Everything is illuminated (2005)Disguised as road trip, this is a film about culture clash, and oh yes, the holocaust. Not all of these elements mix very well, because they are constantly struggling for our attention in the fickle screenplay. Elijah Wood as Jonathan is adequate playing a third generation Ukranian American who makes a trip to his ancestral homeland after his grandmother passes away and leaves him with a picture of his grandfather and the woman who saved his life when the Nazi's struck during WW2. We want to find out what happened back then, but the film is more interested in telling us about the same subject from the point of view of Jonathan's guide, an aging, rambuctous old man. Starts off as being about Jonathan and then slowly develops into a story about the travel guide. Retains some of its secrets. It is soulful and sometimes moving, but never completely engrossing. Similar theme (though completely different subject matter) explored with more warmth and less indulgence in the terrific
Le Grande Voyage. Nonetheless a remarkable first attempt for director Liev Schreiber.
Rating: 3.5/5
