selling, smithing and just walking or talking

The movie contain a lot of figurative scenarios that try to deliver a really nice message enjoyed the movie and I really wished it would last a bit longer .

Contrary to the comment by "pusic, Israel" (who may be somewhat biased in not wanting people to know anything about what Palestinians endure), I saw this movie a couple of times many years ago, on 'cable'. Naturally, it has never been shown on regular TV...

It concerns a Palestinian who was accused of something, and who is defended by a Jewish American female lawyer (Jill Clayburgh). It is to be noted that the cast includes both Jewish Israeli and Arab actors, in addition to Jill and French actors.

I found the movie interesting and refreshing in its condition of being an example of something of which we should see a lot more, if Hollywood studios were run by different people. As it is, I can't think of any other movie which relates to the West Bank and/or Gaza and takes place in the times since 1967.