The horrors of domestic abuse -- battered wives and shell-shocked children -- are capable of destroying any family, even one in which the woman is an authority on how to handle such dangerous situations.
One of about 10 features unspooling at the 15th Israel Film Festival (through Dec. 17 at Leammle's Music Hall in Beverly Hills), the English-subtitled "Chronicle of Love" is a fine showcase for the talented cast, and writer-director-producer Tzipi Trope offers easy ways out for the characters or audience.
With two children and successful careers, Nava (Smadar Kilshinsky) and Yoram (Sharon Alexander) are popular at parties and an outwardly happy couple. She helps battered women; the story begins with the temporary rescue of one Jenya (Tanya Sobolev), a Russian emigre with a sadistic mate she cannot escape. While the sadly predictable but believable fate of Jenya unfolds, the focus gradually shifts to Nava and Yoram's crumbling facade and private turmoil.
In a growing cancer of jealousy and paranoia, obsessive architect Yoram confronts Nava about an old flame who has turned up in town. Although she has nothing to hide, he works himself into a state of woman-bashing fury -- and it isn't the first time he has lost control. Sinking lower than many of her patients, Nava herself is barely rescued by Jenya and her best friend.
From the easy way such crimes are covered up -- in the initial incident, Nava's criminal accusations are ignored in order to preserve Yoram's reputation -- to the awful results of not believing that friends or family members capable of heinous acts, "Chronicle of Love" is just short of being relentlessly pessimistic about human nature.
Nava and Yoram separate, but their drama is not finished. While the film builds to a violent resolution, the filmmakers still manage to be hopeful in their depiction of women bonding together against a powerful, all-to-common evil.
CHRONICLE OF LOVE
Maya Films
Credits: Writer-director-producer: Tzipi Trope; Director of photography: Hanania Bar; Production design: Dany Beilinson; Editor: Danny Shik; Music: Nachum Heiman. Cast: Nava: Smadar Kilshinsky; Yoram: Sharon Alexander; Jenya: Tanya Sobolev. No MPAA rating. Running time -- 93 minutes. Color/stereo.
One of about 10 features unspooling at the 15th Israel Film Festival (through Dec. 17 at Leammle's Music Hall in Beverly Hills), the English-subtitled "Chronicle of Love" is a fine showcase for the talented cast, and writer-director-producer Tzipi Trope offers easy ways out for the characters or audience.
With two children and successful careers, Nava (Smadar Kilshinsky) and Yoram (Sharon Alexander) are popular at parties and an outwardly happy couple. She helps battered women; the story begins with the temporary rescue of one Jenya (Tanya Sobolev), a Russian emigre with a sadistic mate she cannot escape. While the sadly predictable but believable fate of Jenya unfolds, the focus gradually shifts to Nava and Yoram's crumbling facade and private turmoil.
In a growing cancer of jealousy and paranoia, obsessive architect Yoram confronts Nava about an old flame who has turned up in town. Although she has nothing to hide, he works himself into a state of woman-bashing fury -- and it isn't the first time he has lost control. Sinking lower than many of her patients, Nava herself is barely rescued by Jenya and her best friend.
From the easy way such crimes are covered up -- in the initial incident, Nava's criminal accusations are ignored in order to preserve Yoram's reputation -- to the awful results of not believing that friends or family members capable of heinous acts, "Chronicle of Love" is just short of being relentlessly pessimistic about human nature.
Nava and Yoram separate, but their drama is not finished. While the film builds to a violent resolution, the filmmakers still manage to be hopeful in their depiction of women bonding together against a powerful, all-to-common evil.
CHRONICLE OF LOVE
Maya Films
Credits: Writer-director-producer: Tzipi Trope; Director of photography: Hanania Bar; Production design: Dany Beilinson; Editor: Danny Shik; Music: Nachum Heiman. Cast: Nava: Smadar Kilshinsky; Yoram: Sharon Alexander; Jenya: Tanya Sobolev. No MPAA rating. Running time -- 93 minutes. Color/stereo.
- 12/8/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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