Culture
Drowning in the Dead Sea
By Benjamin Kerstein
Published: 17.03.05, 18:18
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23 Talkbacks for this article
1. loved your review!
Dorit ,   Irvine, CA, USA   (03.17.05)
i could just hear you reciting this review as i read over the words! loved it! and i was rather iffy on going to see it, but now i will definitely not even bother wasting the money on it. thanks, doll!
2. Go Girl!!!
Gal Uchovsky   (03.18.05)
What a pompous man, so full of himself. Who are you Benjamin from Beer Sheva? Some frustrated academic? You sound like a first year student of Philosophy who can not get laid. No wonder nobody legit inside Israel publishes your reviews. What you wrote is a very shallow, very right wing, old fashioned reading of the movie (although disguised as intellectual bullshit). And you even have a fan in Irvine, CA. Go girl!!!
3. Thank you, Benjamin Kerstein
Ben Yehuda ,   Haifa, Israel   (03.19.05)
for your excellent writing and insight.. Do not mind the gross attack by Mr. Uchovsky. This gentleman has two well known virtues - he is homosexual and leftist.
4. Good review; worthless movie.
Avi Shoichet ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (03.22.05)
Excellent review Mr. Kerstein. The movie is another addition to the long series of incredibly shallow, unoriginal, nihilistic, Hollywood-aping Israeli movies.
5. Simplistic Review, Decent Film
Robert Pierce ,   Boston, USA   (03.22.05)
The review bubbles everything down into binary: Arab/Jew, German/Jew, Homo/Hetero. The trouble, for him, is that it's not binary...There are more Germans and Heteros in the film, Pia, for one. She actually holds the moral center of the film, and she's a hetero. The German Homo lead commits a ghastly crime, so I fail to see his "moral purity." Rather than looking through a glass of his own prejudices, Kerstein should review only what is there...a simple, yet fulfilling film.
6. Review of "Walk on Water"
Herschel ,   Atlantic beach, NY   (03.22.05)
A group of us just saw WALK on Water. Aside from my wife (an Israeli) the rest of us (8) are not fluent but speak Hebrew..each of us have visited Israel 6-10 times. We are literate, NY theatre goers, readers of serious literature, sophisticated. We loved the film. All of it's nuances, and it's superb cast. We are reccommending it to all of our friends. Sorry about that Herschel
7. Lighten Up!
Judy ,   Vancouver, Canada   (06.18.05)
Although I am a fan of foreign films, I have never been interested in seeing Israeli films even though I am fluent in Hebrew. However, I must say that this film has changed my unmerited view of Israeli films and I have seen a few really great Israeli movies since. I have actually gone to see Walk on Water twice in the theatres and have recommended it to my non-Jewish friends. They too felt that this movie was extremely well done and raised a variety of interesting issues. So, after reading your "review" and the so called intellectual critisism you feel so compelled to share with us, I agree with Gal Ushovsky, you really do need to get laid.
8. To Walk on Water review
Tom Trueman ,   Vancouver, Canada   (07.06.05)
What a shame to have such an excellent Israeli film being savaged by a "reviewer" with such an obvious chip on his shoulder. And anyone who would read such a diatribe and decide to save their money is just pathetic. Make up your own mind already! That's what a democracy is all about. (And Lior Ashkenazi was perfectly cast!)
9. Walk on Water--Gotta See it to Believe it
Yehudit ,   Washington DC   (07.19.05)
I'm glad I didn't read this review before I saw the film. I would have missed another gem! I don't think this movie is for everyone. But it is beautifully shot, well cast (Ashkenazi shows his versatility!) and deeply moving, with extremely funny scenes. Bottom line--see it and make up your own mind.
10. Walk on Water
Tevor Collins ,   London, UK   (07.28.05)
Fabulous film woefully mii-reviewed! Superb acting , involving and relevant plot. Brilliant! Can`t wait for the dvd!
11. Timely film
H Smith ,   UK   (08.29.05)
It has taken nearly 40 years to see this brave film happen. A good portrayal of Israelis from seniors to juniors. And yes, there are sensitive German individuals with a moral conscious. The gay scenes took courage to reflect the changing times happening now in Israel and for its existence to be acknowledged. A very good film indeed. Not too sure about the kibbutz scenes...we hear so little of it nowdays. Are there lot less of them about? What a shame.
12. LOVED this movie!
Alex Borodin ,   Canada   (10.04.05)
Ok - obviously we were not at the same movie. Lior Ashkenazi is not only very nice to look at, but plays convincingly. There was a very "natural" way about this movie. I hope your article won't discourage people from seeing it! Here's something to think about: my Punjabi friend always says "opinions are never wrong"... but now I am not so sure...
13. Movie Walk on Water Reivew
Paul ,   USA   (10.10.05)
Almost comical, this review seems to “have it in” for this film from the beginning. Granted, Walk on Water, like all films, has some flaws but this review is boringly pedantic to say the film is dull and contrived. Personally, I did not experience the high brow ‘moral infantilism’ this film is accused of, nor do I believe the Director and production team had the intention to “hover above it all in the divine manner”. The work of every individual is just that, individual and to compare with another’s work shows a lack of originality. The dichotomies of the film, Jew and German, Jew and Arab, heterosexual and homosexual do not seem to show the inferior of the later but each learn about the other and the perceived inferiority is shown to be quite the opposite where every position is given their due, whether it is a positive turn out or not. Art imitates life and anger and fear of the past reside in all humans, handed down. This film exposes the ‘other side’ that things are not always what they seem. I understood the title of the film “Walk on Water” to be an example for all peoples, not just Jews or Christians that we can all grow, learn and do amazing things. It is my opinion that the harsh criticism of lead actor Lior Ashkenazi as being “woefully miscased” is misleading to the potential viewer. I strongly disagree and found Mr. Ashkenazi to be quite capable and believable, as the rest of the ensemble. Art is people, and imperfection goes with the territory. I say bravo to those who try to make a film and get it up and out while saying something and teaching something. Perhaps a less angry and unrealistic criticism would carry more weight. Perhaps when the reviewer makes a perfect movie, that pleases everyone, their credibility will improve. I am certainly glad I made my own choice to see this move and not be deceived by high brow comments masquerading as credibility.
14. Walk on Water
G Dunbar ,   Savannah, Georgia   (11.04.05)
Kerstein puts his finger on some superficial aspects of the film; but I am not sure his reading of the total effect is quite correct. It stirred in this Gentile Christian (at least) admiration and sympathy for the costly heroism of the Israeli protagonist played (and I thought, well) by Lior Ashkenazi. And on the other side, the German homosexual, who in Israel offered the usual trite anti-Israeli excuses for Palestinian terror, in Berlin -- after he and his transvestite friends are rescued from a skinhead attack by the Israeli character's efficient counterattack -- expresses a desire to see evil-doers killed, and in fact himself does so, when he discovers his Nazi grandfather is alive. At that point the film seemed to be suggesting the possibility of a meeting of minds -- the Israeli gets respite from the task of killing, because the German takes responsiblity for doing what Germans should be looking after themselves. However, this reconciliation is lost in the ending, with the Israeli character retired from active service, married once more and a father, and living on the kibbutz. In this ending, husbands and fathers can only kiss babies and pick melons, they do not also do the hard and costly work of defending their families, if need be by killing the enemies of their country's peace.
15. Fine, worthwhile and engaging movie
David Moore ,   United States   (11.29.05)
I'm sure, in the months between this note and the reviewer's original essay, that he has moved on to trash plenty of other worthwhile movies. (I would be fascinated to see what other films are on his "hit" list(s) -- in every sense of the term.) Good thing, too. I just saw "Walk on Water" on DVD in the U.S., and could not disagree more with the review I just read. Is this the "perfect" movie? Of course not -- what movie is? Instead, "Walk on Water" is a well-made, touching and thought-provoking movie with, yes, a flaw here and there. And since flaws are in the eyes of the beholder, I won't bother to list the few problems I had with the movie -- they're nothing compared to the quality of the overall piece. An aside: One clue to the inaccuracy of his review is Mr. Kerstein's description of the lead actor as "miscast." Wrong -- he was perfectly cast and completely convincing in his role, as were all of the actors. Rent it because it's a good, solid film. Rent it one more time just to spite the reviewer.
16. Moving movie
Jaie ,   Santiago de Chile   (01.04.06)
I saw the film today and was struck by it's subtlety... great casting, from the disturbed hero to the palestinian waiter... every scene has something wonderful and important to the development of the plot. I highly recomend it. I agree it's a movie about opositions, but what appeals to me is not that tension, but the power of that tension as a bond that excludes others. For ex, the israeli-arab issue, was theirs only, and germans had nothing mingling with it... just as the arab didn't have anything to do with the jewish-german issue. The liberal, peace-cor, gay german was in the end quite intolerant when in berlin... and proved his confidence in being right in his views when did something irreversible... When in the other hand the arab-hater israeli hesitated to take justice in his hands one last time... It's not a perfect movie, not everyone will understand it's views, but those are real perspectives and worthy of portrayal. See the film!!
17. great review
saba ,   san francisco, calif   (06.15.06)
great review! this movie was shown at my school by an Israel-bashing (Jewish) professor who also sponsors speakers who want to destroy Israel - argues that Israel does not have the right to exist. this professor has been called an anti-semite and a self-hating Jew. He showed this movie to defend himself. Ha! another Israel-bashing movie.
18. Walk On Water
Barbara Ellman ,   Saratoga, California   (05.19.07)
I feel that your critique on "Walk On Water" is based on a rather pseudo intellelectual criteria. Your definition of the characters' appears to be resentful rather then objective. The movie could have been more detailed, in character study, but the acting by the lead actors was beautifully portrayed.
19. Drowning in the Dead Sea
Thomas Sherman ,   Miami, Florida   (09.03.07)
I found Benjamin Kerstein's review to be pompous and blithe. Instead of seeing the obvious moral superiority and depth of the main character who is both non-religious and Jewish, he seems blinded by the sexual orientation issues within the film and offended that homosexuals, Germans or Arabs might have anything to teach the Israeli character on his own path to becoming.
20. However, Kerstein makes some good points
Joanne ,   New York, USA   (01.30.08)
I liked the movie, and I thought all the actors were well cast, especially Ashkenazi. I didn't think the movie was at all subtle, nor was the plot terribly believable, and some of the dialogue was leaden, but I liked it all the same. I've noticed that Kerstein sometimes has a pompous tone to his writing and speaking, and a little of that came through in his review. However, he did make some valid points that shouldn't be ridiculed. First of all, now that he mentions about the dichotomies, it strikes me that he was right. The film cannot be reduced to them alone, but those dichotomies are definitely there, and form most of the structure of the film. Secondly, the film does pound on the same moralistic theme throughout, and I did find it a bit obvious and tiresome. It didn't escape me that the German man had the high moral ground and that the Israeli was shown mainly through his faults and limitations, and that bothered me. Of course, his sister was a more likable character precisely because she was a good person but not so childishly angelic. And the German man was saved from being a totally two-dimensional character when he showed himself intolerant in Berlin. But that was too little too late. As for his killing his grandfather, that only made him angelic again. He was willing to kill that old Nazi, who, by the way, was near death anyway. Come to think of it, there is an anti-Israeli undertow, not very strong, but it's there. Even little touches, like the bar scene in Berlin with the bartender not liking Israelis, with the behavior of the Israeli towards the Arab merchant and the brief lecture afterward from the young Arab man. This definitely left a bad taste. I brushed it aside, but I did have the impression that this Israeli was on the low moral ground, and that this low moral ground was to some extent a contrivance of the movie. One of the commenters above said that all the characters had to learn or were learning from each other. That's not quite true. What did the Arab guy or the Germans have to learn from anyone? It was clear that only the Israeli had be instructed. Even the end had a bad taste. There is nothing wrong with intermarriage, and the German woman, in any case, was committed to living in Israel. So it's not like the ending of the film Munich, where the hero decides to quit Israel. But it was as if to say that the answer to the faults in one's own national identity is to dilute it a bit. I know that sounds awful, and in some ways it was a sweet ending, but I cannot totally dismiss that impression. And I cannot help but think of it as a downer, not as an affirmation of universalism. I loved the film, and I saw it twice, but, though Kerstein might have overstated the case, his points should not be dismissed out of hand. Come to think of it, I wouldn't have seen the movie twice if Ashkenazi weren't so hot. :-)
21. A reconsideration
Joanne ,   New York, USA   (02.11.08)
Actually, I just saw the movie again, shortly after I entered my first comment. This time I saw it with a friend who had never seen the film before. My friend is very pro-Israel, though of the left, and he loved the film, found it very humanistic, and thought that the depiction of the main character played by Ashkenazi was sympathetically and richly drawn. Maybe I'm too easily influenced, but I now think my friend may be right. When I read Kerstein's review, it had been awhile since I'd seen the film. Though the dualities Kerstein describes are there, I had forgotten that they are not so starkly present in the film. In any case, the characters and plot were richer in detail and feeling than I had remembered it, so the dualities don't stand out all that much. My friend also pointed out how much the Israeli character evolved. And, though the Israeli's character had behaved atrociously with the Arab merchant, he says that showing the Israeli watching or hearing frequent news reports of suicide bombings goes a long way towards explaining his reactions. I'm not totally sure about that, but my friend may have a point. As for the ending, I didn't see it this time as a dilution of Israeli identity. It was life affirming, really, but I still found it saccharine sweet and pat. One interesting point my friend made: He says that the Arab fellow was rather comfortable and open in his homosexuality, even with his uncle (that I didn't see). He said that this was not an accurate picture of the place of homosexuals in Arab culture.
22. Touching Parable
Marianne ,   Berlin   (04.11.08)
Saw the film on TV that night. Yes it is a little stereotype, the German is too quixotic. But the movie as a whole was very touching for me. For ex. when the German has killed his grandfather for the Israeli and the two hug each other. This was really redemptive but I don't think that this will ever happen in reality. The film made me feel for a moment that there could be a way out of the whole desaster and this constant feeling of unease and pain. Therefore I loved the movie.
23. Walk on Water
Susan ,   Montreal,Canada   (08.08.08)
I loved the movie but the ending is a bit contrived. I cannot see Eyal changing so dramatically that he cannot complete his mission as it were. In any case.. the film is still enjoyable and Lior Ashkenazi is gorgeous to look at.
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