Treasure

The movie is very moving. It shows the different facets of the victim and repression and the urge to protect the children from it, but also the daughter's point of view, who wants to know and understand what her family had to go through. In addition, the relationship between two adults who have the role of child and father is palpable. Both characters only want the best for each other, even though they appear to be mutual. The story doesn't feel like a movie you're watching. You are emotionally taken along on the journey and can experience some of the poignant moments. Beautiful and sad at the same time, it shows the resilience of a person who has experienced tragedy and can still experience joyful moments at the same places.

After the loss of her mother, Ruth decides to make a pilgrimage to Poland and learn about her parents' past. Her father, Edek, decides to join her and make it a daughter-father's trip. As Ruth and Edek travel through Poland, they learn and relive the Jewish people's history and experience how things are in the present. As they travel together, Edek and Ruth learn more about each other, share their burdens, and grow closer.

This film is based on the true story of the child of two Auschwitz death camp survivors and her journey to learn about her family. The story is approached delicately. While the subject is heavy, the story is told simultaneously in a manner that is both serious and lighthearted. The story develops slowly, making the audience feel the nearly two-hour runtime. This film has multiple themes the audience can focus on, and by the end, it is a very gratifying watch. This is a decent watch once it is available to stream.

In 'inspired by truth' father / daughter drama "Treasure" 36 yr old Jewish New Yorker Lena Dunham visits Poland (in 1991) with dad Stephen Fry (not good - largely due to his effected accent) to see where he grew up before WWII, when he & his business-owning family were displaced from their home to the Auschwitz death camp... a past he's always been reluctant to discuss with her. Director / co-writer (with John Quester) Julia von Heinz keeps her first English-language movie as light as possible, but obviously the subject matter is dark & sombre. It's a noble film, on a subject all should be educated on... but it sure isn't easy 'feel good' viewing.

Treasure follows Ruth, the daughter of two Polish/Jewish Holocaust survivors, who journeys to Poland in 1991 to see places important to her family's story. Ruth's father, Edek, only accompanies her because he doesn't believe a women should travel alone. The best, most poignant scenes are a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where Edek and his late wife were imprisoned, and a scene where a family treasure is found.

The rest of the movie is tedious, with many father/daughter disputes, including a very awkward argument in front of three people they only met a few days before. The lack of tolerance between Ruth and Edek is painful to watch. Although Ruth wants to find her Polish roots, she seems disdainful of the Polish people and culture, even the food.

The movie is inaccurately billed as a comedy/drama. I didn't expect much comedy, and most attempts at humor fell flat. The few touching moments are overwhelmed by exaggerated father/daughter conflict.

I thought I wouldn't like it because of the Stephen Fry insert in such a serious movie. But boy was I wrong, and quick to judge!

If you're rating this less than a 6, I can only assume you're either a soursop or someone who prefers mass-market pop movies like those churned out by Marvel. This film offers so much more than surface-level entertainment; it has depth, originality, and craftsmanship that deserve recognition. While it might not cater to mainstream tastes, it's a refreshing alternative for those who appreciate cinema with substance and a unique voice. Don't overlook its brilliance just because it's not what you're used to seeing in big-budget blockbusters.

It challenges viewers to think deeply and engage with its narrative, rather than passively consume flashy visuals. This is a film made for those who appreciate cinema as an art in its purest form.