Avalon

PG

Released Oct 5, 1990

2h 6m

Drama

List

86%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

78%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

This drama, largely based on the family history of director Barry Levinson, follows the immigrant Krichinsky clan as they settle in Baltimore during the early 20th century. While Sam Krichinsky (Armin Mueller-Stahl) establishes roots in the city and finds a wife (Joan Plowright), his ambitious son, Jules (Aidan Quinn), who changes his last name to Kaye, tries to live the American Dream by opening an appliance store, revealing cultural and generational gaps.

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Audience Member

From the director of ‘Rain Man’ and ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’ comes a story about finding a home for everyone Everybody wants that safe haven and to find a better life The movie like many others focuses on several generations of family immigrants; in this case Russian-Jewish immigrants It starts out in America 1914 in Baltimore then goes through the decades as told by the grandfather of the Tchachinskys Each family member comes from a different generation of rules, traditions, and customs Although it creates a generation gap on several occasions The movie is actually based on director Barry Levinson’s own family history Elizabeth Perkins, Auden Quinn, Joan Plowright, and a very young Elijah Wood Many important lessons are taught here about relatives coming and going, doing things differently as well as adjusting to change It’s actually interesting, there’s a line in here that has stuck with audiences talking about the film but also inserted into sermons and scholarly articles teaching about family rituals Everybody in our family trees works differently and want their own lives, sometimes it’ll bring us together sometimes it’ll divide us This family is so likable with all their distinct personalities even if they don’t always agree with their approaches Sometimes we go from traditional to nuclear to extended The drama is well-rewarded with a collection of believable actors laughing and suffering but doing it together

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/06/23

Full Review

Kris C

I can't think of a movie that is more annoying than this one. It's just one long family yell session that no one other than the writer cares about.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/23

Full Review

dave s

It's debatable, but Avalon could well be Barry Levinson's finest film. Polish immigrant Sam Krichinsky (Armin Mueller-Stahl) arrives in Baltimore in 1914, reuniting with his three brothers and their families. Covering several decades, the film explores the intricacies of family dynamics and is filled with nostalgia, drama and subtle humor. The dialogue is wonderful ("You carved the turkey without me!!"), the period details are spot on, the score is touching, Levinson's patient direction gives the viewer time to ruminate on events, and the underrated and underappreciated Mueller-Stahl gives the performance of his career as the insightful patriarch of the family.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

andrea m

Third entry in the Baltimore tetralogy, after the great plot-focused Tin Men Levinson returns to a Diner-like character-focused film. The difference with Diner is that this is a more polished (heh) movie with a much broader, intergenerational scope. The director is outstanding again in building characters and situations that we are all familiar with, and this succeeds in creating a strong melancholia at the end. The movie never feels like a movie, but more like reality on film. I was always waiting for the disaster to happen, the typical turning point of most plots. But here, as in ordinary life, it does not happen. Despite that, I was not bored, but I can (or may?) see a younger me not appreciating it. Damn, we do grow, and all that's left are memories.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I watched the movie for and international relations essay and it did not disappoint. It is an incredible movie depicting the struggles immigrants go through during and after moving to a new country. The movie is shot through the point of view of a a patriarchal figure, Sam, as he he watches his family become "Americans." This film illustrates the switching of value systems and mindsets and its impact on their once close family. A perfect movie to watch in order to educate yourself on what important cultural values one must gives up in order to reach assimilation in a new country.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Lovely drama about an immigrant family coming to Baltimore in 1914. Barry Levinson directed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/21

Full Review

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Barry Levinson

Director

Armin Mueller-Stahl

Sam Krichinsky

Aidan Quinn

Jules Kaye

Elizabeth Perkins

Ann Kaye

Leo Fuchs

Hymie Krichinsky

Eve Gordon

Dottie Kirk

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

The real triumph of this film thematically is that melancholy and bittersweet emotions dominate. This is not the standard heartwarming immigrant film we have experienced so often.

Rated: 4/4

Jun 18, 2020

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

A marvelous semiautobiographical film. [Full review in Spanish]

Nov 17, 2022

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...benefits substantially from its irresistibly authentic execution and raft of vivid, engaging protagonists.

Rated: 4/4

May 11, 2021

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Avalon remains visually mesmerizing throughout.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 2, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

This drama, largely based on the family history of director Barry Levinson, follows the immigrant Krichinsky clan as they settle in Baltimore during the early 20th century. While Sam Krichinsky (Armin Mueller-Stahl) establishes roots in the city and finds a wife (Joan Plowright), his ambitious son, Jules (Aidan Quinn), who changes his last name to Kaye, tries to live the American Dream by opening an appliance store, revealing cultural and generational gaps.

Director: Barry Levinson
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Baltimore Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 5, 1990, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.9M
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR

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