Magic Men

Very pleasant, occasionally unconventional visuals introduce us to the movie, and we're carried along by touches of humor and enjoyable music. It's a friendly movie despite the back story of persecution and Holocaust. The only big problem is that the plot seems to end before the movie does, with additional incidents tacked on until the length is achieved and a final twist shows us that a bit of the unexpected (but alas, only a bit) has been held off for last. There are holes in the plot, but a viewer could do worse than sit back and watch the photography, watch the acting, and enjoy the occasional gag. For reasons of political correctness, the portrayal of a Jewish man by an Arab actor in the lead role could never be greeted with anything but praise from the critics, but I'd agree that probably the part could not have been played better than Mr. Khoury played it... unless someone had written it better. It's your standard crotchety geezer who's scrappy on the outside, secretly sentimental and wounded on the inside, and admirable for his eccentric determination. No King Lear, but a lot easier on the nerves.

After 60 Years Avraham returns to Greece and Salonika searching for the Greek who saved him. He has a Hate-Love relationship with His Son. On the Background of Salonica and Narrow Mountain Roads of Mainland Greece. Maria does the part of well known Bar Whore that is very Greek. Greeks eat Out and Drink Out. They invite Men for a Drink and then offer Sex Services at the Bars. With Special Greek Music and Songs. A bit like Zorba the Greek. I had to see this as My father Survived in the Mountains of Greece and fled Salonica. He returned after Germans left. Also I am a Makram Khoury Fan. I would give a 10 but some of the criticism of the Movie is true. But Very Enjoyable Story.

I saw this film at the Jewish Film Festival in San Francisco. Enjoyed it more than I expected. It was promoted as a father-son story, with what seemed to be a focus on the father's disapproval of the son's religiosity. That's part of the story, yes, but really the main plot is about the father's search for the man who saved his life from the Nazis. I had no idea that the Nazis invaded Greece and sent the Jews there to concentration camps. I'd never heard of Jews in Greece but apparently they were part of the Holocaust too. Fascinating story.

Anyway, I was intrigued by the father's journey from Israel to Greece and his search for the man who had rescued him so many years ago. That search leads him and his son into various strange encounters that are both amusing and sad, and some quite surprising. If you have any interest in Jewish and/or Greek history and culture, and can appreciate diversity in Jewish and Greek characters, you will probably enjoy this film. The cinematography highlighted the beauty of Greece and made me want to visit someday...