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Everything Is Illuminated (2005)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
16 September 2005 (USA) moreTagline:
Leave Normal Behind.Plot:
A young Jewish American man endeavors to find the woman who saved his grandfather during World War II in a Ukrainian village, that was ultimately razed by the Nazis, with the help of a local who speaks weirdly funny broken English. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
7 wins & 4 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Jonathan Safran Foer Reads from Eating Animals (From Vanity Fair. 5 November 2009, 9:24 AM, PST)
Film School 101: Protagonists
(From Atomic Popcorn. 1 November 2009, 4:57 AM, PST)
User Comments:
A young man follows his roots to Ukraine more (156 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Eugene Hutz | ... | Alex | |
| Elijah Wood | ... | Jonathan Safran Foer | |
| Jonathan Safran Foer | ... | Leaf Blower | |
| Jana Hrabetova | ... | Jonathan's Grandmother | |
| Stephen Samudovsky | ... | Jonathan's Grandfather Safran | |
| Ljubomir Dezera | ... | Young Jonathan | |
| Oleksandr Choroshko | ... | Alexander Perchov, Father | |
| Gil Kazimirov | ... | Igor | |
| Zuzana Hodkova | ... | Alex's Mother | |
| Mikki | ... | Sammy Davis Jr. Jr. | |
| Mouse | ... | Sammy Davis Jr. Jr. | |
| Boris Leskin | ... | Grandfather | |
| Robert Chytil | ... | Breakdancer | |
| Jaroslava Sochova | ... | Woman on Train | |
| Sergei Ryabtsev | ... | Ukrainian Band Member (as Sergej Rjabcev) |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for disturbing images/violence, sexual content and language.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
106 minCountry:
USAColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreCertification:
UK:12A | Ireland:12A | Brazil:14 | Mexico:B15 | Argentina:13 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Germany:12 | Finland:K-11 | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG | USA:PG-13 (certificate #41916) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:15Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The blue car used throughout the movie is a Trabant 601 Kombi/Estate. moreGoofs:
Continuity: In front of the train station, Jonathan explains to Alex that he is distressed by dogs as Alex gets into the vehicle. Jonathan miraculously ends up in the vehicle after both the driver and passenger are seated in a 2-door Trabant. moreSoundtrack:
Dikiy Muzhchina moreFAQ
Who is the dedication to at the end of the movie? Alex 1993more
more (156 total)
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I just saw "Everything is Illuminated" at the Telluride Film Festival. This is a truly remarkable film. Very emotional, funny at times and heart-warming. Bring your handkerchiefs! For those of you who enjoy a movie that brings tears to your eyes, I'm reminded of the endings of "Babette's Feast" and "The Notebook." The stories were completely different but had that same emotional power to bring tears to my eyes, just as this film did.
No spoilers here. The summary is, as IMDb describes, a young man's journey to the Ukraine to follow his roots and find the village where his father grew up.
The dialog is in English and Ukrainian (and Russian too, I believe). This allows for some wonderfully linguistically-based moments as one character interprets, more or less faithfully, for the English speaker in the group, depending on the circumstances.
The scenery is wonderful and the musical score is a treat with wonderful Eastern European influences. Be sure you stay through the credits for the final tune.
This is Lieve Schreiber's directorial debut and is well done. I give this film a 9, one of the best films I've seen in a long time. I recommend it highly.