“Everything is Illuminated:” A Lesson from the Past

“Everything is Illuminated” illustrates the journey of Jonathan Safran Foer’s search for the woman who saved his grandfather. The film portrays the humorous, but moving tale of discovery and illumination in approximately 106 minutes. The rating of the film is PG13, so the violence, language, and sexual content are moderate, but some scenes may disturb the viewer. For example, there is a discomforting scene of execution in which the film places the viewer as the victim.  The juxtaposition of the comical tone in the beginning to the realization of a wrenching end adds a unique sense to the film.            

            Previous critics of the film offer raving reviews. Claudia Puig of USA Today remarks, “A movie with wit, warmth, and unabashed emotion” (Everything).  Ebert and Roeper offer an equally positive review of the “Everything is Illuminated.” I agree whole-heartedly with the previous reviews of the critics. “Everything is Illuminated” embodies a film with such unique perspective and emotional triumph. Only after watching the film, can one honestly evaluate because “Everything is Illuminated” provides a personal experience for the viewer that is unlike any film associated with the Holocaust.

            “Everything is Illuminated” takes place in Ukraine whose culture provides a contrast to the Jewish culture represented by Foer. The film represents Live Schreiber’s first cinematic debut as a director. However, it is important to note that the Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel is the base for the movie. The film may not include every chapter of the novel, but it provides the same overwhelming sensations experienced by the reader in the novel. Schreiber’s representation does not stain the artistic portrayal of Jonathan Safran Foer.

            The film chronicles the journey of Jonathan Safran Foer, Alex Perchov, Alex’s grandfather, and Sammy Davis Jr. Jr., the officious seeing-eye bitch through the Ukraine countryside to find the shtetl of Trachimbrod. The story lures the viewer into the extraordinary lives of two unlikely companions who discover who they are in the search of the woman who saved Foer’s grandfather. The cast includes the inspiring Elijah Wood and Eugene Hutz who capture the tenacity and eloquence of their characters. Hutz’s spot-on portrayal of Alex Perchov leaves the viewer in fits of laughter throughout most of the film. Wood’s character Jonathan Safran Foyer represents the earnestness and decency of the human spirit.  A certainty in the actors’ representations of the characters exists. As the movie progresses the actors immerse themselves into full character, and the viewer forgets that they are only representations, not the actual people.

            Schreiber’s directorial debut stuns the viewers with the poignancy and honesty of the film. The imagery presented in the film is filled with the vibrancy of life, which appears to be a main theme. Also, a lot of the movie contains subtitles that lend itself to a more accurate film. The film ends with a remarkable realization about a truth of life and a realization that every individual contains a characteristic of someone else.