One of its great strengths lies in its surprising universality.
75
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
Masterly coming-of-age drama.
70
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
The story's resolution isn't very satisfying, but I considered most of this movie time well spent.
70
Variety
Variety
Offers an occasionally fascinating look at the complex social, religious and political dynamics that help define the sacred city of Jerusalem.
70
Dallas ObserverBill Gallo
Dallas ObserverBill Gallo
A former yeshiva student himself, Gorlin turns this tale of political intrigue and the search for divinity into an act of liberation -- if not outright defiance.
70
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
This broadly acted first feature is exceedingly direct, appropriately sordid, and at times, almost delicate.
70
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
The film, like the beleaguered country it depicts, has a raw, neurotic, brawling yet tender vitality.
A barbed reflection on the great divide between secular and ultra-Orthodox Judaism in Israeli culture. But its digressive screenplay lacks focus and momentum and is too oblique to connect many of the dots between its characters and their behavior.