|
| . |
|
Late Marriage 2001 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Dover Kosashvili
NR, 102 min. (language, some graphic sexuality, nudity) |
 |
Starring: Lior Loui Ashkenazi, Ronit Elkabetz, Moni Moshonov, Lili Kosashvili, Aya Steinovits
Producers: Marek Rozenbaum, Edgard Tenembaum
Screenplay: Dover Kosashvili
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Released: 5/17/02 (Limited) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
Late Marriage is about a 31-year old man who hasn't married and produced offspring yet, which is considered disgraceful
in his family's culture. It turns into a battle of wills between this man and his vigilent parents, who have tried everything
to make him fulfill his obligations. Director Dover Kosashvili has found a touchy subject to make the subject of his
film - that of arranged marriages. Although still commonplace in many parts of the world today, it's inconceivable to
the Western culture. And yet, many arranged marriages turn out much better than our supposedly superior matchmaking
skills in the West (in which we choose for ourselves). Kosashvili doesn't necessarily takes sides in this argument, but he
does present the story with heartbreaking authenticity.
The film takes place in Israel, where Zaza (Lior Loui Ashkenazi) neglects his Jewish communities responsibilities, which
requires him to produce offspring for his parents (Moni Moshonov and Lili Kosashvili). They've introduced him to countless
prospects over the years, and the latest one, Ilana (Aya Steinovits Laor) seems a decent match. Nevermind that she's
17 and he's 31, she's an aspiring artist and he's devoted to another. The other is Judith (Ronit Elkabetz), a single mother
who is four years older than Zaza. They share a passionate relationship that threatens Zaza's increasingly-impatient
parents - this is simply unacceptable in their society. What results is a showdown between Zaza and his parents, which
becomes a foregone conclusion because Zaza has never learned to stand up for himself.
Late Marriage is part comedy and part drama, but it never fails to connect with the viewer. There is a hilarious sequence
where Zaza's parents stakeout Ilana's house where he is staying. They force their way into the house, confront them,
chastise Judith and scold their son. The mother is enraged but at the same time understanding of the predicament that
Judith faces - life without a husband. Then there's a riveting scene between Zaza and his father where he challenges
his son's manhood or lack thereof. You can actually feel the tension and embarassment in these particular scenes.
This is a deeply insightful film. During the film's most honest moment, a realistic sex scene between Zaza and Judith
that represents two people who know each other completely, we realize that this picture touches a mostly unexplored
trait in the movies - the glossy, overacted art of lovemaking. Then, of course, there's the issue of freedom of choice
before obligation and the price of obstinance in the face of tradition. Zaza is determined but not courageous enough,
sacrificing his own desires for the standards of conformity.
The film ends on a bittersweet note, but it is in accordance with its own rules, and therefore satisfying. That Zaza
is finally married but unsure about his final choice hints at the film's own questioning nature. Late Marriage supplies
the audience with the players and sides, and then lets them form its own opinion. This is inventive, creative
filmmaking that draws power from its controversial material.
© 2002 Jonathan Cornwell
|
|
 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
© 2000 - present ReelCriticReviews
All movie pictures are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of their respective holders
Their use on this site is for informational purposes only and does not imply ownership
|
