Review of Foxtrot (2017) by Dennis H — 16 Sep 2017

Foxtrot is a story of unintentional mistakes that pushes life forward, for better or for worse. Samuel Maoz masters the art of calculated time and pace, unveiling a typical yet unique Israeli family and people's imperfections.

In Israel, it is a mandatory obligation for adult men and women to serve in the military when they reach the age of 18, and so it is every family's worst nightmare to learn their child has fallen as a soldier. When two military officers show up at the Feldman's home unannounced, the mother (Sarah Adler) faints and the father (Lior Ashkenazi) is struck numb. Surprisingly experienced, the officers professionally handle this devastated family with shots and medical advice, contrasting the family's complete devastation. The scene is powerful in demonstrating the effect of war on a microscopic level.

Such is the absurdity of life that one's course of life can be so much altered by random, unintentional mistakes. It turns out that the military had matched the wrong man, and the child of the family is alive and well guarding a checking point in Israel. However we will learn that such a mistake of life and death has a much more lasting effect than imaginable, and tragedy sites not flip and become a happy ending.

Many more mistakes surface within the Feldman family, some are from the past yet still haunting the present, others are domino effects of past mistakes. As ridiculous as they seem, these mistakes can be fatal. Should life be lived more carefully or without care for consequences? Should fate by worshipped or ridiculed? What is the meaning of life that is so vulnerable to chances? What is the definition of fairness in life? These are questions lingering after the screen has gone dark.

The cinematography was amazingly done with this simple yet complicated film. The unique juxtaposition of tragedy and comedy creates meanings to the film, while characters are given personality, depth, and history. It is dramatic, entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time. Well worthwhile.