Synopsis
The story of young Amos Oz, growing up in Jerusalem in the years before Israeli statehood with his parents; his academic father, Arieh, and his dreamy, imaginative mother, Fania.
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Cast
- Natalie PortmanFania Oz
- Makram J. KhouryHalawani
- Shira HaasKira
- Neta RiskinHaya
- Gilad KahanaArieh
- Yonaton ShirayTeenage Amos
- Moni MoshonovOld Amos (voice)
- Ohad KnollerIsrael Zarchi
- Makram J. KhouryAl Hilwani
- Rotem KeinanTsvi
Recommendations
- 60
The Guardian
Portman has made a film with something serious and interesting to say about Israel, a nuanced portrait of the place that demonstrates a commitment to, and connection with, her home country. This is an assured, heartfelt debut. - 60
The Hollywood Reporter
Writer and director Portman's film seems conflicted over whether it is about young Amos or his mother, whom she portrays as a beautiful, cultured woman with a head full of romantic fantasies. - 60
The Telegraph
The film feels like a personal project for Portman, but thankfully never a vanity one. It’s a fine piece of work – and you sense there’s better to come. - 60
CineVue
There are undoubtedly kinks to iron out - the film has a particular problem with pacing during a section that requires careful handling - but this is a handsome and assured feature and certainly suggests a bright future behind the camera for Portman, who also stars. - 50
IndieWire
Portman's screenplay shortchanges the dramatic potential of the material in favor of a by-the-numbers period piece. - 50
Screen Daily
An overly self-conscious somberness infuses the film, keeping this heartrending tale from being as poignant as it could be. - 50
Variety
[Portman's] drearily empathetic film lacks whatever universality has made “Tale” such an international phenomenon. - 50
The A.V. Club
Portman’s emotional connection to the material couldn’t be more obvious, yet the film itself is still largely inert.
