I leaned a lot from "Ushpizin." That's one of the great things about seeing a lot of foreign films, you learn an awful lot about other countries, other cultures, other religions and other people. But there was more than just learning about another way of life here for me. I also had my heart and mind opened. A beautiful story about faith, forgiveness and love, "Ushpizin" is the kind of movie that will be able to heal the heart of the most hardened cynic.

The film revolves around an Orthodox Jewish couple in Israel celebrating the Succoth holiday. What is that? Well, the film explains it easily. It's a time where the Jews set up shelters near their homes in hopes of having visitors. Apparently, most times visitors do not come. But our protagonist and his wife, Moshe and Malli, have prayed very hard for a miracle this year because times are very hard. Not only are they rewarded with a financial windfall, but visitors do indeed come.

I don't want to spoil to much of the plot. Suffice it to say that the visitors are not what they seem and Malli and Moshe will have their faith tested to its absolute limit. I am certainly no scholar and have only the most rudimentary knowledge of Israel and Judaism. I had never heard of Succoth. But the film explains all of the elements of its plot's set-up very clearly and easily and even someone as ignorant as I am about these things has no trouble comprehending what was going on and understanding the film. And, at its heart, the film has a message of forgiveness and love that is so tender and beautiful it will bring tears to your eyes.

This is a great film with a wonderful story. And the acting here is just wonderful. Shuli Rand (who wrote the script) as Moshe and Michal Bat-Sheva Rand as Malli provide one of the most loving couples and two of the most engrossing characters to be seen in modern cinema. These two actors are married in real life but that doesn't stop them from bringing a fresh vibrancy to the silver screen. Their chemistry is undeniable and Michal is so charming, delightful and real that we hardly believe she is acting. It is impossible not to fall in love with these characters. We care very deeply about what happens to them.

I loved this film. It filled my heart with a joyousness and a calming love that I have not felt for a long time. As I drove home, the spirit of forgiveness and absolution proffered by the film overwhelmed me.

Usually when some one cuts me off on the freeway, I yell and curse them. I wish the most horrific diseases and accidents upon them. I let it get me so angry. While driving home from "Ushpizin," someone cut me off and I began to yell. Then the message of the film filled my heart and I smiled. Maybe the other driver didn't realize what he had done.

"Absolved, absolved, absolved," I said. Anyone who has ever ridden a mile in my car in heavy traffic knows what an amazing transformation that is.

Note:

In Hebrew and Yiddish with subtitles.

With Shaul Mizrahi (who looks like the Middle Eastern Harry Dean Stanton) and Ilan Ganani (who looks like the Middle Eastern Joe Strummer) as the guests.

The film debuted at the Jerusalem Film Festival in July of 2004, one month before it opened theatrically in that country. The film was picked up by Picturehouse who began a U.S. arthouse release in October of 2005.

Viewed at a press sneak at the Dobie Theater in the Gothic room in December of 2005. I was the only press person there besides a film rep, so I pretty much got a private screening.

Report Card

Script: A+

Acting: A+

Cinematography\Lighting: A+

Special Effects\Make Up: A+

Music: B-

Final Grade: A+