Director: Eytan Fox
Running Time: 84 mins
Yossi, sequel to director Eytan Fox’s 2002 movie Yossi and Jagger, is a story of recovery. The eponymous character, played superbly by Ohad Knoller, is a workaholic doctor struggling to find meaning in life and love in Tel Aviv, having lost his lover in the conflict with Lebanon.
Yossi is faced with the demons of loneliness and desperation, compounded by his age and weight being pushed well past their ‘best before’. Unable to address his sexuality with his work colleagues, he must stave off advances from an amorous nurse, and extricate himself from compromising nights out with a fellow doctor; one who is determined to show Yossi a good time, albeit with women. All the while he toes the line of a more seedy gay-scene.
After his depression pushes him to confront his former lover’s parents, he drives off into the desert and to Eilat, where he meets Tom, an openly-gay man who is determined to bring Yossi out of the dark world he has created for himself.
The film’s narrative is simple, playing second fiddle to the exploration of the titular character’s angsty intricacies. The pacing of the film is very deliberate: it takes its time. This is something that can be very hit and miss with films: while it allows deeper delving into the character, it can grind for the audience and come across as self-indulgent (something that damned There Will Be Blood for some audiences). Here it allows us to really broach the world of Yossi, as Knoller’s portrayal is flawlessly pathetic. The pacing suits the simpering, selfish and self-pitying character.
It does make Yossi a very unsympathetic character and there are times when the film struggles to engage the audience. There comes a point where you cannot help but dislike him for yet again shunning a good thing for his moody bedroom. Painfully similar to Forgetting Sarah Marshall’s pathetic lead (though not nearly in the same league), Yossi’s character lacks development throughout most of the film. He remains miserable, and eventually you join him.
However, despite putting up with Yossi feeling like a bit of a chore, the audience is well rewarded when he finally opens up to Tom, a gay soldier played very convincingly by Oz Zehavi. He brings a new life to the narrative, complete with laughs and romance, which you have been yearning for since the opening scene. It culminates in a richly heart-warming scene: the instant when Yossi strips away his neuroses during an intimate meeting with Tom is beautiful.
Technically, the film is strong. Occasional scenes feel redundant, and some play out for a bit long. However, the slow pacing of the film is rescued by the well placed and beautifully constructed shots. The players are all flawless; according to one of the actors they are not paid much for their roles in Israel. This is acting for the passion, and it shows.
Overall Verdict: It is hard not to think the film should have got to the point sooner than it did, but a patient audience is richly compensated. Yossi feels like a confident undertaking, despite moments where the narrative falls a bit flat.
Leaner shots and more rationed insights into Yossi’s personal life would have streamlined the film and served to keep the audience more engaged. Apart from this, Yossi has an important message of openness and embracing new life, and the auteur’s style and solid cast make it a pleasure to watch.
Reviewer: Adrian Naik
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