Gli eletti

I watched this film recently in class (intro to Western Religion) when we were learning about the ethics in Judaism. I was late for class, so I missed the beginning. However, the parts I managed to see were excellent. "The Chosen" might be the most entertaining film I've ever been forced to watch.

I felt that the story was engrossing; I actually cared about the characters and their friendship. I also thought that the acting was superb. However, I kept being distracted by the fact that Robby Benson looked like Hayden Christensen. For a film used as an educational tool, I could not have asked for much better. This is a very well made and interesting movie. It will teach you a lot.

The first word to define it was "magnificent". For the delicate freshness. For the precise definition of tradition, fatherhood, Hasidic life, friendship. For the inspired portrait of the birth of a world. For lovely performances. For the grace of atmosphere. And for its status of film about fundamental things defining each of us. A great film, a pure gem.

This film is beautiful and thought-provoking in a number of ways. The story is a "normal" account of two Jewish boys growing up during World War II and the creation of the Jewish State. The situations in the film are not overly dramatized or sensationalized. Regular moments with family and friends are rightly judged to be sufficiently interesting to form the basis of a compelling drama.

Historical context serves as a vibrant backdrop for the lives of traditional Jews, who form an ever-diminishing minority, and progressive Jews, who still seek to hold to their heritage while embracing aspects of modern life. The conflict between the two worldviews is marvelously expressed through the friendship of the two boys and through the differences in their fathers, each of whom completely embodies a certain way of life. The film also makes a strong point about children following and not following in their parents' footsteps, and how someone's essence is more important than his career.

There is a Jewish-inspired pathos to this movie that is difficult to describe, but very moving to watch. The acting is great, and the writing is unparalleled. For a long time, I considered this my very favorite film. I have since realized that no one film can possibly occupy that spot, but this one is forever at the top of my list.

The Chosen is an excellent film. It opens up in an inner-city playground softball field, where Reuvan (Barry Miller) gets hit in the eye by a baseball hit by Danny (Robby Benson), an Hasidic Jew. The two soon become friends and teach each other about their different worlds. It's a very realistic film, not at all overdone as some films of this genre are. There are no fancy camera techniques, and the movie centers on character development rather than spiffy editing or cinematic style. The screenplay is superb and the acting is very believable. Rod Steiger as Danny's ultra-Orthedox rabbi father and Maximilian Schell as Reuven's liberal father along with Miller and Benson are excellent. Elmer Bernstein's quiet, Jewish sounding score is also a plus. This is an enjoyable film that has a lot to say about friendship, growing up, and religous faith.

I got this movie out from Dambusters in Golders Green not knowing how good it was going to be. This film is a joy to watch from start to finish. The acting is superb and the script is great as well.

The film provides an excellent drama between two Jewish guys one secular the other the son of a prominent frum Rabbi. Over the span of the film, you see their friendship develop and there are some real classic images of hassidic life including a Chassidic wedding. All the main actors play their part with real affection and dedication. Rod Steiger is in particular outstanding. This is all the more impressive given that guy was a non-jew.

This film should have won Oscars. Ach, what do they know?