Casamento Arranjado

This film opened last night in Los Angeles, and seemed to draw a pretty good crowd -- I assume they'd all heard the same positive buzz I'd heard...

Interesting look at a very old fashioned culture (Georgians who emigrated to Israel), and the demands they make on a grown son. From an American perspective, the parents' objections to the son's choice in girlfriend (or potential wife) seem trivial: she's slightly older, and divorced.

But here are my issues with the film: The character Zaza is a very weak-willed man who bends too easily to his parents' demands. Now, it's interesting to see someone who's not a traditional Hollywood "strong" hero -- but it was hard to be sympathetic with this guy, since he didn't really seem to disagree with his parents. There's a pretty long sex scene(which has been justifiably lauded as much more realistic than anything you'll see in a Hollywood film), but later in the film, he treats his girlfriend pretty badly. There's a pivotal scene in which he sides with his parents vs. the girlfriend, and I just lost all respect for the character at that point.

Also, the movie drags on a bit...Could have benefited from quite a bit of editing. Couple other criticisms: Characters are introduced, but it's not clear who they are, or how they are related (maybe it loses something in the subtitles). More importantly, I read a review in a newspaper here that said a key plot point was the different ethnic backgrounds of Zaza and his girlfriend: But that did not come across at all! Maybe in Israel that is a big deal, and if so, that should have been made clear to American audiences, as well. Again, I suspect something got left out in the subtitle translations...

Still, it's interesting to see an Israeli film, and maybe this director will have something better up his sleeve next time...

Absolutely superb film, concise and to the point.

One of the things that I liked the most is how the writer/director, takes an obviously ethnic film and presents it in a way where people around the world can empathize even if they know nothing about the jewish culture or customs.

The emotional themes presented in this film are mostly universal, when it comes to marriage, in my opinion a lot of factors come into play no matter what culture you come from, and this film portrays in some ways how silly it all is.

If you don't mind the subtitles, is a great film, has great characters and a very interesting story line, although is very graphic at times (Steamy love scenes) be forewarned if you don't like to see nudity, is not your conventional hollywood soft porn b movie.

Enjoy the film with friends, it's one of those that makes you ask all the right questions.

I saw Ronit Elkabetz in The Band's Visit and wanted more. I certainly got more in this movie - much more.

Zaza's (Lior Ashkenazi) parents are trying to get him married and he makes the rounds visiting all the eligible females. However, Zaza only wants Judith (Elkabetz), a divorcée with a child. Why wouldn't he? Even his father admits she is hot - and she truly is! The whole family arrives at her apartment and act like complete jackasses in their effort to split them up. They accomplish their mission in an unexpected manner, and Zaza is forced to marry a woman he does not love to make his parents happy.

That's what happens when you are castrated. How is he going to make grandchildren? Elkabetz was magnificent. I want more!

I thought this was an interesting film, though it didn't cover as much of the relationship between the guy and his family. As an ethnic Korean male, I can understand family pressure on marriage and to marry someone who will fit in. The good thing about the film was the end, as unlike most Hollywood fare, the ending was very realistic in that it didn't fall into cliche and the like. It presented the probable ending as opposed to the sentimental ending.

Three stars.

This is a charming little film that depicts very well the sectarian differences within the Israeli community. Although the contrary of a feel good movie, the script of Hatuna Meuheret is very light and the film contains even some hilarious moments camouflaging the underlying sadness and bigotry. Wonderful acting especially by the actors who play the parents of the groom to be. Moshonov, who plays the father of the groom, had actually learned Georgian for the part and speaks nothing else the entire film. Pretty amazing!