esrosedotblog

IDENTITY

Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was Europa Europa (1990).

A Jewish kid, caught in the chaotic early stages of WWII, gets thrown into a series of escapes and near misses as he heads east toward the Russian front then back west to the German side, all the while attempting to hide his identity as a Jew; most notably, his circumcision.

The use of this pivotal device, so to speak, adds to the humor as well as the suspense. Well, it is totemic isn't it?

It is the crux of his identity. He is not religious but he does feel the bond of brotherhood. He is a Jew through and through.

Sometimes scary, sometimes funny, sometimes horrific, sometimes sad and terminally upsetting, this autobiographical tale makes for quite a good movie.

The boy who plays Simon, Marco Hofschneider, is great to watch. Julie Delpy of Before Sunrise and Before Sunset plays a small and important role here. She is one of the threats to circumcision exposure.

The last scene in this picture is worth the wait. I will not spoil it for you. Get the disc.

I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.