Everything is Illuminated

Starring: Elijah Wood, Eugene Hutz
Directed by: Liev Schreiber
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
2005

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A young man (Elijah Wood) travels to the Ukraine in search of a woman who saved his grandfather during World War II. The trip takes unforeseen twists, and ultimately results in a surprising discovery.

Review:

Tim: I really like Liev Schreiber, so I was pretty excited about seeing his directorial debut. I'm also a fan of Elijah Wood, so I was pretty happy to see Schreiber cast him in the lead role. The film is just quirky enough to offer something new to the audience. However, the movie pulls its punches, never delivering the final emotional knockout blow. The film is part road trip movie, part family history, part comedy, and part drama. However, instead of all gelling together, the film feels a bit disconnected.

Elijah Wood does a good job in the lead role. He mostly just needs to stand or sit around looking stoic, but he does this quite well. I was surprised at how little was required of him. Now, to be fair, the role did require some effort at the subtleties, and Wood does pull this off. I also enjoyed seeing Eugene Hutz in his very funny role. His broken English gives the film a very funny quality.

I had a difficult time getting emotionally involved in the story. I understand the quest Wood's character finds himself on, but I thought the movie could have done a better job laying the foundation for the purpose of this journey. Without this, the whole movie feels a bit superfluous.

While Everything is Illuminated is a flawed film, it is still an ambitious, decent effort by Schreiber. I wish the film had been a little more accessible, and less focused on trying to forge its own path (always a good idea, except, in this case- it is done only for the sake of being different). I imagine most people will like this movie more than I did, but I have to stick to my guns here.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 5.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Bobby, Green Street Hooligans, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind