Visually controlled, emotionally precise and dramatically intricate, Keren Yadaya's Or (My Treasure) combines uncompromising realism with compassionate storytelling. Winner of the 2004 Cannes Film Festival Camera D'Or for best debut film, Or is the work of an "uncommonly sensitive" filmmaker who delivers "walloping irony" (Time Out) without resorting to audacious showmanship or self-conscious technique. Or (Dan Ivgy), a pretty and popular Tel Aviv high school student, works nights at a neighborhood restaurant while taking her first tentative steps out of innocence and into first love. But Or's real full-time job is looking after her mother Ruthie (Ronit Elkabetz - Late Marriage). After 20 dehumanizing years of curbside prostitution, Ruthie's survival instincts have begun to deteriorate, and it's up to Or to see that mother and daughter don't both wind up on the street together. Or's love, loyalty and resourcefulness are put to the test as Ruthie's compulsive self-destructiveness keeps driving her back into prostitution. As the cruel realities of marginalized city life multiply, Or is forced to choose between her mother's bottomless needs and having an uncorrupted life of her own. A harrowing urban chronicle and a subtle coming of age journey, Or is a truly modern tragedy that plays out inside dark apartment blocks, under cold neon lights and in shadowy back alleys. Yedaya's graceful directorial restraint and Dana Igvy's and Ronit Elkabetz' "inflicting performances" (NY Post) gives Or an intimacy that sidesteps preachy social outrage and knee jerk moralizing, while savagely indicting street prostitution as the degrading modern-day slavery that it is.
A**"
I like even though the ending was unfavorable.
This story had heart and soul and a real sense of family. The relationship between mother and daughter was well developed in a way. I can see the reasoning behind both characters' actions throughout the story. But it was a little unclear of why they were in the situation they were in, and why they didn't do something to remedy it. I didn't particularly like the choices the characters made near the end of the movie, but not all stories are happy and not everyone makes the right choices. At least, the choices they made in this movie were backed by actions that had occurred. The other two movies I reviewed today there was no real reason or point to the decisions the characters make, and in this one there are. I enjoyed the movie and would recommend it to a lot of people. Some of the acting is less the stellar but after all it is an indy film. But I can see why it did well at festivals.
T**R
Don't waste your time
Soooo very, incredibly, unrelentingly, depressing and yet boring. Slow paced, somewhat poorly acted. Do yourself a huge favor and don't waste precious moments of your limited lifespan watching this.
B**E
It's a Keeper!
I LOVE this dress. I am 4'10" tall so for me this top is a dress. The Large fit perfectly and was so cute! It was amazing to me that a boxy shape with no real sleeves could look so adorable, but it does. Maybe it's the collar which really make the dress. I thought the material would be a little heavier but in the heat of the summer months I will appreciate the lightness of this top. It covers the top of my arms, also, which is a big plus since I don't like them. (my arms). I am so happy Mordenmeiss loves pockets the way I do because these are spectacular pockets. Don't miss this one ladies, it's a keeper.
C**S
life in crisis
Moving story about life in crisis between a daughters love for her mother and trying to get her off the streets and falling into
L**E
A Solid, Honest, Sparse Account of Real Life
Four stars (with flaws) for it's unapologetic exploration of a difficult subject and the real world implications of the choices available to these women. It was well paced, believable and troubling. The only aspect about it that gives me pause was how it glossed over the motivations of the characters without offering any background information as to how they got there. I understand that the girl struggled with self image (a byproduct of being raised by a prostitute) yet she was far more functional, capable and mature than her mother. Her lack of self seemed out of character with what was portrayed otherwise. I accept that perhaps the point of it is to suggest that this trait trumps all others. I just feel like either I missed something or they didn't give enough information. Still, a very solid portrayal of a universal reality of life. The film remains neutral to the issues and respects the viewer enough to let them decide what they should feel about it.
M**D
It's a man's world, unfortunately for women.
This movie brings to the surface the life of a young woman and her prostitute mother who has been downtrodden by a hypocrite society. Sex sells and yet the women who supply that sex are chastised, abused, and victimized. It is not preachy but just a very real and sad story about Or a young woman trying her best to get out of the cycle of poverty and abuse that eludes her. I love the subtle way that this movie exposes societal ills while showing the nuances of Israeli psyche and how they live their daily lives. I highly recommend this movie.
R**N
hmmm
needs more boobs or something. I suppose if you are a woman you might enjoy the story of this young women coming of age. She is forced to help her prostitute mother as she goes along. I was very bored but the gf like it.
K**N
Buy it now
This movie is excellent movie enjoy but you need a strong stomic to watch so be a wear of the movie it is very sexuality not for kids at all do not bring kids only adults you need a good head to focus enjoy no girl friend recommended enjoy if girls watch it remember its only a movie not real life . Nutty strong
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