Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi

Rating:
Summary: a classic "Cinderella" story
Review: "I wanted her to think I am fair, and pure are my hands, and clear is my mind." (Natan Alterman)

How can it be that people can live lives so entertwined and yet be so oblivious to the obvious? For Shlomi it's because he's far too focused upon others to consider himself, and for the others, they're far too focused on themselves to consider Shlomi. BONJOUR MONSIEUR SHLOMI has been called a "coming of age feature" but sadly, this sub-genre has become so burdened with garbage, it would be a disservice to relegate such a fine film to that wasteland. SHLOMI is a classic "Cinderella" story that is clever, funny, sad, romantic, charming and gets just about everything right. I started this review with some words from one of Israel's greatest poets, Natan Alterman, who's work plays an important role in this film and this line in particular acts as a blueprint for the way director Shemi Zarhin approaches his subject, and the way his subject approaches love. Shlomi is a 17 year old who is flunking most of his high-school classes and is generally considered by all (including his own family) to be intellectually handicapped. In reality, he's a math genius and musical prodigy. Shlomi lives in a dysfunctional family for which he has assumed the role of primary care giver, but despite his role he's almost completely taken for granted. Shlomi is a gifted cook, and this skill is his primary means of expression and the only weapon he possesses against the chaos that constantly threatens to consume his family life. Shlomi is in love with the beautiful 17-year-old that lives next door who is also an object of lust for his cocky, spoiled older brother. By itself, the plot could very easily have sunk into a mire of over-sentimentality and hormonal nausea (we've seen this film a hundred times before!) but SHLOMI manages to soar into the sky like the fading eyes of Shlomi's grandfather who lives in the past while pushing his grandson towards the future - a future filled with choices that are his alone. The acting by everyone in this film is convincing, the cinematography crisp, and the music infectious.

"Sometimes from the night we open astonished eyes and slowly we smile, out of our wisdom and folly. Mother's greyness looks at our lives, the silence of rooms where there is no child." (Natan Alterman)


Rating:
Summary: An overlooked gem
Review: According to Box Office Mojo, this film grossed approximately $50,000 in U.S. first-run theater receipts, which means that if ever a movie qualifies an overlooked gem, this is it. Which is a shame. There's a bushelful of wonderful performances here, from lead Oshri Cohen to Esti Zakheim and Albert Iluz (as parents Ruhama and Robert respectively) to Yigal Naor as the gruff but kind-hearted headmaster.

And you've not lived until you've seen Aya Koren (as the young female lead) smile. Her beauty will take your breath away.

My wife and I tried to tell everyone about this movie, but it was so far under the radar, it slipped quickly from distribution in a jiffy. Please make every effort to see this beautiful film on DVD.

Produced, filmed and released in Israel under the title "Ha-Kochavim Shel Shlomi" ("The Stars of Shlomi"), Shemi Zarhin's bittersweet tale of a (highly) dysfunctional Israeli family is at times hilarious, at other times heart-rending. If you liked the wonderful Israeli film "Broken Wings," then Bonjour - a slightly lighter cup of tea - is definitely right up your alley.

Which reminds me, if you're in the mood, here's a quartet of recent Israeli films that ought to be on your immediate veiewing agenda (arranged in order of lightness, so you can prepare accordingly):

1. This one.
2. Broken Wings ("Knafayim Shvurot")
3. Time of Favor ("Ha-Hesder")
4. Kadosh (bleak! Not a casual viewing)


Rating:
Summary: Best Israeli movie I've ever seen
Review: Story of Shlomi (high school age kid) who's basically just not appreciated in is home even though he's the one that seems to keep it orderly. His grandfather is really cool and is the only one that truly appreciates Shlomi.

Anyway, long story short, it turns out that Shlomi is a math whiz (and cooking whiz), but had been slipping through the cracks for years in school. He leaves home with a nice looking neighbor girl to go somewhere he's appreciated. In the end, everybody realizes what a champ Shlomi is.