Footnote
Footnote

Movie spotlight

Footnote

2011
Movie
102 min
Hebrew

Jerusalem, Israel. Professors Eliezer and Uriel Shkolnik, father and son, have dedicated their lives to the study of the Jewish scriptures. Eliezer is a stubborn and methodical scholar who has never been recognized for his work; Uriel is a rising star, someone admired and praised by his colleagues. The fragile balance that has kept their personal relationship almost intact is broken in an unexpected way by a simple phone call.

Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes91%
Metacritic77/100
Google Users80%
Director: Joseph CedarGenres: Drama, Comedy

Plot Summary

A Talmudic scholar is informed that he is to receive the prestigious Israel Prize for his life's work, only to discover that the award has been mistakenly given to his estranged son. This ironic twist forces the two men, who have a deeply strained and competitive relationship, to confront their issues as they navigate the bewildering bureaucracy of the prize committee.

Critical Reception

Footnote received widespread critical acclaim, with praise directed at its sharp wit, compelling performances, and insightful exploration of academic rivalry and familial relationships. Critics lauded its blend of humor and drama, often comparing its nuanced character studies to the works of Woody Allen.

What Reviewers Say

  • A brilliantly sharp and often hilarious examination of academic ambition and father-son conflict.

  • Features outstanding performances that anchor the film's intellectual and emotional core.

  • Navigates complex themes with intelligence and a surprising amount of warmth.

Google audience: Google users generally praise 'Footnote' for its intelligent humor and thought-provoking portrayal of family dynamics within an academic setting. Many enjoyed the performances and the unique story, though some found the pacing a bit slow at times.

Awards & Accolades

Won Best Screenplay at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 84th Academy Awards.

Fun Fact

The film's director, Joseph Cedar, was inspired to write "Footnote" after overhearing a conversation at a wedding between two professors, one of whom was lamenting the perceived lack of recognition for his own scholarly contributions.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
r96sk

r96sk

<em>'Footnote'</em> didn't really do it for me. The slow start was hindering early on, specifically that very first scene where we just linger on Eliezer and Uriel; I get why, it just didn't work in getting me hooked. I found the characters...