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Movies / On DVD / Ushpizin
Ushpizin

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Ushpizin (2005)

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Reviews Counted:60

Fresh:56

Rotten:4

Average Rating:7.4/10

Consensus: Ushpizin offers a rare and warmly intimate look into ultra-Orthodox Jewish culture.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for mild thematic elements.

Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Oct 19, 2005 Limited

Box Office: $1,381,814

Synopsis: A heartwarming and humorous Israeli drama set in the customarily closed world of ultra-Orthodox Jews, Ushpizin is the story of Moshe and Malli, a married couple, who are suffering through a... A heartwarming and humorous Israeli drama set in the customarily closed world of ultra-Orthodox Jews, Ushpizin is the story of Moshe and Malli, a married couple, who are suffering through a financial crisis. Naturally they pray for help, but instead of a miracle, two suspicious strangers with criminal pasts appear on their doorstep. The couple believes their guests were sent to them by God as a test of faith. The film is reportedly the first made by members of the Israeli ultra-Orthodox community. --© Picturehouse Entertainment [More]

Starring: Shuli Rand, Michal Bat Sheva Rand

Starring: Shuli Rand, Michal Bat Sheva Rand

Director: Gidi Dar

Director: Gidi Dar
Studio: Picturehouse

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Apr 4, 2006

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Ushpizin
  • Winner of the 2004 Best Actor award at the 2004 Israeli Film Academy for writer-star Shuli Rand, Ushpizin is a heart warming and light hearted look at the daily lives of ultra-Orthodox Jews learning, living and loving in modern-day Israel. Following the story of a family facing hardships, they must rely on their faith for miracles to happen during the holiday season. Inspiring, heartwarming and uplifting, Ushpizin is a critically acclaimed film that regardless of faith or religion, everybody can enjoy.
  • Source: Warner Home Video
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Ushpizin

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    Reviews
    Tomatometer Critic Review Category
    tomato
    3/4

    Jordan Hiller

    An orthodox Jew will identify and thereby raise the level of the movie to something beyond the temporal film experience

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 02 2007 09:04 AM

    Bangitout.com

    tomato
    4/5

    Anton Bitel

    Dryly funny and richly humane, Ushpizin marries biblical simplicity to secular banality to depict an everyday miracle of devotion rewarded.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 15 2007 04:00 AM

    Channel 4 Film

    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 30 2006 05:30 AM

    Los Angeles Daily News

    tomato
    4/5

    Jim Lane

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 12 2006 03:15 AM

    Sacramento News & Review

    tomato
    3/5

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 01 2006 03:47 AM

    Empire Magazine

    N/R

    Peter Bradshaw

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 18 2006 03:50 AM

    Guardian [UK]

    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 22 2006 03:16 AM

    BBC

    tomato

    Urban Cinefile Critics

    Ushpizin is engaging, entertaining and has something to say about us humans, through the prism of discovering %u2013 or re-discovering %u2013 the importance of faith, and the strength it can impart. Especially under duress.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 18 2006 10:22 PM

    Urban Cinefile

    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 09 2006 03:16 AM

    Time Out

    tomato
    B+

    Marc Mohan

    In addition to providing a fascinating, agenda-free look at an unseen way of life, the film presents a lesson that should be welcome among people of any faith or none at all.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 20 2006 04:37 PM

    Oregonian

    tomato
    3/4

    Larry Ratliff

    Devout and delightful. That's a rare one-two punch for a feature film. Ushpizin pulls it off.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 19 2006 09:31 AM

    San Antonio Express-News

    tomato
    3.5/4

    Jeff Vice

    The film provides a valuable glimpse into the religious practices of ultra-Orthodox Jews living in Jerusalem. But it's also a cleverly plotted film, which, refreshingly, also features a few welcome comic elements.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 06 2006 04:48 PM

    Deseret News, Salt Lake City

    tomato
    3.5/5

    Kent Turner

    The type of well-written and thoughtful family film that some may have been clamoring for since the hugely successful and hugely formulaic My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 03 2006 03:30 PM

    Film-Forward.com

    splat
    2.5/5

    Pete Croatto

    has educational value, but it's the wrong kind

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 31 2005 01:18 PM

    Filmcritic.com

    tomato
    3.5/5

    Marc Savlov

    The film rests squarely on the backs of Rand and his wife, who snatches the spotlight from her professionally trained husband in her acting debut.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 31 2005 03:47 AM

    Austin Chronicle

    tomato
    2.5/4

    Duane Dudek

    Sweet and satisfying.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 24 2005 03:45 AM

    Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

    splat
    2.5/4

    John Beifuss

    At once alien and familiar: part Old World folk tale, part inspirational sitcom.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 20 2005 11:47 AM

    Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

    tomato
    9/10

    Jack Garner

    The award-winning Israeli film Ushpizin offers both an enlightening look at Orthodox Jewish life in Jerusalem, as well as a warm and witty tale of belief and miracles, for believers and non-believers alike.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 16 2005 04:59 PM

    Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

    tomato
    3/4

    Phil Villarreal

    Fervent without edging over into preachiness, the film examines the humor that can be found in the lives of the bushy-bearded, curly-sideburns set who live by a strict interpretation of the Torah.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 15 2005 10:04 AM

    Arizona Daily Star

    tomato

    Jean Lowerison

    Explores a world most of us know little or nothing about, and does it respectfully.

    Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 10 2005 03:58 AM

    San Diego Metropolitan

     
     
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