dtlongo

I accept that I am not among the sophisticati who live and breathe movies and contribute frequently to IMDB. But as a U.S. diplomat I served at the U.S. Embassy in communist Budapest Hungary in the Cold War 1970's. Much that was depicted in this movie ran true back then -- dilapitated decaying wall-peeling apartnents and buildings versus relatively elegant government buildings, bugging of even private apartments, etc. etc. Much was the same in Moscow too. I write rarely on IMDB and only when some movie especially intrigues me. This one did. No grotesque slasher torture-, gun- or hyper-violence here, no f-words. Rather, intelligent dialogues, gorgeous repeat gorgeous cinenatography, delicate music and I venture director's and financial backers' love for this movie's concept make this movie a true work of ART. I am glad it came to be nade.

I rather liked it as a spoof on teen/slasher flicks. Less serious than the rape-vegeance classic ISOYG, it still had fairly decent production values, photography and acting. The character of Ella's over-accommodating mother was rather puzzling but became clearer by the twist at the end. Mom was quite a gal.

I approached this movie "cold" not knowing anything at all about it but just browsing one evening on Netflix. Previous reviewers have skewered it. What troubled me and unmentioned by others is that it came across as anti Israel or at least patronizing toward Israel. As a non-deist (athiest) I have my own reservations about deist states be they Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran or would-be Christian fundamentalist USA. But whether or not you like it, Israel exists and is there to stay. The scenes of Israel/ Jerusalem being rocketed, bombed and shot up by some coalition of a New World Order were too much for my taste. I sensed that those scenes would appeal egoistically to Israel-haters. On the plus side the lady protagonist was nice eye candy from the side and rear. And some of the Israel-cinematography was appealing and interesting.