Sun-drenched noir, a fight for justice, and an oddly endearing Christmas movie for people who don’t like Christmas movies – here’s my take on the three movies I’ve seen that will be screened at the Jerusalem Film Festival, taking place from July 17 – 26, 2025.
Islands
Directed by Jan-Ole Gerster, with a screenplay by Gerster with Blaž Kutin and Lawrie Doran, the title of the film immediately sends my mind to the famous quote from John Donne: “No man is an island/Entire of itself;/Every man is a piece of the continent,/A part of the main.” Yet the film’s protagonist Tom (Sam Riley) is someone who lives a life that is mostly disconnected – from other people, and from the fabric of daily life with its plans, hopes, and dreams. He’s been the tennis coach at a resort on the island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands for many years, his days are spent lobbing tennis balls at guests or drinking beer with them, his nights in alcoholic oblivion dancing at the local club, often waking up the next morning in a stupor, in some random place – in someone’s bed, or on a deck chair by the pool. As Maria the receptionist tells him, “You look rough, Tom.” Yet he’s quite a likeable and kind character, helping his friend Rafik bring home a runaway camel, or bending his schedule to include a tennis lesson for Anton (Dylan Torrell), the 7-year-old son of resort guests Anne (Stacy Martin) and Dave (Jack Farthing). Sam Riley conveys understated languor as Tom, that does not quite conceal the emotions within. There’s a vaguely ominous feeling and an underlying tension to the film that begins with the first shot of a man lying facedown in the sand, in the middle of nowhere. As Anton shows promise in his tennis lessons, and Tom begins a tentative connection with Anne and Dave, there is a sense that something is about to happen, and what does happen – is surprising.
Tow
This is such a feel-good film, although it will likely arouse very justified anger at a system that perpetuates a cycle of poverty. Based on true events and directed by Stephanie Laing, the film stars Rose Byrne as Amanda Ogle, a Seattle woman living out of her car. It’s no mean feat to dress for a job interview in a 1991 blue Toyota Camry, but Byrne imbues the character with a steely determination and a flair for fashion. Getting a job is a challenge as Amanda does not have a college degree, and her veterinarian technician degree does not seem to help. Even more challenging is finding a safe place to park and sleep for the night. But she navigates the bumpy roads of her life, charging her phone at cafes, and trying hard to maintain a connection to her child Avery (Elsie Fisher), who is living with their father in Utah. The hope is to visit Avery at Christmas. But just as Amanda finds work at a dog grooming salon, everything goes sideways. Her car is stolen, which for Amanda means that she has no means of transportation, and no home. It also means she has no job, because the job involved picking up dogs. The car is found, but the towing company is charging her for towing and storage. Unable to pay, and desperately needing her car, Amanda decides to sue the towing company. Rose Byrne brings a sensitive sincerity to her portrayal of Amanda, as she contends with the difficulties of living unhoused, maintaining sobriety, connecting with Avery, and fighting the towing company all at once. Octavia Spencer administers tough love as the manager of a shelter, with Lea DeLaria, Demi Lovato, and Ariana DeBose as women in the shelter. Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers) is green and eager as Kevin Eggers, the young lawyer who helps Amanda on her quest for justice. Elsie Fisher conveys Avery’s enthusiasm and talent for fashion, as well as the internal conflict of loving and needing a mother who is not always available. Despite the serious themes, there’s a gentle humor to the film, augmented by amusing dog photos.
The Baltimorons
When someone asks Cliff ‘What is wrong with you?’ he answers: “Everything.” And that’s probably an accurate assessment. Directed by Jay Duplass, and co-written by Duplass with Michael Strassner, the film takes place primarily on Christmas Eve, as Cliff (Strassner) and his girlfriend Brittany (Olivia Luccardi) are driving to her parent’s home for the holiday. Cliff is happy and proud as he shows off his 6-month sobriety chip, and yet there’s a bit of tension in the car. He gets a text from his friend Marvin inviting him to a comedy show that night, but, as Brittany reminds him: “You promised me no more alcohol no more comedy shows.” When they arrive at their destination, Cliff stumbles on the stairs and breaks a tooth. There’s a lot of blood, and he needs a dentist, but it’s Christmas Eve. He finally finds Didi (Liz Larsen) who treats him calmly and professionally, despite his terror of needles, and loopy chemically induced flirtation. When Didi gets a phone call from her daughter, Cliff, wandering around the clinic aimlessly, happens to hear the conversation. So there are people who don’t have any plans for Christmas Eve, and people who have plans they possibly aren’t enthusiastic about, and as the various plans deconstruct, develop, and deviate in interesting ways, one becomes better acquainted with Cliff and Didi. At one point in the night-time wanderings, Cliff realizes they are near 34th Street and can take that route, but Didi says no. It’s just not that kind of Christmas movie.
The Jerusalem Film Festival will take place from July 17 – 26, 2025. The full program and ticket information is available on the festival website.
