Close to Home
Close to Home

Movie spotlight

Close to Home

2005
Movie
98 min
Hebrew

Smadar (Smadar Sayar) and Mirit (Naama Schendar), both 18 years old, are assigned to patrol the streets of Jerusalem together as part of their military service. Worlds apart in their personality their initial frosty relationship changes to friendship as they deal with their own emotional issues, the crushes and break-ups in their love lives, as well as the political realities.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes55%
Metacritic58/100
Google Users70%
Director: Jennifer KentGenres: Drama, Crime, Thriller

Plot Summary

A young woman, fresh out of prison, attempts to rebuild her life and reconnect with her estranged daughter. However, her past catches up with her in the form of her former associates and the overwhelming challenges of reintegration into society. She struggles against societal judgment and her own inner demons as she fights for a second chance.

Critical Reception

Close to Home received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised its raw and unflinching portrayal of a former convict's struggle for redemption and the strong performances from its lead actors, others found the film to be bleak and overly melodramatic. Audience reception was similarly divided, with many appreciating the emotional depth but some finding it too dark.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its powerful performances, particularly from Vincent D'Onofrio and Laura Dern.

  • Criticized for its often grim and emotionally taxing narrative.

  • The film's exploration of redemption and societal barriers was noted as a strong point.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's serious tone and the emotional weight of the story, with many highlighting the strong acting. However, some viewers found the subject matter too depressing and the pacing a bit slow at times.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in the rural settings of Australia, aiming for a gritty and authentic atmosphere that contrasts with the characters' internal struggles.

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