REVIEW: Foxtrot

 ★★★½

Life can be a sad and twisted thing. From director Samuel Maoz comes a heartwrenching tale of love, grief, and the trauma of war that translates to audiences on a universal scale. While a powerful story told over the course of three distinct acts, some parts of the film were outshone by others, but with its sharp cinematography and moving thematic undertones, it is still a memorable story worth watching.

The film is introduced with Michael and Daphna Feldmann (Lior Ashkenazi and Sarah Adler, respectively) being greeted at the door by a group of Israeli soldiers who inform them that their son, Jonathan (Yonaton Shiray), has died in military combat. The first act follows the family as they battle their grief, followed by a second act which depicts Jonathan's military experience, and a third act reverting back to the family at home. I can't detail much more without giving away the film's essence entirely, but the end of the first act comes with a twist that is both unexpected and thought-provoking.

The first act was incredibly intense, which is fitting considering its focus was the family's grief over losing Jonathan. However, it was slightly overwhelming considering that as audience members, we have just been dropped into the scene without introduction, but perhaps that was the intent. It was also incredibly slow until the surprise game-changer comes into play. The second act picked things up a bit, and it was by far the most enrapturing part of the film. Jonathan's life in the military residing in an old and sinking container with three other young army men was mesmerizing to watch. It provided a glimpse into the rough and undesirable life that comes with serving: however, the boys make the most of it, as seen with the incredible dance number at the opening of the second act, reminding the audience that perhaps not all hope is lost. The third act is, once again, intense but slow-moving, only now slightly more effective due to our more developed emotional investment in the characters. Nonetheless, one of the film's redeeming traits is its near-perfect cinematography, every frame beautiful with meaning and perspective, and it added a whole new layer to the story.

Foxtrot had faced much controversy for its portrayal of Israeli military, particularly put under fire by Israel's Minister of Culture, but ironically, she hadn't even actually seen the film. The cast and crew have made many statements standing by the film, and Maoz himself stated that if he is criticizing his country, he does so because he wants to protect it and does it from love. As a viewer, I think that completely translated onto the screen.

I think that Foxtrot is also about a lot more than just the havoc that war can bring on those directly participating in it and their families, and that its aim is much more universal than that. This is what still makes it a good film, regardless of any peculiarities. It reminds us to not take for granted the moment we are living in, no matter how mundane and insignificant it may seem, and to cherish those we love, because it's hard to tell just exactly how long we'll have them around for.