L'amico ritrovato

Despite some traumatic sequences, this picture boasts careful, almost nostalgic location work in Stuttgart and the Schwarzwald. The conclusion may surprise you, mainly because the actions of the characters don't appear to foreshadow it at all. Nevertheless, it's a good piece of work, worthy of home-video release.

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.

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.

The performance of Jason Robards is incredibly understated, precisely what Harold Pinter's marvelous writing skills demand. I consider his performance a masterpiece of character development and found the movie spellbinding. Of all the holocaust stories this is the one I was able to relate to the best. I wish it would be available in video for all to appreciate.

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...