The Believer

[Gavril]

The Believer (Henry Bean, 2001) is a very fascinating movie. I don't know if any of you have seen it, but if not, I recommed it for several reasons. First of all because it is a cinematically well-done with great acting and characters, great storytelling, and everything one could want from such a movie.
But also because it addresses a number of issues that I personally find interesting, most notably in that it deals with a young man who searches for identity and is alienated by the modern world (it takes place in New York, but it might as well be in Europe, I'm afraid), and his various attempts at fighting his growing self-loathing and self-denial.
Partial story outline from a user comment on IMDB:

Inspired by real events, The Believer tells the story of a young Jewish man who is contradicted by his beliefs in neo-nazism. Ryan Gosling (Remember the Titans) plays Danny Balint, a Jew by birth and upbringing, who's ideas about the religion lead him into a world of denial and hate. Flashbacks show the viewer how Danny struggled with his early teachings of the faith and his lack of understanding would result in his decision to be a practicing, race-hating skinhead.

Along the way, Danny meets up with Lina and Curtis played graciously by Theresa Russell and Billy Zane who want to recruit Danny and use his persuasive talents to advance their cause as fascists. It is in his first meeting with this couple that Danny also meets Carla (Summer Pheonix), a confused young girl who eventually befriends Danny and soon begins her quest to best understand the Jews through their language and traditions.

Right, so that does sound rather cheesy, but it really isn't.
Has anyone else seen and enjoyed this movie?

[Susi]

I saw it some time ago. It was melodramatic. *shrug*

I don't recall it being my favourite but I don't recall it being awful.

[Errigal]

I've seen it. It seemed to be a movie about the burden of Jewishness. It was interesting but I didn't relate to it.

[Gavril]

Well, I don't think being able to relate to something necessarily makes it great art (rather the opposite). First and foremost, it is a movie that is good in itself for storytelling and cinematography reasons. But I do agree that it is about the burden of Jewishness.

Originally Posted by Susi

It was melodramatic. *shrug*

I like that.

[Errigal]

Originally Posted by Ljubomir

Well, I don't think being able to relate to something necessarily makes it great art (rather the opposite).

This is true, far too many movies made lately seem to be unable to create their own world and show the audience something they haven't seen before. Movies filled with special effects are ironically the worst offenders. They may have giant gorillas fighting dinosaurs, but the audience still stays grounded in their own reality because they are not made to engage emotionally.

As for The Believer, I ended up not liking it because I felt little sympathy for the title character.

[Ariets]

One of most stupidest movies what I have watch ever

[Gavril]

What makes you say that, Ari?

[Ariets]

scenario and plot

[Cirrus]

I didn't like it either. It seemed somehow surreal and nonsensical to me, but it was perhaps the aim of the movie after all.

[Franze]

I liked it, mainly the final, it´s so special and moving.

[Galaico]

I expected something better, although I didn't dislike it.

The plot is based in a true story, isn't it?

[Ariets]

Originally Posted by Galaico

I expected something better, although I didn't dislike it.

The plot is based in a true story, isn't it?

I guess of some sons of Ariel Szaron

[Gavril]

Originally Posted by Galaico

The plot is based in a true story, isn't it?

Yeah, Daniel Burros.