Although the focus of this film is an Israeli couple, it could be any middle-class couple as the focus point, because this is a film about keeping up appearances and keeping social etiquette and not making a scene. A husband returns to his home to break up with his wife, although walks into a surprise 25th anniversary party thrown for them by their children. This device is a bit of a stretch (that the moment of truth would also be their 25th and there be a party too, however moving beyond this the film is more about the pretense, and the idea of papering over the cracks.
This unfolds really well, even if by most standards, nothing actually happens. There are no big fights or theatrics – which is true to the characters, because the same "on show" motivations that made them ignore their issues, keeps them doing so in front of their friends. Perhaps it is a class thing, but I would probably do the same – and look down my nose at those who instead have a massive fight in front of their friends. The final shots of the film are the strongest, as they open with a silent scene leading into an increasing tight shot – saying nothing but really telling us everything.
It isn't a dramatic or fast-paced short film, but it captures its subject well, staying true to its characters and creating a scene that will ring true with a lot of us in the middle classes.
This unfolds really well, even if by most standards, nothing actually happens. There are no big fights or theatrics – which is true to the characters, because the same "on show" motivations that made them ignore their issues, keeps them doing so in front of their friends. Perhaps it is a class thing, but I would probably do the same – and look down my nose at those who instead have a massive fight in front of their friends. The final shots of the film are the strongest, as they open with a silent scene leading into an increasing tight shot – saying nothing but really telling us everything.
It isn't a dramatic or fast-paced short film, but it captures its subject well, staying true to its characters and creating a scene that will ring true with a lot of us in the middle classes.