Review of Everything Is Illuminated (2005) by Kristi W — 02 Jul 2010

Everything is definitely illuminated after watching this movie. It's very quirky, and I spend a lot of the beginning part wondering where the heck the plot line was going. I'm glad that my curiosity often keeps me watching because it was definitely worth it in this case. Basically there's a Ukrainian family that gives tours to 'rich Jewish people' when they come to find their families lost in the war. The grandpa claims he's blind but really isn't and says he's retired but the dad talks him in to doing this one tour for Elijah Wood's character, Jonathan, anyway. The whole bit about the grandpa's seeing eye dog is pretty hilarious! Then the son loves American culture so when Jonathan, and American Jew looking for the person who helped his family escape the war, comes to Ukraine, the interaction is pretty funny. Especially when he finds out Jonathan is a vegetarian. Apparently Ukrainian people don't understand that!

If this movie does one thing well it is keeping you curious until it makes its point at the end. And it's worth it, for sure.