Footnote

PG

Released Mar 9, 2012

1h 46m

Comedy

Drama

List

88%

91 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Talmud scholar Eliezer Shkolnik (Shlomo Bar-Aba) has worked in obscurity at Jerusalem's Hebrew University. In contrast, Eliezer's son, Uriel (Lior Ashkenazi), also an academic, has published many books and received numerous accolades. Eliezer looks down on his son's achievements and pursuit of fame, and so the pair have a rocky relationship. Their rivalry comes to a head when Eliezer receives word that, at long last, he is the recipient of the prestigious Israeli Prize.

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J. Hoberman

Tablet

Everything now in place, Footnote's almost wordless last 15 minutes are exquisitely choreographed.

May 3, 2016

Full Review

Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

At the last... Footnote is so intelligently and deftly made that we are glad it exists.

Jun 18, 2013

Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

It remains painful to live in a world where Jack and Jill makes it into commercial cinemas and this superb Israeli film gets kicked into the underbrush.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 1, 2012

Full Review

Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

Cedar proves he has ideas and talent, but his film is uneven. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5.5/10

Oct 4, 2022

Full Review

David Bax

Battleship Pretension

In many ways, this movie exasperated me. It's almost as if, despite his obvious talents, the director was daring me to enjoy his film.

Mar 16, 2021

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Footnote is a poignant, witty, well crafted film that employs exemplary cinematography and visual metaphoric reference set to a score that soars with lyricism and emotion, setting the tone for the non-Hebrew speaking audience.

Nov 26, 2019

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Georgan G

The premise is quite amusing & dramatic. There are lots of interesting themes & I was hooked. However, my big disappointment was the ending where absolutely nothing was tied up.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/19/24

Full Review

dave s

Joseph Cedar's Footnote sets its sights on academic bureaucracy and, more importantly, the fragile dynamics of family relationships. In this case, the focus is on father and son, Talmud scholars and researchers existing in a passive aggressive relationship fueled by resentment, jealousy, and simmering hostility. Written and directed by Cedar, it is filled with intelligent dialogue and smart directorial decisions. In an early scene, for example, the camera remains focused on the father's face for an extended period while the son gives a speech honoring him, allowing the audience to gauge the father's reactions and resulting emotions. As strong as the dialogue is, it is virtually dispensed with over the final ten minutes to allow the visuals to tell the story, brilliantly cinematic in its presentation.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

nefasto r

Despite some good direction, smart writing and interesting photography "Footnote" got stranded in a couple of passages, and that did not allow me to enjoy the film as I was expecting to do. Nevertheless, with a strong start and an interesting closure, I found the film worthy to be watched.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Subtle, acerbic look at the human condition, with a dash of academia thrown in for good measure.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A must watch for those in the academia or you are into Jewish culture.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This starkly dark Israeli comedy lampooning the brattish egocentrism among academia falls short of brilliance in the ham-fisted final act.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

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Joseph Cedar

Director

Shlomo Bar-Aba

Eliezer Shkolnik

Lior Ashkenazi

Uriel

Aliza Rosen

Yehudit

Alma Zack

Dikla

Daniel Markovich

Josh

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Synopsis

Talmud scholar Eliezer Shkolnik (Shlomo Bar-Aba) has worked in obscurity at Jerusalem's Hebrew University. In contrast, Eliezer's son, Uriel (Lior Ashkenazi), also an academic, has published many books and received numerous accolades. Eliezer looks down on his son's achievements and pursuit of fame, and so the pair have a rocky relationship. Their rivalry comes to a head when Eliezer receives word that, at long last, he is the recipient of the prestigious Israeli Prize.

Director: Joseph Cedar
Producer: Michal Graidy
Screenwriter: Joseph Cedar
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: United King Films
Rating: PG (Smoking|Language|Brief Nudity|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Hebrew
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 9, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 25, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.1M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD

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