Una telefonata per ricordare

A CALL TO REMEMBER

Aspect ratio: 1.33:1

Sound format: Stereo

1967: After rebuilding their lives in America, two Jewish holocaust survivors (Blythe Danner and Joe Mantegna) are forced to confront their dark past when fate plays a cruel trick...

Unusual drama from TV specialist Jack Bender (KILLING MR. GRIFFIN, "The David Cassidy Story", etc.) in which unhappy history has a tragic bearing on the present (in this case 1967, at a time when America had become embroiled in a war no less dangerous than the one in which Danner and Mantegna suffered their worst indignities). Danner takes center stage as the strong mother laid low by an appalling twist of fate, while teenage son David Lascher (TV's "Sabrina the Teenage Witch") represents the viewpoint of a generation untouched by their parents' experiences in occupied Europe. Mantegna is dignified in a crucial supporting role, and there's an early appearance by Kevin Zegers (TRANSAMERICA) as the younger sibling slowly waking to the full horror of Nazi war crimes.

Kudos to Blythe Danner and the rest of the strong cast for making a touching, believable story of holocaust survivors. 60 members of my family were slaughtered in the holocaust and I generally don't enjoy watching movies about it. However, this story dealt not with the tragedy and horror of that actual experience, but the legacy of survivors. Set in 1960's suburbia, the Tobias' story focuses on their relationship with their two sons. This is no Shine, however. The Tobias' are as loving and highly functional as two human beings could be after what they have been through. Yet their resilience is not overplayed-- their love for their children is sometimes crushing, their fear smothering. And the central conflict of the movie revolves around their difficulties letting go with the past and behaviors that allowed them to survive in the camps, but cut them off from living fully in a peaceful situation. Overall, the story reminded me of Maus meets Ordinary People, somehow escaping the minor key of each. Those looking for a gritty holocaust tale, or high melodrama should look elsewhere. Although the fine acting, sturdy script, and poignancy of the story kept me in a steady flow of tears, this is primarily a life-afirming story. I highly reccomend it!

In 1967, Paula (Blythe Danner) and David Tobias (Joe Mantegna) are Jews survivals from the Holocaust. They lost their husband, wife and sons (two, each of them) in the war, murdered by the Nazis. They met each other after the war, and got married, not for love, but for supporting each other. In USA, they have two sons: the rebel and selfish Jake (David Lascher) and the sweet Ben (Kevin Zegers). Their income source is a small toy store, where Paula and David works, eventually supported by theirs sons. Jake wants to move to another place and live with his girlfriend Amy, and Jake wants to play baseball, but their very-protective parents do not allow them. Jake wants to join the Army and fight in Vietnam just to upset his mother. One day, Paula receives a phone call from an international non-governmental agency informing that one of her sons is alive. Paula gets excited, sends the necessary money for travel expenses of his son and goes to New York with a friend of her to meet him. There she realizes that the agency committed a mistake, and this event is a trigger that releases many traumas buried in her soul. In the end, the family somehow overcomes these problems and life goes on. Although being a very slow movie, it is also sensitive and hooks the attention of the viewer. The character of Jake is so selfish that has irritated me. This screenplay seems to be based on the true story since it is very believable, having a dedication in the end of the movie. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): `Uma Chamada do Passado' (`A Call from the Past')

This is a truthful, careful, real film. Deeply satisfying; wonderful to watch. Danner is the best - simply the best. The story, unique though it is, is the universal story about the depth of grief. The director is very careful, very attentive to the detail of the times and of the characters. A 10 for sure.

A deeply moving movie that touches even the most callous person.

It delves into the world of two overly protective Jewish parents as they raise their sons under the shadow of past horrors dealt to them during the Holocaust. This film is a must see.