Transformative Illumination
EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED
by Shawn Snead / October 20th, 2005
"Everything Is Illuminated" is a slightly altered, and simplified film adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's novel. Liev Schreiber, a marvelous actor, decides to stay behind the camera as he adapts and directs the story of Jonathan Safran Foer (Elijah Wood), a young Jewish American man who endeavors to find the woman who saved his grandfather during World War II in a Ukrainian village, that was ultimately razed by the Nazis.
On his journey, he is accompanied by Alex (Eugene Hutz, in a fantastic debut), a local Ali G with amusing broken English, and Alex's grandfather (Boris Leskin). Oh, and of course Sammy Davis, Jr. Jr., Alex's grandfather's afflicted "seeing eye bitch."
Schreiber's filmmaking eye is right on spot for most of the film, a true accomplishment. The first half of the film is offbeat comedy at it's best, as we are introduced to Alex and his family, and as Jonathan is introduced to them.
The second half of the film is an effective human drama, an adventure leading all of them to what Jonathan is searching for, and thereby changing their lives forever. It, at times, gets a bit too sentimental for my tastes, and the ending isn't nearly as effective as the story leading up to it. However, Schreiber does do a marvelous job reaching out to the viewer, the film's irresistibly touching.
"Everything Is Illuminated" resonates because it's a poignant human story. It's a well-crafted film full of incredible care and touch.
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Warner Independent Pictures
Running Time: 1 Hour, 46 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for disturbing images/violence, sexual content and language.
Release Date: Friday, September 16th, 2005 (limited)
Viewed: Wednesday, October 19th, 2005
Starring Elijah Wood (Jonathan Safran Foer), Eugene Hutz (Alex), Boris Leskin (Grandfather), Laryssa Lauret (Lista), Stephen Samudovsky (Jonathan's Grandfather Safran)
Produced By Peter Saraf, Marc Turtletaub
Written By Liev Schreiber (Based on the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer)
Directed By Liev Schreiber
posted by Shawn Snead @ 10/20/2005 02:11:00 AM
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