58
Metascore
21 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80The A.V. ClubNathan RabinThe A.V. ClubNathan RabinOne of its great strengths lies in its surprising universality.
- 75New York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanNew York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanMasterly coming-of-age drama.
- 70Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumChicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumThe story's resolution isn't very satisfying, but I considered most of this movie time well spent.
- 70VarietyVarietyOffers an occasionally fascinating look at the complex social, religious and political dynamics that help define the sacred city of Jerusalem.
- 70Dallas ObserverBill GalloDallas ObserverBill GalloA former yeshiva student himself, Gorlin turns this tale of political intrigue and the search for divinity into an act of liberation -- if not outright defiance.
- 70Village VoiceJ. HobermanVillage VoiceJ. HobermanThis broadly acted first feature is exceedingly direct, appropriately sordid, and at times, almost delicate.
- 70L.A. WeeklyElla TaylorL.A. WeeklyElla TaylorThe film, like the beleaguered country it depicts, has a raw, neurotic, brawling yet tender vitality.
- 50The New York TimesStephen HoldenThe New York TimesStephen HoldenA barbed reflection on the great divide between secular and ultra-Orthodox Judaism in Israeli culture. But its digressive screenplay lacks focus and momentum and is too oblique to connect many of the dots between its characters and their behavior.
- 30Film ThreatPhil HallFilm ThreatPhil HallSmall, amateurish Israeli feature.