Sippur Gadol
Cinematography:
David GurfinkelCast:
Itzik Cohen, Dvir Benedek, Alon Dahan, Shmulik Cohen, Levana Finkelstein, Evelin Hagoel, Irit Kaplan, Togo Igawa, Ra'anan Hefetz, Hilla Sarjon, Ilanit Dado (more)Plots(1)
Tipping the scales at 155 kilograms, hefty Herzl (Itzik Cohen) lives at home with his mother in the Israeli city of Ramla and is in desperate need of a break. Fired from his hospitality job for being unpresentable and spectacularly shunned from his dieting club for lack of commitment, Herzl drowns his sorrows as chief dishwasher for a local Japanese restaurant run by former Sumo wrestling coach Kitano (Togo Igawa). Exposed to the noble world of Sumo wrestling, Herzl is instantly drawn to a sport where large people are not only appreciated for their size, but honoured and celebrated as true sporting heroes. Aspiring to become the first ever Jewish Sumo wrestler in the world, Herzl must not only gather the support of his three corpulent comrades, but secure expert training from an otherwise reluctant Kitano in order to shake the world to its very foundations in a heavyweight comedy about friendship, respect and learning to love the skin you're in. (Umbrella Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (2)
This is a decent comedy, which however will not make you roll on the floor laughing. You won’t even let others know you’re having fun. But your soul will have fun, and even if you don’t make a sound, you will be quite satisfied with how entertaining this film is. However, the Hebrew language is worse, as its accent terribly distracts me during the most suspenseful scenes. Otherwise, it’s a decent comedy. A classic story, shot in a pleasant way, which does not offend.
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This is not a film that has any ambition to impact the history of cinema in any way, and I definitely wouldn't give it attributes like exceptional, top-notch, or even groundbreaking. I would describe it as a lovely, pleasant, and funny film about the clash of different cultures and above all human nature. The film looks at human weaknesses with understanding and even love, and it tells everyone with a larger or smaller handicap: try to turn your disadvantage into an advantage, it's all about resourcefulness. This film simply lifted my mood with its gentle humor and style. By the way, remember when I claimed that romantic comedies mean nothing to me? This gang of underdogs has my sympathy, not only because they wear XXXL clothing, but because each of them also has a damn good heart. Overall impression: 90%.
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