Movie- Yentl

#3 - Yentl

Profile
Came out in 1983
Running time of 2 hours and 14 minutes
Rated PG
Available on VHS and DVD
Directed by Barbra Streisand
Written by Barbra Streisand and Jack Rosenthal
Based on the short story by Isaac Bashevis Singer
Main Stars: Barbra Streisand, Mandy Patinkin, Amy Irving

Memorable Songs: Papa Can You Hear Me?; No Wonder; The Way He Makes Me Feel; No Matter What Happens

What's it all about:
The film depicts Yentl's journey at the turn of the 20th Century in Eastern Europe. Yentl is a courageous, Orthodox woman, who takes extreme measures to study the Talmud. Yentl disguises herself as a young man, enters a yeshiva, and falls in love with another young scholar named Avignor. To make things more complex, Avignor's fiancée falls in love with Yentl.

Why I Recommend It:
1 - The songs. Unlike most musicals, the songs in Yentl depict Yentl's internal struggle, as if she was speaking to herself and trying to work things out.

2 - The depiction of a strong, courageous orthodox woman, who wants to do more than raise children. Yentl is a precursor to the modern orthodox woman, who goes to yeshiva, studies, and has meaningful employment. What is so refreshing is that Yentl's story takes place at the turn of the 20th century, when women were beginning to fight for their rights in America.

3 - The satisfying conclusion. Everything manages to work its way out at the end with Yentl taking a bold step that many Eastern Europeans took in order to start a new life and a new beginning.

Distinguishing Jewish Appeal:
1 - The depiction of Eastern European Jewish life at the turn of the Century. Modern individuals can take a glimpse of how things used to be in Eastern Europe.

2 - The depiction of Yeshiva life in Eastern Europe.

Of Note:
1- The film got five Academy Award nominations.

2 - Yentl marks the directing debut of Barbra Streisand, who is the first and only woman to win a Golden Globe Award for directing a feature film.

3 - Amy Irving is the ex-wife of Steven Speilberg and the mother of his son Max. She also starred in the Jewish comedy Crossing Delancey and has a recurring role on the TV show Alias as Emily Sloane.

Added: December 24th 2002
Reviewer: Sandy Chertok
Score:
Related Link: Buy it at Amazon
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Language: catala