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October 15, 2003

PLGFF 2003 - Yossi and Jagger

The fifth film in my film festival schedule was an Israeli import, Yossi & Jagger (IMDB).

I've actually come away feeling good about this movie, and frankly, I'm not sure why --- probably because the Jagger character was adorable, and the romance between Yossi and Jagger clearly shown early in the movie. As an aside, in the subtitles, they call Jagger by another name, which I'm afraid I've forgotten. They finally explain why he's called Jagger near the end of the film, but in the meantime, don't be too confused when they call the guy you think is Jagger by another name...

Good feelings and cute actors aside, my biggest complaint is that this is an all too predictable movie. I should moderate that since it's apparently based on real events, but I just can't. Exactly why is a spoiler, so I'll include it in the Extended Entry and you can read it there if you wish (unfortunately, that's only a separate section while this is still on the main page --- in the archives, it's all one article, so beware below...). In addition, the story is just too thin. Again, explaining why is a spoiler, so most of my comments are in the extended entry.

Suffice to say, I give it a 6 out of 10, but I think the story could easily be an 8 or a 9 if fully developed in a different way.

****************************SPOILER****************************

OK, so you want the spoiler version: in short, Jagger just as well wear a Red Shirt and be in a Star Trek episode. He's the cute one, full of fun and totally adorable, loved by all, the closet door only held shut by Yossi, his commander and lover who has his closet door nailed shut. I spent the entire movie (well, from the scene with the two of them playing in the snow) knowing that Jagger was going to die in the end and hoping against hope that they weren't going to do something so obvious. Alas, 'twas not to be.

Worse, that's basically the entire movie: oh we're so in love, oops tension in the ranks "you won't even say I love you" (that Red Shirt just started glowing neon), dangerous mission almost over, let's leave, boom! Jagger buys it, Yossi finally says I Love You, even in front of witnesses, visit family, end of movie. This is a Movie Of The Week plot, and at the low end even there.

It's saved by the chemistry of the actors, but just. Given that it's based on a true story, they should have just started with Jagger getting killed and then told the story of how they got together and their trials being together in the military.

My two cents worth anyhow... Posted by abatie at October 15, 2003 01:08 AM

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