Close To Home (2005/Israel)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: D     Film: B-

 

 

The Dalia Hager/Vidi Bilu film Close To Home (2005) takes its 99 minutes and tells a pretty good story about the women who also land up serving the Israeli military by handling checkpoints throughout the ever-intense religious and terrorist situation in the Middle East.  Instead of a military film or something predictable, the writer/directors want to show events as a slice of life despite al the pressures involved.

 

This does not necessarily imply grace under pressure, but it seems that is there too, whether the characters are aware of it or not.  The two ladies that the film focuses on are Mirit (Naama Schendar) and Smadar, the latter of who will shake up the situation and lives of all around them.  Between the tension of the situation and of the characters, this makes for good viewing.  Yes, there are some missed opportunities and even a little run-on in the script, but the film is ambitious enough to recommend and is one of the more interesting films of late on the current Middle East situation.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image can be soft at time, but plays nicely otherwise with consistent color.  The Dolby Digital Hebrew 2.0 Stereo is simple and has no major surrounds despite the packages claim, making the combination watchable enough if not spectacular.  There are no extras.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo