Va, vis, et deviens 2005

Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: Don't be put off by the film's length. It's fascinating to see familiar history flash by as a backdrop to the equally compelling account of a life spent in pursuit of totality. Read more

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: In turning over the question of what makes a person a Jew -- not to mention what makes a person belong to any society -- Live and Become is worthy of attention. Read more

Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times: The bounty of incident is balanced by knowing humor, compelling characters and a dedicated compassion toward those for whom the search for home sends their head, heart and feet flying in all directions. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: With the secret 1985 airlift of thousands of Ethiopian Jewish refugees into Israel as a historical starting point, writer-director Radu Mihaileanu turns one fictional boy's story into a loaded, didactic drama about survival, adaptation, and identity. Read more

Jack Mathews, New York Daily News: Both a love story and inspirational tale of an individual finding peace with himself in a hostile environment. Read more

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer: A stirring and uplifting tale of racial and religious assimilation. Read more

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Read more

Jason Anderson, Globe and Mail: A compelling example of a work that exposes universal themes by closely examining the story of one life, Live and Become is remarkable for its humanity, vitality and emotional power. Read more

Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star: A sprawling, truth-based tale held together by a remarkable trio of performances. Read more

Maitland McDonagh, Time Out: Read more

Leslie Felperin, Variety: Rambling storyline, some ropey perfs and sentimentality prevent pic from becoming the gut punch it might have been. Read more

Abigail Deutsch, Village Voice: If the film sometimes feels overwrought -- and at once too long and too short -- its subtle motifs and loud silences, as well as the enormity of its subject matter, keep us absorbed until the devastating end. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: It's a lot to digest, and, after a time, Live and Become feels overextended. But the themes will reach most audiences. And the cast, particularly the actors playing Schlomo, are talented charmers. Read more