User Reviews

Greetings again from the darkness. More than forty years have passed since the great Ingrid Bergman portrayed Israel Prime Minister Golda Meir in the TV miniseries, A WOMAN CALLED GOLDA (1982). Fighting through cancer during filming, it was Ms. Bergman's final role, and she won a posthumous Emmy for a performance that left quite a mark on this young (at the time) viewer. Guy Nattiv won an Oscar for his excellent short film, SKIN (2018), and here he takes on a narrow, yet vital window in the term of Golda Meir ... a time when the survival of her country was in jeopardy. The screenplay was written by Nicholas Martin (FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS, 2016).

Under heavy make-up and facial prosthetics, Oscar winner Helen Mirren expertly captures the essence of Golda Meir at a time she was carrying an unimaginable burden. The opening shoots through a quick slideshow of history before settling into 1973 and the escalating conflict between the Arab states (led by Egypt and Syria) and Israel. Despite the presence of some intelligence warning of such, Israel was caught off-guard by the surprise attack, and found themselves scrambling for the next 3 weeks - the period that makes up the core of the movie. Slump-shouldered and chain-smoking (sometimes defiantly), we see Golda making huge decisions between trips for lymphoma treatments. Her decisions would be the determining factor on how many soldiers would die, and whether Israel would remain independent.

It's the level and question of that intelligence that provides the film's framing structure of Golda Meir appearing before the Agranat Commission - a commission designed to render after-the-fact judgment on her decision-making and war strategy. As we witness, some of that strategy involves gut feelings and instincts, yet what the film makes clear is that Golda understands war kills real people - these aren't just numbers in a report. Included in these meetings are the Minister of Defense, Moshe Dyan (Rami Heuberger), Chief of Staff "Dodo" Elazar (Lior Ashkenazi), and Field General (and future Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon (Ohad Knoller). Camille Cotton plays Golda's longtime personal assistant Lou Kaddar, and some of the best scenes are the private conversations between U. S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (Liev Schreiber) and Golda, as she pushes for assistance and support, with Kissinger in a tough spot.

This Yom Kippur War lasted barely three weeks, yet the profound stress of war-induced decisions is obvious in Golda, as is her stance as a tough leader. For her, this did not mean sacrificing human emotions, but rather being decisive, communicative, and surrounding yourself with a capable team ... although disloyalty in her administration is hinted at by some. Golda lived (just) long enough to witness the infamous Treaty signed by Menachim Begin and Answar Sadat, a treaty made possible through her leadership.

The film more closely resembles DARKEST HOUR (2017), with Gary Oldman's Oscar-winning performance as Winston Churchill during WWII, than THE QUEEN (2006), Ms. Mirren's own Oscar-winning turn as Queen Elizabeth. Actual newsclips are mixed in for historical perspective and the score by Dascha Dauenhauer leans heavily on dramatic stringed instruments. A final song by Leonard Cohen caps things off. While it's true that most of the storytelling doesn't reach the level of Ms. Mirren's performance, that performance is enough to convey the high stakes involved.

Opens on August 25, 2023.

Academy Award Winner Helen Mirren really played well as Golda Meir. She got her mannerisms, her wit, her kindness, her intelligence, and even physical posture right. Taking place during the Yom Kippur War, this film goes into detail bout the politics behind the scenes and Golda's physical and emotional turmoil as she leads down a disastrous road of death and pain. The film tells of the politics behind the war like a decent thriller because sometimes less is more showing emotions of people as they listen to the war through radio communications. As great as Mirren is as Golda, it's the script showing a war but not the details that anyone can keep up with. The film can be unbalanced at times showing too much info without giving a clear concise telling of a story. The film may suffer with its storytelling but Helen Mirren is a good reason to watch this movie.

Too minimalistic, it lacked details about Golda's rich life. It left me with many questions and dissatisfaction. She deserves more than just showing her part in the war and the peace with Egypt.

Her legacy is nothing compared to who she was, to what she did, to how she even became the first female president ever. The struggles she went throughout her political career are not only the war. The movie should have been named 'Kipur War' and not 'Golda' since it didn't even SHOW Golda as a whole. Iv'e expected to know her more and have more personal outlook on her life. Either way- I appreciate Hellen and her marvelous acting skills.

I was around when all this took place, I was a young career man with wife and kids in 1973. I remember her well, from the news, but knew nothing of her.

This is not a bio-pic, it covers only a very focused part of her life, namely the 1973 Yom Kippur war. On October 6, 1973, an Arab coalition of Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur-the Jewish holy day of atonement.

Helen Mirren in full prosthetic makeup is almost a dead ringer for Prime Minister Golda Meir. At one point she says she is a politician not a military leader, in her frustration at not getting her head wrapped around the conflict and what they should do. But as the days advance she makes a number of tough decisions after her military leaders present options.

All this was going on while she was battling cancer at the age of 75, and receiving radiation treatments. And the year after a truce was reached, having to answer to an inquiry about the actions she took. She died in 1978.

This is a well-made movie that tells an interesting and important story in the history of Israel. And especially now, in the fall of 2023, when Hamas recently attacked Israel and a full-fledged war is in progress as I write this. Why can't everyone get along?

My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library.

As difficult as it is to review a film like this objectively without analysing the loyalties and views associated with its politics, I'm going to try.

I'm viewing this film as a character study into the psyche of a woman burdened with secondhand grief and guilt. And it works rather splendidly in this regard.

Helen Mirren's anxiety-riddled performance, the deliberately off-putting musical score, and director Guy Nattiv's expert handling of the camera elevate this story that could have been thoroughly dull to become a deeply moving dive into the psychological burden of war carried by those who give the orders that lead soldiers to their deaths.

I could see many people being put off by the movie's slow pacing and lack of triumphant payoff. But I found it refreshingly honest. Politics is messy and is made up of a lot of mistakes. There is no clean victory.

My primary gripe with this movie is the rushed ending. It makes a huge jump forward in time and the events did not feel narratively earned. It put quite a blemish on an otherwise far above average historical biopic.

It's a wartime biopic of the Yom Kippur War (October 1973) from the perspective of Golda Meir, Israel's Prime Minister. It shows her cabinet relationships, connections to close staff, responses to the Israeli military's failures and successes early in the war, and relationship with Henry Kissinger, the U. S. secretary of state.

"Golda" portrays Golda Meir (Helen Mirren) as a frumpy, chain-smoking 75-year-old woman with lymphoma. Her confidante and assistant is Lou Kaddar (Camille Cottin). She regularly meets with Minister of Defence Moshe Dayan (Rami Heuberger), Defence Forces Chief of Staff David Elazar (Lior Ashkenazi), Mossad Director Zvi Zamir (Rotem Keinan), and Military Intelligence Director Eli Zeira (Dvir Benedek). We also meet various military commanders, including Ariel Sharon (Ohad Knoller).

"Golda" unfolds on a day-by-day basis, beginning with Israel's lack of proper intelligence in early October 1973 and through the war that started on the 6th and ended on the 25th. Meir's spirits ebb and flow, but she maintains a decisive nature and steely exterior in negotiations, especially with Henry Kissinger. In contrast, Moshe Dayan appears weak and rattled. Some actual news clips from the era appear from time to time, giving a documentary-like impression.

Helen Mirren is marvelous as Golda Meir. Camille Cottin and Lior Ashkenazi are also very strong. Ohad Knoller is appropriately flamboyant as Ariel Sharon. The cinematography is a mixed bag--some is very strong and creative. Still, Meir's incessant staring into the night and never without a cigarette in hand, even when taking oxygen in the hospital, seemed a bit much.

"Golda" could have provided more pre-war context about Golda Meir; it dumped an undefined woman into a critical national crisis. "Golda" also omits significant war events like Israel's acceptance of a cease-fire in place on October 12 that Egypt rejected.

Many of the negative reviews here focus on the historical inaccuracies this movie makes of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, but the movie isn't really about the war itself. Instead it's about Golda's own personal struggle to overcome cancer, fear, old age, and the many stresses of war to become the leader her nation needed at that exact moment in time. It is a brilliant performance by Helen Mirren that should be enjoyed for Golda's own personal journey rather than for the accuracy of the battles portrayed in the movie. If you put these inaccuracies aside, you will watch a performance worthy of an Oscar and a story of triumph in the face of almost certain defeat.

"Golda," the 2023 film that claims to depict the life of Golda Meir, is a disgraceful work of historical fiction that misrepresents crucial events and characters from the real history. This cinematic debacle not only fails to capture the essence of Golda Meir but also presents a skewed, factually inaccurate narrative that does a great disservice to her legacy and the historical events it purports to depict.

The film portrays Golda Meir, a renowned Israeli politician and the country's first female Prime Minister, in a completely unrecognizable manner. Instead of showcasing her strong leadership and the complexities of her political career, "Golda" opts for a shallow caricature that resembles a character from a poorly scripted soap opera. The script seems to be written by someone with little understanding of the historical context or the complexities of Israeli politics.

Moreover, the film manipulates historical facts to fit its sensationalized narrative. It takes creative liberties with key moments in Israeli history, presenting them in a sensationalized, inaccurate manner that distorts the truth. Critical events like the Yom Kippur War and the Munich Massacre are reduced to mere sensationalist spectacles rather than being portrayed in a meaningful, truthful way.

The performances by the cast are equally unimpressive, as they struggle to breathe life into their poorly developed characters. The dialogue is often cringe-worthy, filled with clichés and melodrama that are a far cry from the eloquence and gravitas of the real Golda Meir and her contemporaries.

In summary, "Golda" is an appalling work of historical fiction that disrespects the memory of a significant political figure and the history of a nation. It sacrifices accuracy and nuance for sensationalism and shallow storytelling, leaving audiences with a distorted view of history. This film should be avoided by anyone seeking an authentic portrayal of Golda Meir and the events that shaped Israel's history.

I've always had a fascination with war time leaders and those of courage and fighting with bull dog spirit... From Churchill in WWII to never surrender to 1980s Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher and from The Holy Land in the Middle East... New founded Israel's only female Prime Minster 'Golda Meir' in the 3 week long 'Yom Kippur War' with its chain smoking coffee swigging leader keeping her cool and holding her nerve against Egypt & Syria's attack on Israel.

Film plays out day by day in the style and tension of 'The Darkest Hour' Golda being supported by her war cabinet and defending their new founded nation from its establishing in 1948.

Also Henry Kissinger played By Liev Schreiber is just brilliant as America's Secretary of Defence and a key ally of Israel and both have this kindred spirit with both of them being Jewish from European countries, shows an understanding of what's at stake for their race

Helen Mirren is just brilliant, not just in looking incredibly similar to its iconic leader but everything from mannerisms and shear determination to prevail and to defend its Nation...

A nervy, adrenaline induced movie that grips from start to finish, brilliant!

Gilda Meir earned her place in the pantheon of inspired Israeli leaders. This portrayal presents a more vulnerable leader in a British production.

There are many English actresses other than Helen Mirren and Judi Dench but Mirren does a nice job.

Perhaps Meir was not the Iron Lady of Israel but her decisions in 1973 certainly indicated a tougher persona than presented here. Moshe Dayan well beyond his heyday as leader of the IDF, is presented as the weak sister during Yom Kippud and some of that is deserved but his loss of nerve seems to be an invention to reinforce the strength of Meir.

What is greatly appreciated is the objectivity of the politics clearly avoiding the now popular but false narrative that the Israeli government was and is irretrievably racist. It also does not paint an unjust or over the top anti-Arab portrayal. This neutral political stance is critical to a fair review of history and marks this film as standing the test of time.

A good film and an addition to historical films that will be respected.

Much of this story-- Golda Meir's handling of the Yom Kippur War-- is well known to those of us who were around at the time. But it's been fifty years since then. It's even been forty years since Ingrid Bergman starred in "A Woman Called Golda." So the story is worth telling to a new audience even if the surprises are few. (Credited under "Thanks" is Zvi Zamir, and for me one surprise is that as portrayed in the movie, he tips Golda off to some facts that weren't known to the public at the time-- and I must have missed them if they were revealed later.)

Helen Mirren's physical transformation into Golda has been much praised, but I can't say I bought it. Her appearance varied too much from scene to scene, and her cheeks in particular were often wrong-- insufficiently droopy. Other distractions include an occasionally quirky musical score and an inclination by the director to occasionally go expressionistic or even surrealistic.

But a movie that treats Israel relatively kindly is a nice thing to come upon in 2023. At the opening, there's a quick review of Israel's history from 1948 to 1973, and that review could be faulted for extreme reluctance to offend Israel's attackers and for ending with an accusation of "hubris" on Israel's part, but it's quickly counterbalanced by the sympathetic focus on Golda.

The other characters are almost props. There's no attempt to make Liev Schreiber look like Henry Kissinger, although he has the voice down startlingly pat. The role of Lou Keddar is a thankless one, because she's one-dimensionally angelic. She is, after all, the source of the lion's share of inside information that the world has about Golda. The actors playing Golda's security advisors include some of Israel's best, but mostly they just recite exposition in an appropriate tone of voice.

If you don't know much about the Yom Kippur War, this is a good movie to watch. If you know the history, maybe just watch if anyway for Helen Mirren and try to ignore the awkward mask pasted onto her face.

I saw it for Helen Mirren. And, indeed, she offers a splendid performance.

I liked , very much, this precise crafted docudrama , proposing a fair perspective about a politician in middle of a terrible war, fragil and the most powerful from members of her cabinet, impressed by sacrifices of Israeli soldiers and unpitifull in crucial moments, using, in wise manner, the relation with Henry Kissinger , admirable acted by Liev Schreiber.

A beautiful film for many profound special scenes, from the metamorphose of cigare smoke to the dialogue with Kissinger in kitchen and the birds on the hall of hospital.

Not exctly a biopic. But useful, for many reasons, anatomy of a moment defining the history of Israel not only as isolated event but as definition of its survive tools , people, reactions, power.

I suppose this might have been a little bit more interesting if I had known more about the 'Yom Kippur" war that threatened the still quite fledgling state of Israel. With Egypt and Syria massing huge numbers of troops and tanks on the borders, it falls to the Israeli prime minister Golda Meir (Dame Helen Mirren) to galvanise her hugely outnumbered population and to work with her legendary defence minster Moshe Dayan (Rami Heuberger) to stave off this overwhelming force long enough for her to convince American Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (an almost unrecognisable Liev Schreiber) and his boss Richard Nixon to brave the threats from the Soviets and the Saudis and come to her aid. What's annoying about this film is the astonishing lack of substance to the thing. Much effort has gone into Dame Helen's prosthetics, however much of the rest it seems to repetitively follow her walking about from place to place - with her famous white shoes - whilst lighting and smoking a cigarette. We know she is ill, and we also see from her frequent visits for treatment that the adjacent mortuary is testifying to the increasing horror of this invasion. However there's virtually no detail as to who she is/was, how she got the job, how her intelligence was attained, how her skilful combination of diplomacy and courage all helped to save her nation from annihilation. It's all just presented in a second-rate documentary style that was as unconvincing as it was shallow and episodic. Sure, it illustrates well the perils of war - but, to be honest, it could be any war where one nation was up against a larger, more powerful, one. To do justice to this story and this woman, it needed greater focus and much more detail. This is nobody's finest work here, sorry.

Golda Meir is one of those political figures who is seen very differently in her country and the rest of the world. 'Golda', the 2023 movie made by the Israel-born director Guy Nattiv on a script written by the British Nicholas Martin, will also be perceived differently by Israelis and those who do not live in this country. Dominated by the performance of Helen Mirren, who adds yet another 'iron lady' role to her formidable filmography, the film will probably not change many opinions or clear up any controversy related to the historical character of Golda.

The film's script is based on documents, books, journalistic investigations published in the 50 years that have passed since the war and which have already generated several documentary films or docu-dramas watched and debated especially in Israel. The film takes place during the 18 days of the war and focuses on Golda Meir's actions and decisions, turmoil and personal suffering. Unlike other films that deal with these events and Golda's personality, her personal physical suffering is also brought to the screen. Sick of lymphatic cancer, Golda Meir was undergoing radiation treatments. Her state of his health was a state secret. In a scene that is repeated several times, on the way to the treatment room in a large hospital, Golda and her companions pass through the corridor of the morgue. As the story progresses, the morgue is filled with the bodies of soldiers killed in the war. In another touching scene, Golda is confronted with the coffins of fallen soldiers brought from the front. In a small country like Israel, the personal cost of war touches everyone. One of her secretaries has a son in the army. Tragedy does not avoid her.

I do not think that this cinematic version of events brings spectacular news. The screenwriter and director chose the docu-drama style. Israeli viewers will have a sense of deja-vu, foreigners who know little or nothing about the characters will get lost in the details. Helen Mirren's performance is magnificent and I can't add anything as all the praise has already been said or written. I liked less the interpretations of some of the Israeli actors (Lior Ashkenazi, Rami Heuberger), where I felt more their opinion of the characters than concern for authenticity. A major role is played in the film by the relationship between Golda and Henry Kissinger, which takes on some of the legends. Liev Schreiber didn't really impress me as Kissinger. Guy Nattiv intersperses documentary sequences from the current affairs journals of the time, but chooses not to recreate any battle scenes on the screen. Government and military chiefs monitor some of the military operations from the army command center. According to the technology of the time, the voices of those reporting and the sounds of the fighting can be heard, but the images are not seen. The effect is dramatic, emphasizing the chaos of war and the degree of uncertainty faced by those making crucial decisions.

'Golda' manages to offer Helen Mirren the opportunity for another great role, from a perspective that humanizes the historical character. 50 years after the events, that war is still discussed and controversial. 'Golda' is the film of an episode of a war that refuses to end.

I'll give higher marks for Mirren vs the entire film. The film was solid. It was a good portrayal (historical accuracy unknown) of Golda Meir, the leader of Israel during the late 40s and early 50s. The cinematography was moody, has an appropriate color palette and had many striking shots. The story followed Golda through the tumultuous Yom Kippur War and how she tried to guide her country from annihilation. Mirren was obviously in heavy makeup, perhaps a bit much, but one can flow with it even with her being in most every shot: chain-smoking. Rather than show battle scenes, probably to cut costs, the film effectively uses Meir's emotional reaction to elicit view emotions. Overall, this was a measured and gentle approach to telling these stories as it was driven by discussion dialog. Overall, it followed a modern approach to the historical drama genre.

They just put this piece of junk out because they knew it was awful. So boring and slow and like the dialogue is like written by a three year old at times. I know nothing about most of this historical figures however I refuse to believe they sounded like a bunch of kids discussing their favorite Dora the Explorer episode. I mean, did they waste the budget on Helen? She looks goofy at times, again, I am not sure if the actual historical figure was anything like this but this movie is so slow and boring and like watching a Lifetime movie level of acting for most of the supporting acting staff. This movie is bad but not even laughably bad.

IN A NUTSHELL: The movie takes a look at the very complicated woman and the new state of Israel she led during the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

The film was beautifully directed by Guy Nattiv, and written by Nicholas Martin.

THINGS I LIKED: I absolutely adore Helen Mirren. She is a true national treasure, earning her the title of Dame from the British Crown. Give her another Academy Award for Best Actress. She's amazing in this role as the Prime Minister of Israel, often called the "Iron Lady of Israel." Viewers might be surprised to hear Helen Mirren using an American accent for Golda, but Gold actually grew up in the USA and didn't immigrate to Palestine until she was in her 20s.

The makeup team also deserves an Oscar. What a tremendous transformation of the lovely Helen Mirren into Golda Meir, as well as the handsome Live Schreiber into Henry Kissinger. Helen Mirren stated that she would spend 3.5 hours in the makeup chair each time she filmed, working on every detail of her face, legs, and nicotine-stained fingers.

Director Guy Nattiv had me within the first few seconds of the film. The shots are picture-perfect. There's an incredible visual of Golda smoking in bed. The camera looks down on her and we hear the sound of bombs as the smoke from her cigarette dramatically rises above her in a cloud. So clever and powerful.

Even the sound effects were noticeably great.

The soundtrack and original score have already been nominated for awards. The song at the end of the film is called "Who by Fire" by Leonard Cohen. He was inspired by a Jewish prayer said during High Holidays, especially during Yom Kippur. The prayer is called "Unetanneh Tokef", which means, "Let us speak of the awesomeness." When Leonard Cohen performed a series of concerts in Israel in 1973, he heard the prayer and was inspired to write the song.

I've been suddenly noticing actress Camille Cottin in so many movies. She's always perfect in every role. The entire cast did an exceptional job.

The cabinet room used in many scenes is an exact replica of the real cabinet used in the Kirya base in Tel Aviv.

The maps used in certain scenes help viewers to understand the geography.

Throughout the movie, we see Golda visiting her doctor often and struggling with her health, all while continuously puffing cigarettes. The cause of her death wasn't disclosed immediately but was later revealed to be lymphoma. She died just 5 years after the Yom Kippur War.

We get to see old footage of Golda and her countrymen. There's one scene that takes old footage and puts Helen Mirren's Golda right in the middle of it. Very cool.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Some viewers might be bored with all of the political conversations.

It would have been helpful if the maps were written in English so we could understand the borders of cities and countries.

Although the times of war were dramatic and terrifying, a bit more humor would have endeared us to more of the characters.

Some have complained that the casting was off and that a Jewish actress should have played Golda. How do YOU feel about that?

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids will be completely bored. Adults who love history will be fascinated by the closer look at the Prime Minister of Israel during the Yom Kippur War in the 1970s.

Talk of death and war.

We see a naked Golda in the bathtub, although all private parts are completely covered up.

We see Jewish prisoners captured.

So many cigarettes.

Alcohol Foreign languages are spoken without subtitles.

We see a hall filled with dead birds on the floor.

Some blood splatters are seen.

!

I think Golda was a bit unfairly dismissed by critics and eventually, given the time of its release (fall of 2023...yikes), became a somewhat "dicey" film to explore. At a time when opinions of Israel are widely divergent and the country yet again finds itself thrown into the international spotlight, a historical drama about one of its most iconic and important leaders doesn't seem to be a can of worms people wanted to open.

For its part, Golda is an excellent thesis on why Israeli leaders act and decide the way they do: they face uniquely high stakes with every confrontation and are tasked with not just national success or failure, but the existence of the country itself. It's not justifying anything as much as it asks us to understand; to be frank, leaders of most of the world's countries have no idea what being an Israeli leader is like. Focusing it on a single defining moment of her life was, as usual, the right choice, as opposed to a clichéd "event-by-event" biopic.

Helen Mirren is truly excellent here; Mirren is one of those actresses whom I sometimes find is beloved in "every" role she plays, so it's hard to actually judge her fairly. But here, she really does excel and disappears into the role completely. Overall, the performances are genuinely good across the board here; I actually really liked Liev Schrieber as Henry Kissinger, even if the archival footage they eventually show of him ruins the illusion a bit.

The film has some interesting cinematography that inevitably makes you feel uneasy and off kilter. It works to demonstrate how a small room of people can make decisions that reverberate and affect the fate of millions. It was filmed and edited in a far more interesting way than it needed to be.

Unfortunately, I don't think Golda stuck the landing all that well. Towards the three quarter mark of the film, the military speak becomes incomprehensible and the stakes are lessened considerably. I don't think it's wrong to ask for a film about a war to um...give us some footage of a war. They do it once and never again and by the third scene of people standing in a room "hearing" bullets whizz by and the sound of explosions, it becomes painfully obvious it was a budgetary consideration. That's fair enough - but then the film's scope could've been expanded in other ways. The film begins to feel a bit too small scale for what it's about.

I also feel the film, especially towards the end, acts more as a "rehabilitation" of Golda's image rather than a film with fully fleshed out themes. What is this movie trying to say? What is it really about? Is Golda, for example, a different kind of leader because she's the only woman routinely in rooms full of men? How? The film sorta of paints pictures of her connecting more fruitfully with the women around her (the typists, the assistants etc.), but never really explores this.

Could Golda's public haranguing and eventual fall from power explored more? There's a brilliant line in the film - "every career in politics ends in failure - that I feel could've been the theme of the film, but it's never expanded on either. As it stands, Golda is better than I expected, but I kind of wish it was more than it was. A fine, entertaining historical drama about a fascinating conflict, but lacking in ambition.

After an hour I asked myself : "is it useful to continue watching this terrible biopic?" I didn't know what to do so my boredom was great ...

Smoking and smoking all the time, clouds of smoke permanently that's what I'll keep in mind. Are cigarettes manufacturers sponsors ? This historical period was so intense and so rich I can't imagine dramatic Kippour war breaking news shabbily summarized in this pauper film. Too bad for poor Dame Helen Mirren.

Well known and huge personalities like Moshe Dayan or Henry Kissinger became so pale, so inconsistent ... what a pity and sadness for history lovers ! Actors and the movie staff they all seem to get annoyed as well as viewers at the very least.

Well, after writing this comment I'm back to the movie. Please wish me good luck.

Please discount all the snide comments by critics about Helen Mirren's prosthetics. Golda is the most underestimated film and Mirren's the most underestimated performance I have encountered in decades of move watching. Mirren's performance is an act of homage- you forget that it is Mirren- what you see is Golda. She is right up there with Philip Seymour Hoffman's best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Capote. What Meir was going through during the Yom Kippur war is not spelled out- it is shown. The dialogue captures the crisp, spare way that Israelis talk. Short sentences that are direct and unqualified. Forget the petty, clever putdowns and see this remarkable movie for yourself.

Without her prescence, this would have been a run of the mill docu drama. Even then, it turns out to be interesting rather than truly entertaining, certainly good enough for those who like a movie based on true historical events. And this is what it is, based on the event of the brief Yom Kippur war of 1973. There is no exploration of Golda Mier's personal journey to becoming the first female PM of the state of Israel, other than a a brief reminisence of her as a young Jew in Ukraine, whose family is on occassion forced to hide from the murderous rampages of Russian Cossacks in search of 'entertainment'.

How accurate is it? According to a number of reviews here from reviewers who seem to be knowledgable on the subject, it is accurate.

The movie has a lot of mistakes, if you want to make a movie about real events you have to be honest with what actually happened, Israel did not win this war and Egypt just surrendered at the ene & negotiated, what is this unjustified need in the American cinema to always show that the US & Isreal are the greatest powers & super heroes of all times😄. If you want to do that just do a superheroes comic movie, dont make a movie about one of the most important wars in history & fabricate the real story. Honestly it could have been a great movie but its boring, dark & the picture was not that good.

"The only man in my cabinet." David Ben-Gurion praising Golda Meir

Aided by an accomplished cast that includes Liev Schrieber as the redoubtable Henry Kissinger, whose secretary of state is also as brilliant as history has shown him, this docudrama, Golda, draws us into the machinations of a cloistered foggy war. It would be difficult to fictionalize the drama of fall 1973, when Egypt and Syria, seeing Israel becoming complacent after its victory over the Arabs in 1967, starts the Yom Kippur War to gain back The Golan Heights and The Sinai Peninsula.

What's new is Arab support by Russia, putting The US in a precarious position as a supporter of Israel and yet a customer for Arab oil. The moral ambiguity of the situation dogs USA to this day.

"Golda" is a biopic and docudrama from Israel's point of view and that of Golda Meir (Helen Mirren), Israel's 4th prime minister.

Director Guy Nattiv and writer Nicholas Martin keep the drama centered on Mirren, who interprets The Iron Lady with uncompromising integrity and rough beauty to let us know Meir was everything legend had of her, and more. She's a lady who agonizes over every soldier lost to the war yet barks, "Teach our enemies a lesson they'll never forget."

From the bun in her hair to chain smoking, Golda is a walking contradiction of smarts and weaknesses. Mirren keeps her eyes on Golda's subjects with piercing focus to make even the self-reliant Henry Kissinger uncomfortable. Her secret operations for lymphoma are emblems of her private life of suffering that promise she won't live past 80.

Just as Christopher Nolan did with Churchill in Dunkirk, while we all can learn the facts from historical accounts, little else can be as informative and insightful as a well-made docudrama.

And that's what Golda is!