Alan & Naomi (1992) User Reviews

Haas Lifts This Teen Melodrama

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 27 March 2006]

Normally, I wouldn't go for a movie centered around two young teens but this is well-done and one of the actors, Lukas Haas, is a veteran despite his age. (He was the little Amish boy in "Witness").

Haas is outstanding in here, particularly in conveying his feelings throughout the film. It's a story that could easily be trite or corny but winds up appealing with no unpleasant scenes overdone. That could have happened since the girl (Vanessa Zaoui) is a traumatized kid with several mental problems. Michael Gross and Amy Aquino, meanwhile, do a decent job of playing Jewish parents and it's nice to see a father portrayed in a positive light, for a change.

In summary, a good and somewhat underrated melodrama

Warm, entertaining, good family viewing

[bho1t · 9/10 · 2 September 2001]

I highly recommend this film for family viewing, at least for preteens and older. Naomi is a French girl who has been traumatized by witnessing Nazi brutality against her parents, but the dark aspect of this situation is dealt with directly only briefly as a background for Naomi's unwillingness to speak to anyone. The majority of the film is much lighter, without being unrealistically so. Naomi and her new American acquaintance, Alan(both 14 years old or so), find a unique method of communication, and everyone hopes this will be the key to unlock her world. Lukas Haas and Vanessa Zaoui give outstanding, believable performances, outperforming most of the adults in the cast. They play Alan and Naomi, who deal with issues of peer pressure, parent pressure, trust, betrayal, jealousy, fear, and friendship. Fortunately, Hollywood's usual distortions and sugar coatings are missing in this one. Even the typical "and they lived happily ever after" ending for this type of film was avoided, without ending on a sour note.

I keep coming back to this film

[overseer-3 · 10/10 · 26 September 2007]

Alan and Naomi is an unforgettable film of incredible depth, humanity, and vision; on so many levels it's just about impossible to list them all. Every scene is lovingly crafted and there isn't a moment that is superfluous to the film. Every scene builds upon the next until the exceptional ending, one of the most powerfully climactic scenes I've ever seen in my life.

The story takes place in the early 1940's and a young girl is saved from Nazi Germany along with her mother and brought to Brooklyn, New York. Little Naomi is catatonic because she saw her father murdered right in front of her eyes. Alan is a Jewish boy who lives in the same apartment building. His mother asks him to spend time with Naomi, just so that she can feel she has a friend, and maybe she will be able to heal. Alan at first is very angry that he has to give up his stickball games with his friends after school just to sit with Naomi, who doesn't even acknowledge his presence. Then slowly Alan grows to care about Naomi and to think less and less of himself, and more of her sorrows and struggles. In the process Alan grows up.

All the acting is first rate here, and the sets and music are perfect to make one feel one is actually back in time in America during World War Two. Sold on the Feature Films For Families website and Amazon.com and highly recommended.

I don't think in this day and age that the historical topics broached in this film have lost any of their relevance or significance. It's good for children to know that history tends to repeat itself but that human beings can learn from the past if they choose to do so and try to rise above past mistakes. Only giving children today a diet of superficial Disney shows doesn't exactly make them well-educated. Take a break from the high school musicals and watch Alan and Naomi with your children. You'll be glad you did.

a poignant film. Haas' performance is exquisite

[cromwell-3 · 22 September 1999]

The plot, which you can read elsewhere on this page, seems slim and easily dismissable; one can imagine an ABC afternoon special made on the same themes. The film's grace, however, is achieved entirely by its performances. Lukas Haas, as an American Brooklyn boy initially irritated by his Jewish heritage, is wonderful to watch as his character grows in affection and charm. Michael Gross is surprising in his affable characterisation of Alan's Dad -- not a far stretch from his "Family Ties" role perhaps but charming nevertheless. The film is mawkish in a few instances but on the whole it is incredibly bittersweet and poignant. See this movie.

liked the book better

[MsKateHepburn · 2/10 · 21 April 2005]

When I found out there was a movie based on the book, I was thrilled and I immediately checked it out. I was sorely disappointed. Truth be told, that might be an unfair assessment; I enjoyed watching the actors who played Naomi,Mr. and Mrs. Silverman, and Mrs. Liebman. My main complaint was with the one who played Alan. I couldn't stand his voice (talk about irritating!) and I didn't like the way that he played Alan. I think that the book portrays him with more spunk and life. When I watched the movie, though, I kept on thinking, "What on earth does Shaun SEE in this guy? Go get some real friends." One bad actor may not turn a movie into a bomb, but this is a story that really needs the leads to pull through.

Riviting Performances.

[jeromec-2 · 9/10 · 5 April 2006]

This is a film about a Jewish teenager (Haas) who has no idea what his Jewishness means and meets a Jewish girl who knows nothing else.

The plot of the film allows us to watch him learn how Alan controls his temper and becomes a man while dealing with very serious problems as he slowly draws her into the world they live in.

Anyone who has dealt with mental illness knows that progress is not linear. Many backward steps are taken for every one that moves forward. In that the film is slightly deceptive: it leads us to believe that his treatment of her was like solving a geometry problem: each part contributes to the whole. If the part does not fit don't use it.

Movies are only two hours long. Choices have to be made. David and Lisa is probably better if one seeks accuracy. The choice here was character.

Alan grew. He learned how to give all he could to someone else. He was not thinking of his reward: he was thinking of her. As much as anything, his early failures brought about that development.

For such a young actress, Vanessa Zaoui had a wide range of emotions to deal with and she does it well. She went from compulsion (paper tearing) to transference (talking through her doll) random intense fear but timid acceptance of the outside world, to catatonia. At each step Alan, her unselfish teacher and leader, knows instinctively what to do simply by loving her as he would a much younger handicapped sister. He slowly learns how to sensitively communicate the very essence of himself.

I would not call this an entertaining film, but it is a very good study of two young teens who teach each other much.

Awesome Movie!

[dancechick29 · 9/10 · 13 September 2005]

Alan and Naomi is one of the best movies I've ever seen. It's kinda a tear-jerker, but i liked it a lot. Vanessa Zaoui plays Naomi and she is an excellent actress although I have never seen her in any other movie. She plays a French girl who moved to America after she witnesses her father's death, which was caused by the Nazi's. Alan is a kid growing up in Brooklyn who would rather play stick-ball than visit the "crazy girl" next door, but her mother forces him. Naomi is usually in her own world and spooks easily when approached. I really enjoyed this movie because I love period pieces and the acting is really well done. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the World War II era.

Compassionate and Moving

[rfsavio · 10/10 · 21 April 2006]

This movie shows the depth of understanding possible for anyone but especially an adolescent male (Alan) when he has time and personal input upon which to reflect the plight and life of another.

In the beginning Alan is a typical young man of the 1940's and as he becomes involved with Naomi, albeit reluctantly at first, he changes his attitude toward a more compassionate and feeling understanding of this unfortunate girl.

The final scene on the hospital grounds when they sit on the bench and lean against one another speaks volumes about bonding, caring and spiritual and emotional love that only comes from true empathy.

A classic film, rife with emotion and a story that will endure.

Very touching

[seccles · 9/10 · 25 June 2002]

This is a very touching movie. It is worth watching for anyone who likes war stories.

Interesting cast. It moves slowly but is very watchable and worthwhile to watch for the 90 minutes.

Heartbreaking and perfect

[cathernrealliving · 10/10 · 24 October 2018]

I saw this movie when I was little and loved it. For a 10 yr old loving a drama about children and trauma and war should tell you its fantastic. I hope I can find a copy for my kids one day. It is a beautiful movie!!

for anyone who loves this film

[libfredumb · 10/10 · 24 March 2006]

I understand that many have not seen this film.and i would not have found it again myself if it wasn't for this site. i saw this on a weekend special done by starz.and after that i've subscribed ever since, but they have never shown it , this movie if you look at it from the point of view of a child, shines to the truth Alan doesn't understand Naomi any better she does to him. anyone who has children will understand that it's hard to realize what they go through. how can a child understand the death of their parents if they've nothing to to compare it to.. if you believe that mother is god upon your lips than how can a poor Jewish boy who can't even speak your language assuage your grief?...this is a movie about breaking through...Alan and Naomi find what every wants and can't have if just for a moment... please i just wish you'd let it touch you the way it has me...I gave this movie a ten out of ten because it captures the human spirit ...and just like all it's watchers should have ...it gives you what you want.....courtesy William Shakespeare

Well-meaning but ineffective drama

[lor_ · 3 July 2023]

My review was written in January 1992 after watching the movie at a Manhattan screening room.

Good intentions ar3en't enough to put across "Alan & Naomi", a lifeless film about the rites of passage of two Jewish children in 1944 Brooklyn. Claustrophobic feature will play much better on TV following the theatrical run.

Lukas Haas, his voice literally breaking from scene to scene, does yeoman work here but is stuck in a do-gooder role as a 14-year-old forced by his parents to befriend a virtually catatonic neighbor girl Naomi (lovely French actress Vanessa Zaoui), who was traumatized when the Nazis killed her father.

Slow-paced opening reels show Haas patiently trying to break her out of her spell, though he would much rather be out playing stickball with chums like Irish kid Kevin Connolly.

With the aid of his ventriloquist's dummy, he gets through to her as Zaoui talks through her beloved doll. Film loses much of its built-up credibility when Naomi is suddenly "normal", after Haas gets her to talk directly to him rather than through the dolls.

In similar sensitive films about breaking through to someone, like the classics "Miracle Worker" and "David & Lisa", high drama and interesting detail usually bring the viewer inside. Unfortunately, scripter Jordan Horowitz and debuting director Sterling Van Wagenen fail to come up with great moments, and the dialogue is stilted.

Climax in a boiler room where Zaoui is framed by a roaring furnace is an extremely heavy-handed allusion to the Holocaust which she's escaped from to America. Sad ending does not carry the intended emotional force.

Cast is overly theatrical, though Connolly's natural performance in support is faultless. Haas does well in his monologues but is constantly forced to rise above the material. Picture was shot just before his "Rambling Rose" assignment.

TV star Michael Gross and Amy Aquino are affecting as Haas' parents, but kindly neighbor Zohra Lampert lays it on a bit thick with her heavy accent and mannerisms. Precocious Zaoui does a good job within the limits of her gimmick role and should have no trouble graduating to adult parts.

The former DEG studio in Wilmington, North Carolina is too fresh-scrubbed looking to double for vintage Brooklyn, and film's technical credits are modest. Giving it a big boost is the flavorful big-band score by Dick Hyman.