Yossi (2012) User Reviews

A wonderful sequel

[itsvivek4u · 8/10 · 29 December 2012]

I can't really remember watching a sequel of a gay film before. Either there haven't been one before or I have missed them. When I say sequel, I mean real sequel that takes the story forward and not just series like 'Eating Out'. Yossi takes the story forward from 'Yossi & Jagger', where the protagonist Jagger dies in a tragic military ambush and how Yossi is going on with his life.

Its been about 10 years since the incident had happened. Yossi is now a doctor but a very very lonely man. His anxieties are pushing their way into lonely nights with internet porn and growing detachment from his hospital's job. Yossi is still in closet, doesn't like to talk to anyone about being gay. A chance encounter with Jagger's mother at the hospital check up makes him to go to their house to tell Jagger's parents who he really is and what his relationship with Jagger was. Jagger's father is OK but the mother doesn't take it all too well. Being pushed to take a vacation, Yossi takes on a solitary road trip. He ends up picking 4 soldiers as hitchhikers who miss their bus. The groups of 4 is very very fun loving and they taunt him with the name Mozart. One of the guys in the group, Tom is gay and he and the others are very comfortable with it. Tom wants to spend time with Yossi who still prefers to be on his own just reading books but Tom won't leave him alone. Its Tom, who make Yossi come out of his cocoon and he helps Yossi evaluate his problems over a period of time and Tom helps him bring back being comfortable with who he is.

From the production values perspective, this film is Eytan Fox's best work to date. Even in terms of story and direction, it is a very accomplished work. As a viewer we really get to experience what Yossi is going through. It has been 10 years since Jagger's death but every single day, Yossi is still suffering thinking whether Jagger heard or not when he said 'I Love You'. Yossi is in denial of his nonexistent social life. Following his daily routine, the audience also sees something very humane and sad. No one would wish something like that for anyone. The inner turmoil that he goes through on whether or not to meet Jagger's parents is also done very very well. He is actually heart-wrenching. The movie then just goes in to a completely different dimension when Yossi goes a road trip. Yossi is always apologetic and ashamed of himself and his body. The young soldier Tom makes him realize that time have changed, Israel has changed and Yossi can be OK with who he is. In fact in a very touching scene when Yossi and Tom are about to get into bed, it is Tom who pushes Yossi to be comfortable with himself and his body and be proud of it. The acting from everyone is impeccable. Casuality driven Yossi, still in closet, carrying on from his military days has been acted really really well. The new guy Tom, does good job and looks cute but he does not have that mischief and innocent pure face and eyes of Jagger. He was something else.

A definite watch. I am so glad I decided to watch the prequel first and follow it up with this movie. I was able to connect with it even more and was still very very satisfied.

An Interesting Story Continued...

[soncoman · 7/10 · 18 February 2013]

In 2002, director Eytan Fox brought us "Yossi & Jagger, " a film simply described as "a gay love story between two Israeli soldiers." It packed a lot of emotion and feeling in a scant 65 minutes. If you haven't seen that film, please do – and stop reading this review as there are major spoilers to that film contained herein.

It's ten years later, and Fox returns with the even more simply titled "Yossi," which continues the story of the aforementioned character. Yossi (Ohad Noller) is out of the military, a practicing physician, and incredibly lonely and unhappy. (Having your lover die in your arms can lead to such a life.) He spends a lot of time at the hospital avoiding the unwanted advances of female colleagues and his time at home trolling chat rooms and hook up sites. He's ten years older, several pounds heavier and still unable to deal with the truth about who he is. The emptiness in Yossi's life is never more evident then in a particularly devastating scene involving a chat room hook up.

Forced by his hospital administrator to take some time off, Yossi heads off on a road trip (to Gaza?!) and happens upon a group of soldiers who missed their transport. He offers them a lift to the resort they're headed for, and ends up staying there. There seems to be this one particular soldier… And so it goes. Yossi's reawakening begins.

An interesting side note is that "Yossi" also gives us a glimpse of how an openly gay soldier serving his country is treated by fellow soldiers – pretty much how every other soldier is treated. Mind you, gay men and women have been able to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces for over twenty years now and their world hasn't crumbled yet (though it always seems to be on a precipice, for any number of reason.) Coming in at an also compact 84 minutes, "Yossi" is a sweet tale of starting to find one's way back after losing a love - something to which everyone, gay or straight, can probably relate.

www.worstshowontheweb.com

Sharply Observed Romance

[l_rawjalaurence · 7/10 · 7 February 2014]

Set in contemporary Israel, YOSSI follows the life of the eponymous hero (Ohad Knoller), a heart surgeon who spends most of his life at work to try to compensate for a non-existent social life. Having lost his lover in combat, Yossi spends his few leisure hours watching porno films on a computer, trying and failing to find dates, and making a pilgrimage to Varda's (Orly Silbersatz's) house - Varda being the mother of his deceased lover. Eytan Fox's film is a stark depiction of loneliness - there is little or no music, and the camera scarcely departs from Yossi's face as he looks at his shapeless figure and wonders whether he will be able to escape the trauma of his loss. However the film takes an optimistic turn as Yossi travels to a resort, and on the way meets up with a group of soldiers. One of them, Tom (Oz Zehavi) takes a fancy to him - even though it takes a long time for Yossi to shed his inhibitions and respond in kind. In a consciously vulgar seaside resort, full of manufactured entertainment and artificial swimming-pools, the two of them spend the night together and subsequently take a life-changing decision. Fox's film offers hope for anyone trying to cope with the pain of losing a loved one.

Human experience of depression and loss

[scififangeek · 15 September 2015]

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.

It may not add much to the original but it is an intelligent addition to LGBT cinema.

[MOscarbradley · 6/10 · 15 March 2017]

I normally don't watch sequels when I haven't seen the original but in the case of "Yossi" I thought I would make an exception. It's a sequel to "Yossi and Jagger" and it takes up the story of Yossi, an Israeli doctor, after the death of his lover, Jagger, who was killed when they were soldiers in the Lebanon. Other than providing some kind of happy ending for Yossi this time round this seems to me a somewhat pointless film despite being very well written, directed and acted. As gay 'romances' go it's certainly up-front and honest and hardly sentimental but the 10 year gap between the two films gives this the feeling of an afterthought. Nevertheless, it's still a welcome addition to LGBT cinema if only for treating both its characters and its audience with some degree of intelligence.

Israel's answer to Brokeback Mountain

[palmhead · 10/10 · 26 July 2013]

Both of these movies were powerful films and the sequel does not disappoint. Ohad Knoller did a wonderful job. One of the existing reviews seemed to judge everything based on the looks of the individual actors in the film which seemed rather shallow. I did agree with them on some points though. Yes, Yossi, in spite of the weight he has added, still carried the movie, and he is still a strikingly handsome fellow. At first I could not recognize him as the same fellow that was in Jossi and Jagger. Secondly, the toilet scene where the other doctor brings a girl in to have a threesome with Yossi, seemed a little out of place, but perhaps it added some additional perspective to the lonely and dismal place that Jossi was in his life at that stage. Overall, I loved the movie and would say that it is easily Israel's answer to Brokeback Mountain. I thought about Jossi for days after viewing the film in much the same way I did when I saw Brokeback Mountain.

I would now like to see anything with Ohad Knoller in it...he is my new favorite actor. Go Ohad!!!

fine entertainment

[proud_luddite · 7/10 · 22 February 2020]

The film centres around a gay man in his mid-thirties who works as a cardiologist in Tel Aviv, Israel. Still grieving his lover killed years ago, he lives a repressed and lonely life until things change in the film's second half.

This is a very compassionate film. It is occasionally satirical including a great scene that exposes the superficiality of the online dating scene. In the lead role, Ohad Knoller expresses the loneliness with much subtlety. He's quite likeable.

The film could have prolonged a passionate scene near the end. It also misses an opportunity to explore the apparent bi-curiousity of one of Yossi's colleagues. Still, it is fine entertainment. Points must be given for the avoidance of typical plotline cliches around gay characters.

Slow-burning drama

[euroGary · 8/10 · 20 August 2013]

Barely one week after watching, for the first time, 2002 Israeli film 'Yossi and Jagger', about a secret love affair between two male soldiers, I was surprised to discover it had spawned a sequel that was showing in London! 'Yossi' is set ten years after 'Yossi and Jagger' and sees the titular character, now out of the military, spending his days as a hospital doctor and his nights trawling websites for casual sex. Closeted, he's rather sad and lonely, until an encounter with a group of young soldiers - one of whom is out, proud and (fortunately for Yossi) a bit of a chubby-chaser - leads him to re-evaluate his life. It's not an original plot, and some of the situations in the first film are reproduced here (in 'Yossi and Jagger', Jagger was the object of a young female soldier's unrequited amorous attentions; here, Yossi finds himself fending off a nurse's attempts to win him), but it's a pleasing enough, slow-burning drama, with believable performances, a good range of characters and an ambiguous ending.

Wow... What a beautiful film...

[bikenavy · 10/10 · 25 July 2013]

Wow. What a beautiful film.

So simple yet so... I don't know how to describe it. I watched it with this peaceful relaxed feeling throughout the whole film. The story flows effortlessly. I don't know how the director did it. Everything just seems to work, just like in Yossi & Jagger. It could have been one of those typical films, but yet it works so well that it's special. It's almost like there's magic in the air. The acting is wonderful. Ohad Knoller who play Yossi is absolutely perfect. What a charmer. The film is all about Yossi and Ohad did a fantastic job. He's really the heart and soul of the film.

It's not everyday that I would give a "normal" film like this a 10, but I'd give this a 10.

This film will make you feel so good!

[tomhashes · 9/10 · 30 August 2016]

This film is such a nice sequel to the 2002 "Yossi & Jagger"! The first one had a simple and nice plot, but I had issues with the undergrad-quality cinematography, and despite apparently winning awards, I wasn't very convinced by Ohad Knoller's acting, who played Yossi in the film. This sequel, however, is exactly what I was expecting: great cinematography, a complex but lovable plot, and great acting by Ohad, who really played Yossi well in this film.

Although I believe that it's totally fine that you don't watch "Yossi & Jagger" before watching this film, watching it will definitely help you understand a lot more in the film that hasn't been explicitly stated, like why Yossi would become a doctor and why he decides to go on a trip to Sinai (Sinai?!). This film isn't fully focusing on a romantic relationship like the first one did; instead it explores how Yossi lives after the death of Lior, and everyone of us can definitely identify with some of the moments shown in the film: getting off in a dark room at night, having Chinese takeaway at home alone, and watching mindless animal documentaries. Oh, and having hookups with shallow, petty gay men. Ohad Knoller played Yossi really well in the film; display of emotions is almost effortless, and although you can argue that it doesn't take much effort to play a sad, almost-middle-aged gay man, his little smiles and at times teary eyes are proof that Ohad knows how to play a character well. I have so much respect for Ohad after watching this movie. About his weight: yes, the Yossi we see is not the same one we saw in "Yossi & Jagger", but that has helped the movie delivered some of the most precious messages we have ever heard in film history about body positivity in the gay community.

This film has a romantic plot, after all. The relationship is lovely, develops at the right pace, and most importantly, is believable. That's why I say this film will make you feel so good. It's so good that I hope it is true, and unfortunately that means we probably won't see a third movie in the making - but never mind because it is such a good wrap-up to a great story already.

The review should not end without pointing out how great the soundtrack is - a great selection of songs to accompany the story, and nice lyrics too. Yes, the fact that the film deals mainly with Yossi's inner demons may scare away a lot of potential viewers, but this film is too good to pass up. If you're looking for a slow burning love story, this movie is just for you.

Disappointing

[edwardpeterbaker · 3/10 · 9 January 2014]

Whilst the script and setting where promising, this film left me feeling bored and disappointed. The direction was schoolboy, the casting a mistake.

The actor playing Yossi over acted the awkward nature of his character so much that it left him as an emotionless, yet unfortunately omnipresent part of the film. The reflective scenes were scarcely pensive and unenlightening and the intimate scenes were cold and uncommunicative. At no point in this film did I feel connected with the main characters.

Rarely does a film leave me feeling quite so unentertained, unchallenged and disinterested as Yossi. Give it a miss...

A really good (kind of) sequel

[ciffou · 11 January 2015]

I liked this one better than its predecessor. I think there were more "grown up" "mature" moments, silences that were endearing yet not that forced into the plot. Someone here wrote that it bothered him that just because Yossi was slightly overweight he was presented as repulsive. Of course it is like that when most gay men pray for young lusty flesh. It's the same pressure that women face when media portrays only young top models size 0, have you noticed the men in the advertisement world?. I've even heard people saying that most of the times a fat gay men is almost invisible. It is so with apps like "grindr" and that's what the movie reflects upon but more than that it shows you Yossi's own perception of himself and how he let himself go after losing the man he loved. (I haven't actually met anyone mourning for that long but it is nice to think someone could love you like that).

SPOILERS AHEAD Although I really liked there were no big epiphanies and Jagger's mom didn't call Yossi back for a big final Disney hug, I consider that they were certainly trying to be too pleasing with that ending. Ending it with a "forever" is kind of a cheap "They lived happily ever after". I only needed to see Yossi moving forward. That's all. Even if this relationship doesn't last (after knowing themselves for what? 4 days?) it is good for him to put himself out there and come out of his shell.

I enjoyed it. It resonates with the loners.

brilliant portrait of grieving doctor finding hope in unexpected circumstances

[darilbahar40 · 10/10 · 4 March 2014]

Utterly unexpected epic story, profoundly moving yet never sentimental and never pretentious.... A doctor is healed by his connection with a group of rowdy soldiers....beautifully directed..astonishing central performances...beyond merely touching, truly joyful... Cuts right to the heart of loneliness, dread of intimacy and isolation and even manages to suggest a path out of the mess. All told with passion beneath the surface...moving, funny, sexy, devastating, and all when you least expect it...towering central performances and brilliant cameos.. The best film I've seen in years....absolutely not just for gay audiences as it achieves a remarkable human universality.

It is, what it is...but what it is, is superb!

[peterjohnjnb · 8/10 · 9 November 2014]

OK, so here we go. Cynics amongst us may find it all a little too predictable. The concept is not original and certainly we're going to see allot more of this "ethos" in a move if you like - HOWEVER, the director has brilliantly kept the overall footage quite raw when you think of it and this does create a sense of realism to the movie.

Yossi and Jagger was a valiant attempt and it caught, I think, the emotions of many gay men who don't necessarily identify with wider gay culture. It spoke to the "man" in us if you will.

Yossi struck all the right notes. You felt his pain, his loneliness and you cheered on his ultimate revival - however, it's not a given. Not in anyway shape or form and how it happens is not predictable in the least. Outstanding positioning and an honest, thoughtful script lead to a most enjoyable movie experience.

And even for a cynical old bitch like me, I must say, I very nearly shed a tear...nearly!

A Wonderful and Romantic Follow Up

[bajmba · 8/10 · 29 January 2016]

I rarely write reviews but this movie had quite an effect on me because I could relate to it on different levels.

But first, I've read the positive and negative reviews of the movie and I understand that it can be misunderstood if you are looking for quick "action" and a predictable story.

You need to first see the first movie, Yossi and Jagger, to understand this movie and the nature of gay rights in Israel then and now. Then it was more restrictive and had a direct impact on how Yossi viewed the world, especially given what happened to Jagger.

Now in the movie Yossi, he is experiencing the loss and still feels the restrictive nature of Israel while he was a soldier. But then he meets someone and awakens from his current life when he meets someone. This is what I was able to relate to - meeting someone who wakes you up to life and shows you a new side to life. And more importantly, accepts and loves you despite of (or because of) your imperfections. In other words, you don't need six pack abs to be loved in the gay world.

The movie ended where it should - with hope for a new future.

Excellent low-key, gay romance/drama....

[ohlabtechguy · 9/10 · 1 January 2019]

Loved the acting, the script, the actors, the sets, the scenery....everything. The ending was a delightful surprise as we were all hoping the gloomy Yossi would finally snap out of his 10 year depression and find his Prince. Don't mind the subtitles at all. Loved it!!!!

Pudgy Yossi meets burned out queens

[peru1-595-630106 · 2/10 · 22 September 2013]

A pudgy older Yossi (Ohad Knoller 37) is now a 34 yo doctor-- cardiologist no less. He wouldn't look half bad if he would lose 30 pounds... one kind of likes the gay heroes to look appealing in these movies. I kept thinking well the romantic interest will be fun to look at. WRONG First of all it takes an hour and half to get to the romantic interest and what a disappointment= Four queens posing as Israeli soldiers are picked up by Yossi on his way to a Red Sea resort. The only thing they do is make him look decent in comparison. You know the type burned out too much instant tan makeup plucked eyebrows etc... queens.

They may have been younger and thinner but zero in the sexy department. Too much makeup all those distortions that take away and don't add. All their forced masculine antics looked like that forced and didn't disguise for a second their basic essence.

At first I thought it might be the 4 soldiers in drag doing the singing in the first night club scene (joking). But in any case what were enlisted recruits doing staying at a $500 a night resort hotel?

Some queen must have had a hand in the casting-- a disaster!

Recast this thing and develop the relationship with the gay soldier for more than 5 minutes and it could be a 10. Put Yossi on an extreme make over weight and chin implant.... and get some masculine normal actors for the soldiers. Get the actor who played in Eyes Wide Open.

I give it a three for the basic story which although bit maudlin rings basically true. The undressing should have been done in the dark. No one finds hairy beer guts sexy.

There are lots of good Israeli movies this is not one. Try Eyes Wide Open for gay themed one.

DO NOT RECOMMEND

It's an alright film

[Gordon-11 · 5 April 2014]

This film tells the life of Yossi, the Israeli soldier who lost his love in war, ten years after his loss. Yossi has become a cardiologist, working in a hospital. He is lonely and solitary on purpose. He meets a young soldier, and he struggles whether to let someone into his life or not, just like last time with Jagger.

"Yossi" is very similar to the last film, "Yossi & Jagger". Yossi is basically still the same restrained and solitary man, rejecting something beautiful for reasons only he would know. The pacing is slow, which echoes the psychological state of Yossi being slow to warm up to people who love him. It also touches on healing after loss, and the stigma on being gay, but these themes are not so well developed to become tear jerking subplots. Though it is not particularly engaging or moving, and the low budget shows, it is still worth a watch.

This film succeds where its predecessor failed

[etiennestories · 8/10 · 29 June 2020]

If the original film, Yossi and Jagger, failed to satisfy, this sequel set ten years later more than makes up for it. It is a good depiction of a man who, ten years after losing the love of his life, has let himself and his life go to pot. It is only with a great deal of effort and determination that the beautiful (except for those disgusting tattoos) young solider played by Oz Zehavi manages to break through Yossi's self-imposed exile from life.

Unpleasant sequel to Yossi & Jagger

[jm10701 · 18 January 2013]

Yossi is a sequel to but not a continuation of Yossi & Jagger, and I don't care that this movie doesn't carry that romance to new heights of ecstasy. This is a story of what happens to Yossi later in life; the fact that ten years later Jagger isn't still an integral part of it is both normal and fine with me.

What does offend me greatly is the way Yossi is presented as if his being over 30 and slightly heavier than an anorexic fashion model makes him gross and repellent, incredibly lucky if any man even slightly younger or thinner looks at him without vomiting or at least sneering. Obesity is far too extreme a term, and even overweight is unreasonable. Yossi is a normal size, and he is by far the sexiest man in this movie. It's any other man who's lucky to get him, not the other way around.

The movie's second great offense is Lior Ashkenazi, as Yossi's pseudo-friend and fellow cardiologist Moti. Somebody in addition to Ashkenazi himself evidently finds him overwhelmingly attractive, but not me. I can't stand him. The most disgusting, most infuriating movie scene I've seen in years has him bringing a girl into the bar toilet where Yossi is peeing and trying to work up a sleazy threesome even though Yossi clearly isn't interested.

I know Moti is supposed to be disgusting, as are several others in this movie; but I already know that most people - especially straight men (and, unfortunately, most young gay men, like a smug, insufferable jerk Yossi meets online, and even the supposedly hot but arrogant and ugly soldier Tom who forces himself on Yossi near the end) - are disgusting, and having offensive behavior rubbed in my face doesn't entertain me.

I love Ohad Knoller, and the older and beefier he gets the sexier he gets, but he's wasted in this sadly and annoyingly shallow movie. Eytan Fox laid an egg this time.