I have watched Avalon seven times now. From the second time on, I promised myself that I wouldn't cry at the end, but I did. No other film is like that for me. This is the film analog of The Great American Novel. Barry Levinson illustrates the fundamental American experience of immigration, assimilation, disintegration and shows us all of its facets through one representative family. This 1990 film got a batch of nominations. Only the Writers Guild of America gave Levinson its award for best screenplay written directly for the screen. It wasn't nominated for a best-picture Oscar, which went to Dances With Wolves. The Oscar for best screenplay written directly for the screen went to Ghost. I believe that, in time, Avalon will become a cult favorite and critics will wonder how this extraordinary artwork was overlooked for so long.
Review of Avalon
