Past Life [Sub: Eng]

The drama seems overwrought at times, even cliché ...

While so many films have examined the war and the Holocaust that took such an egregious toll on the Jewish community, Past Life looks at it from a novel perspective, examining the possible "crimes" committed by a survivor.

To Nesher's credit, "Past Life" never feels exploitative - a chief danger in mining the Holocaust for drama. But it also never fully coheres.

Nesher has adapted a real-life memoir - Baruch Milch's "Can Heaven Be Void?" - into an overly contrived dramatic scenario. It's also something of a tease.

Overstuffed and occasionally overwrought, the film is engrossing nonetheless, with a satisfying pace as Nesher juggles the numerous narrative elements.

A striking and thought-provoking picture.

As Sephi and Nana, actresses Joy Rieger and Nelly Tagar present their characters' contrasting personalities beautifully, sparring like real sisters. A fine supporting cast adds texture as does Yishai Steckler's soundtrack.

Rieger and Tagar capture the intimacy and competitive sniping of siblings, and they're each stunning in opposite roles.

A compelling character drama that doesn't need the gimmicks and tricks of a thriller to keep the audience invested.

Muted, not wholly satisfying ghosts-of-the-Holocaust-live-on mystery that benefits from having a fresh direction to approach it from.

[Sephi] projects a formidable sense of determination... [Nana's] stinging barbs and memorable put-downs make poetry out of something as mundane as sibling rivalry.

A sober-minded Israeli film about sibling rivalry, secrets from the past, and the quest to express oneself creatively.