Focus

[Rosie]

I'm not good at all at reviewing film but since I've gotten some really good movie tips from you guys, I thought I'd mention this one.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0246628/

This film, an adaptation of Aurthur Miller's novel, stars William H. Macy (one of my favorite actors) as an average Joe kind of guy living in NYC in the eary 40's. His life is pretty normal until one day, he gets new glasses and is said to "look Jewish" by neighbors, co-workers and even his mom. The movie then follows his life's reaction to the Anti-Semitism he now faces. I found this film very interesting, and well acted with a great cast. It's a very emotional film as one would expect it to be but Macy does a fantastic job in portraying this character. David Paymer also does a fantastic job as a shopkeeper who befriends Macy. This is one to watch.

 

[Feraud]

Thanks for the tip Rose! I remember when this came out I wanted to see it. WH Macy is a great actor. The film seems interesting and engaging. I am going to add this to my Netflix account.

One day we need to have an engaging film discussion on the issue of the portrayal or race (or lack thereof) in Film. We should discuss past, present, and future perceptions and presentations of race in the movies.

 

[Rosie]

Interesting topic. TCM did something like this earlier but, it was only African Americans in film.

Being a person who is considered a minority in this country, I am drawn to films like this which depict the lives of people no matter what their race, orientation, religion, etc. who suffer some sort of oppression or discrimination. Right after posting this last night, I happen to run across a movie on cable, Come See the Paradise http://imdb.com/title/tt0099291/ about a Japanese-American family living in California during the second World War.

 

[Harp]

Speaking of oppressed minorities, I'm a native Chicago southsider
and Cubs fan.lol lol

 

[Feraud]

Just saw Focus and liked it a lot! The story, cast, and period clothing were great. I thought the story was a very interesting take on the assumptions of race through one's appearance and the typical ugliness of racism.
Rosie's synopsis of the film sums it up nicely.

This film, an adaptation of Aurthur Miller's novel, stars William H. Macy (one of my favorite actors) as an average Joe kind of guy living in NYC in the eary 40's. His life is pretty normal until one day, he gets new glasses and is said to "look Jewish" by neighbors, co-workers and even his mom. The movie then follows his life's reaction to the Anti-Semitism he now faces. I found this film very interesting, and well acted with a great cast. It's a very emotional film as one would expect it to be but Macy does a fantastic job in portraying this character. David Paymer also does a fantastic job as a shopkeeper who befriends Macy. This is one to watch.