Ushpizin

We saw Ushpizin last night.

Things of note:

1. This movie is, as U. puts it, the "anti-Kadosh". Partly because it actually looks like it might not be totally miserable to be Jewish, and partly because they very deliberately show an actual husband and wife with a real relationship and say such things as "the most important thing is to make your wife happy." A little over-the-top perhaps. And not being "controversial" and "groundbreaking" (eg. downright offensive at times) it is not likely to get a standing ovation or an award. That suits me just fine. (I can tell you why I hate Kadosh another time. It's not always the same reasons other people hate it.)

2. Religious Jews, rather than complain about how they are depicted in movies, took the time to actually create a good movie the way they wanted it to be.

3. It was a very joyful film invoking much more thought and emotion for me than, by contrast, Munich which we saw last week, which should have been a Jewish movie and was not, and which should have evoked emotion about a real event, but didn't. (Extremely disappointing and gruesome experience.)

4. I am really curious to hear what other people thought about the concept of submitting to Hashem's tests in life versus allowing oneself to be walked upon by others. I think the movie did a decent job of struggling with it rather than stating a clear answer.

5. The depiction of non-Jews seemed less realistic than that of the Jews.
(Note, I meant to say "non-religious Jews", not "non-Jews...1/23/06. Sorry.)

6. It was a very nice movie. I was annoyed at a recent Shabbos dinner to hear someone say dramatically, "It will change your life." It won't. (And sometimes movies can.) But it has reminded me to at least think a little more about emunah (faith).

7. I was touched by seeing a Baal Teshuvah depicted in the way that he was.

8. I found the humor appropriate, the grief compelling and the miracles fun and joyous.

In short, not bad.