I enjoyed Yossi far more than Yossi & Jagger, of which it's a 10-years-later sequel to. The superb film explores the real and very human experience of loss and depression. The writer/director, and especially the actor in the role, captured Yossi's despair in a poignant and visceral way. Anyone who has experienced the depths of depression for themselves will recognize it as all too familiar.
Upon my first viewing, I will admit that I was uncertain about the love interest. I thought he might be too young for Yossi. I would've preferred someone a bit closer to mid-thirties than mid-twenties. However, that said, I recognize that part of the appeal of Tom was that he was a reminder of what Yossi once had, and lost. Therefore it was a sort of healing of the past for him as well as a healing of the heart.
At first, the ending was a bit too sweet and saccharin for me as well. But after I viewed the entire film once more, I began to see that perhaps it shouldn't be taken quite so literally. It is far more about hope and possibility, about moving on and finally living life, rather than about running away and "forever".
It's deplorable, though, how some reviewers elsewhere disparage Yossi's physical appearance. It's shallow and devalues the beauty of the film itself. Some may not know it, but that is what deep depression truly looks like. And yes, a person can be that mired in a deep depression for 10 years, or even longer, quite easily. Can become stuck in time. Anyone who has battled depression throughout their lifetime would probably concur on that.
There was a reviewer who brilliantly suggested that Yossi's outward appearance is actually a representation of his inner self. That what we see is how Yossi sees and feels about himself, not necessarily how he appears to others. I quite like that take on it.
Yossi transcends films that focus almost solely on the "sexuality" aspect of a character or story. It gives the audience much to think about because it's a study on the human experience. More and more, films with queer characters are pulling away from the "queer" genre toward universal themes, telling more universal stories. I hope it's a trend that continues.
A great deal of thought and care went into creating the film, and I think that's very clear from beginning to end. Yossi is wonderful and should be watched at least twice through because there is so much to discover. I wish more films were this exceptional and well-made.
Upon my first viewing, I will admit that I was uncertain about the love interest. I thought he might be too young for Yossi. I would've preferred someone a bit closer to mid-thirties than mid-twenties. However, that said, I recognize that part of the appeal of Tom was that he was a reminder of what Yossi once had, and lost. Therefore it was a sort of healing of the past for him as well as a healing of the heart.
At first, the ending was a bit too sweet and saccharin for me as well. But after I viewed the entire film once more, I began to see that perhaps it shouldn't be taken quite so literally. It is far more about hope and possibility, about moving on and finally living life, rather than about running away and "forever".
It's deplorable, though, how some reviewers elsewhere disparage Yossi's physical appearance. It's shallow and devalues the beauty of the film itself. Some may not know it, but that is what deep depression truly looks like. And yes, a person can be that mired in a deep depression for 10 years, or even longer, quite easily. Can become stuck in time. Anyone who has battled depression throughout their lifetime would probably concur on that.
There was a reviewer who brilliantly suggested that Yossi's outward appearance is actually a representation of his inner self. That what we see is how Yossi sees and feels about himself, not necessarily how he appears to others. I quite like that take on it.
Yossi transcends films that focus almost solely on the "sexuality" aspect of a character or story. It gives the audience much to think about because it's a study on the human experience. More and more, films with queer characters are pulling away from the "queer" genre toward universal themes, telling more universal stories. I hope it's a trend that continues.
A great deal of thought and care went into creating the film, and I think that's very clear from beginning to end. Yossi is wonderful and should be watched at least twice through because there is so much to discover. I wish more films were this exceptional and well-made.