SheWillRememberYourHeart Reviews

Bureau 06 (2013)

The impossibility and vitality of Eichmann's trial

[8 July 2013]

I'm coming back from the movie's premiere at a film festival and still can't quite explain the experience in its entirety.

I can tell you, however, that I would strongly recommend watching this movie if you're interested in either the bigger question of how we try and understand something like the Holocaust or just interested in the personal stories of the people who were in charge of interrogating Eichmann in 1960, presenting the Israeli public (and the world) with his crimes. It'll be a fascinating watch whichever angle you approach this 59-minute documentary from.

If I had to boil it down to just one point - this movie is about how impossible it is to put the Holocaust on trial (symbolically, historically, physically) and how vital it is that we do.

Representative of this and most intriguing for me was the character of Miki (Goldman) Gilad, a boy who survived the camps only to lose his family in the Holocaust. He went on to becoming one of the police officers in charge of the investigation and he perfectly embodies the ambivalence and impossibility of this encounter. He's an impressive figure who managed to maintain his professionalism throughout, yet (slight hint of a spoiler here) he did take a small, symbolic revenge on his prisoner, then he himself disputes his own narration of this story - this was a revenge? Was hanging Eichmann a revenge? Can there even be one?

Longhorns (2011)

Nice little gem

[9/10 · 17 February 2012]

I was honestly not expecting too much. This was obviously a low-budget, indie production, so I readied myself for all the inevitable flaws that this usually entails.

I was pleasantly surprised: the production values weren't incredible, but they were definitely better than one might expect, the script was smart, touching and funny, and the acting was much better than I anticipated, especially the two leads. I think what particularly worked for me was the humor, it added a nice, knowing wink to the loveliness of this little gem.

This is the story of a Texan "all-American" boy at college who seemingly conforms to the stereotype in every way back in the early 80's. When he meets an openly gay student, he has to confront himself for the first time in his life. Or does he?

Handsome Harry (2009)

Excellent movie about the crime and its possible forgiveness

[10/10 · 23 January 2011]

I just saw this movie and not knowing much about it, I didn't know what to expect. Whatever my expectations, the movie had surpassed them. The cast is brilliant, the dialog tight, the building of the story towards the climax careful, sensitive and moving.

It's the story of a man, "Handsome" Harry (Jamie Sheridan) who didn't know his own life was a failure until he gets a call from an old navy friend (Steve Buscemi), forcing him to examine his life. It leads him on a road trip during which he seeks absolution - officially on his friend's behalf or maybe it's for himself - and has to come to grips with the decisions that he's made, the people that he's hurt and the crime he has committed. At the end of this journey, will he have the courage and strength to overcome the fear that drove him in the past?

I suspect the people who gave the movie poor grades were expecting something else entirely, a suspense thriller, and that's why they were disappointed. While there is some suspense here, it is first and foremost a soul-searching, heart-wrenching drama. And I for one feel richer for having seen it. Much like the jazz music that makes the beautiful soundtrack, there is not one note in it that's out of tune.

Gay Republicans (2004 TV Movie)

Shining a captivating light

[10/10 · 29 May 2008]

Shining a captivating light on gay Republicans and the conflict they face as they struggle to define themselves - as people, as voters and as members of a minority group - this movie follows the decision that gay Republicans had to arrive at in 2004, on whether or not they'll endorse Bush following his decision to support anti-gay legislation.

I thought what was interesting was that being conflicted came off as the sane stance in this movie, while all people who chose a side then dogmatically stuck by it - be it the gay Republicans who recite homophobic views to justify their ongoing support for a political party trying to rob them of their rights or gay people who advocate tolerance and acceptance of those different than themselves, yet can't possibly accept gay Republicans - came across as either hypocrites to one degree or another or blind, whether to themselves or to others.

I found this to be a wonderful look at a group of people that isn't easily - or sometimes, at all - understood by outsiders. I believe this to be quite an accomplishment and I applaud the movie makers for this.

If you're curious at all about gays, Republican gays or how does one live with a conflict, I think this movie would interest you very much.

Enter the Phoenix (2004)

A guilty pleasure, and a fine one it is

[10/10 · 2 February 2007]

It's not a simple task, giving this movie a review. Especially, I should add, because I've seen it right after seeing the movie "Bishonen", whose two stars are featured here as well, one even directs the movie.

Keeping this in mind, you may not be as surprised to hear that I was greatly thankful for the movie. Whereas "Bishonen" broke my heart, this movie revived it, and it was no easy task.

The plot starts with a face-off of the Triad's highest ranking members, which results in an accidental killing. Following this, said members swear not to harm one another any longer. However, a little boy is left an orphan, and he will seek to avenge his father later on.

25 years later and the "Big Brother" is dying. He asks his second in command to bring back his son and make sure he takes over the crime organization. The son, however, is gay and not interested in the job. His straight roommate is. So the switching of roles begins.

It's a light-hearted comedy which sets out to make fun of the usual clichés and does so extremely well. I think the moments dealing with the clichés are some of the best in the movie. At the same time, it also oozes with coolness during some scenes (the swearing of the new "Big Brother", the final action sequence at the end of the movie).

Not all is perfect with this movie. Some jokes are a bit crude, some comic scenes are somewhat over-acted (the fake son crying at his father's funeral, for example) and the plot doesn't always make all that much sense. Still, it made me laugh out loud at times, it was also had touching moments that ran deep in a way a lot of serious dramas don't manage to, Daniel Wu's character - the real son of "Big Brother" - is interesting and wonderful, not to mention stereotype-breaking as a gay man you *would* want to head a Triad.

Personally, I'd love to see a sequel, and that in itself says a lot. I even have the basic plot figured out, so I have no doubt it can (and should) be done.

Fixing Frank (2002)

Good issue, executed in a manner that leaves much to be desired

[4/10 · 23 October 2006]

I started watching this movie, not knowing what to expect. The whole issue of conversion therapy has been close to me ever since a friend of mine who's gay wanted to try and change his sexual orientation. That's why I approached this movie with both anticipation - for some possible answers - and dread.

Let me put it this way: if you want to understand why some gay men want to change their sexual orientation, you've come to the right place. The movie, through the characters of Frank and Dr. Apsey, raises many questions that aren't easily dismissed. The writing is good, the acting is good, and the way it all plays out is both engaging and plausible.

At the end of the day, however, I felt the problem was that too many of the questions raised weren't handled well enough, weren't addressed as they should have been, considering their enormity. Supposedly the movie gives both sides a chance to show their point of view. Supposedly you're given an answer at the end as to which "side" Frank chooses. But you're given no insight as to why he makes the choice that he does at the end (don't worry, I won't give it away) and you certainly not hearing a real discussion between the two opposing POVs, as one is more dominant in this movie, in a way that Considering the importance (even the urgent importance, that the movie itself refers to) of not leaving this discussion one-sided in those areas where there are answers to be offered to the questions raised here, I think there's still an issue of social responsibility pressing, that suggests those answers should have been supplied more than they have been.

Yet for all this, it does make you think. If you're willing to be a thinker, if you're willing to have a go and find the answers that truly balance things out yourself, you could indeed enjoy this movie.