Hester Street (1975)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Joan Micklin Silver

Writers:

Abraham Cahan (story)
Joan Micklin Silver (writer)

Release Date:

24 August 1976 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

New York City | Jewish History | Jewish | Divorce | 1900s

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Carol Kane	...	Gitl
Steven Keats	...	Jake
Mel Howard	...	Bernstein
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Anna Berger	...	Poultry Woman
Ed Crowley	...	Inspector (as Edward Crowley)
Paul Freedman	...	Joey
Sol Frieder	...	Scribe
Lauren Frost	...	Fanny
Martin Garner	...	Boss
Dorrie Kavanaugh	...	Mamie
Zane Lasky	...	Greenhorn (as Zane Laski)
Mordecai Lawner	...	Waiter
Leib Lensky	...	Peddler
Robert Lesser	...	Lawyer
Eda Reiss Merin	...	Rabbi's Wife
Joanna Merlin	...	Jake's Landlady
Doris Roberts	...	Mrs. Kavarsky
Bert Salzman	...	Zalman
Zvee Scooler	...	Rabbi
Lin Shaye	...	Whore
Claudia Silver	...	Feigie
Philip Sterling	...	Mr. Lipman
Stephen Strimpell	...	Joe Peltner
Joel Wolfe	...	Kaminsky

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Yiddish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Sweden:Btl | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

7th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Midwest Films

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 48th Annual Academy Awards (1976) (TV)

Carol Kane Is The Whole Show In Excellent, But Little-seen Drama

This slow-moving, cheaply made period piece surprised me with its well-constructed plot and good characterizations. The movie takes place in New York at the end of the 19th century. Carol Kane plays a Russian Jewish woman who comes to USA in order to join her husband, who had left Russia in search for a better future. But Kane is shocked to discover that her husband no longer cares for traditional values. It is an interesting take on clash of cultures. The film is very good at exploring the lives of immigrants who often want to assimilate, but do not want to lose their cultural identity. Kane's quirky looks and unintentional funny voice prevented her from ever becoming a major Hollywood player, but I have always liked her. Here she demonstrates that she could be great under the right circumstances. She is unforgettable, and kudos to the Academy for recognizing a superb performance in a very low budget, independently produced film. Kane has never found another great film role (her babysitter in the original "A Stranger Calls" is an iconic role, though), but I'm glad that she eventually gained some respect when she joined the cast of TV series "Taxi." If you want to see what she is capable doing, watch this movie, it is now available on DVD.