Metallic Blues

Shmuel Goldberg, an Israeli car dealer, 2nd-generation of holocaust victims, and Siso, his partner, visit Germany on a trip combining business and pleasure.

They try to sell a potentially expensive car, cataloged at 50,000 Euro. This movie describes their journey, which both explores Israeli vs. European/German culture and 2nd-hand experience of the holocaust from a number of angles.

An average plus movie, a bit boring, not enough drama, not enough wit. There is a message that passes through quite well and in a not too forced way, but though the basic idea of the movie is excellent, the outcome is a bit too anticipated.

Most people think that the Jewish holocaust that occurred in Europe half a century ago ended with the war. Others understand that hideous events like the holocaust was, stays with the person for the rest of his life, hurting him, his abilities to have a normal love life, a normal family, a normal everything. But only a few, outside of Israel or Jewish houses around the world, can realize the effect it has on the generation that came right after it. Metallic Blues is a film about that generation.

As you could have probably guessed by now I liked the movie very much. It is very well done including a great performance by Moshe Ivgy and Avi Kushnir, a wonderful script, photography, and also a tasteful choice of music for the soundtrack. I recommend it very much for Israeli's, but especially for those of you that aren't Israeli. The movie reveals the terrible trauma world war two left with the Jewish people, making the viewer understand how much time it will take before it will go away, if ever. It also maybe gives some sort of explanation for the madness that has been going on for decades in Israel. Like a child with a bad childhood. A sad movie.

It's a 2004 film & i only get to see it tonight ( 10th September 2009) in conjunction with Israel- Film-Festival in Singapore. It is a film with poignant human emotions. Most of us know about how the Jews of Israel suffer under the Nazi-Germans during the Holocaust. If you and your ancestors have traumatic memories of the Holocaust, would you choose to go there to make a fortune or even migrate to Germany with your family for a better life? How would you think about the younger Germans there will interact with you? You may be surprised if you answer the questions with pre-conceived notions. It's not as straight-forward as a story about forgiveness, mercy & redemption. Do go for it with an open-mind if you happen to bump into its screening just as i do. I'm moved to tears as it make me realise that life's setbacks and unpredictable circumstances can point towards our shared humanity.

Perhaps I could blame the playbill at the Philadelphia International Film Fest, but I was hoping for slightly more comedic angle to Dan Verete's film. Whereas the drama that is unveiled on certain events within is strong, and the characters of Sisso and Shmuel well written, the story became both predictable and bulky. Many of the comparisons between Israel and Germany had so much subtle humor that it is unfortunate that style of humor was ignored as their plot to unload the Lincoln limo rambled on without so much as a road map. Key parts of the story would have had such a richer element of drama to it if more humor was added - and at times such humor was almost begging to be entered. With METALLIC BLUES, Verete writes a different kind of road movie and even a different kind of a buddy movie. The film definitely captures that European feel to it - right down to the ending as a matter of fact. The film even nicely portrays the everyday lives of two Israeli men in the 21st Century without burdening this Gentile with insider Jewish "tsuris." Regrettably, the film suffers displaying the mediocrity of the situation when so many alternate cinematic paths could have resulted in a stronger story.

I saw this as part of the Seattle International Film Festival and I go without much expectations because I don't even like to read the descriptions of the movies before I see them. I did hear after a few disgruntled complaints of how this wasn't a comedy overall. Well it really is not a comedy. This is a typical Israeli film with a theme, a purpose, a lesson. And typically Israeli, it's laced with humor all over it. The topics get heavy as heavy things happened in Germany not too long ago. The lessons are so brilliantly laid out, that this movie could be a bible story. The acting is top notch. Everything about this movie is tops. Yallah, go see it!