Critic Reviews

An exceptional film -- unpacks long-buried suitcases, both figuratively and literally.

Krabbe attempts to stuff too many themes and subplots into the story.

The film is a thoughtful, but by no means somber, look at an issue that might strike a particular chord with Jews.

Krabbé alternates exaggeration with sentiment, but the main characters are relatively complex, and its surprise ending is genuinely affecting.

The only glaring fault of this otherwise fine film is that director Jeroen Krabbe's sense of drama is far too heavy-handed in spots.

Becomes disarmingly warm and even a little folksy at times, but Edwin de Vries' script proves devastatingly deceptive.

Manipulative filmmaking at its most gently persuasive.

The drama has compelling moments and touches of imagination, but it relies more on sentiment than sense in conveying its messages about faith, family, and tradition.

One of those movies where the audience knows the message before the film begins and the characters are still learning it when the film ends.

A well intentioned but uneven and overly sentimental film.