`The Sky Is Falling

film nearly as meandering as the Tuscan
countryside in which it is set, The Sky is
Falling (II Cielo Cade) stars Isabella Rossellini
(Left Luggage, Big Night) and Jeroen Krabbe (Ideal
Husband, Crossing Delancey) and is based on an
autobiographical novel by Loreriza Mazzetti.
Screening 8 p.m. Sunday, April 27, as the festival's
"Main Attraction" in Commerce Township, it also
will be shown 8 p.m. Thursday, May. 1, in
Birmingham and 8 p.m. Monday, May 5, in Ann
Arbor.
Wandering around pointlessly as it makes its way
to its foregone brutal conclusion, the film revolves
around two recently orphaned girls — Baby and
Penny — who have been taken in by their wealthy
aunt and uncle during the summer of 1944.
Wilhelm Einstein (Krabbe) is the uncle, a stern
German Jew who often appears at odds with the
local Catholic clergy. His graceful non-Jewish wife is
Katchen (Rossellini), the resident madonna who
nurtures her own two daughters, as well as the two
newly arrived orphans.
Both Baby and Penny initially feel out of place.
Lacking the sophistication of their newfound
guardians, Penny especially behaves inappropriately,
even as she seeks approval from her uncle.
What's more, the girls have been indoctrinated in
their worship of Mussolini, and don't understand
the political realities facing their new family.
The couple's grand estate serves as the hub for the
local anti-Mussolini intelligentsia, who eagerly tune
into British radio to get reassuring news about the
progress of the war.

A

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`God Is Great, I'm Not'

pening to the lightly lilting lyrics of "What is
his Thing Called Love?" God Is Great, I'm Not
focuses on a romantic relationship between
Michelle, played by the radiant Audrey Tautou
(Amelie), and Francois (Edouard Baer), a reluctant
Jew.
It screens 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in
Birmingham; 8 p.m. Thursday, May 1, in Commerce
Township; and 8 p.m. Sunday, May 4, as the "Main
Attraction" in Ann Arbor.
A 20-year-old model, Michelle has just had an abor-
tion when the film begins. Although she appears dis-
traught as-she finishes work for the day, she soon lets
herself get picked up by Francois, who follows her as
she walks home.,
When we next see her, she is in the hospital, recov-
ering from an attempt at suicide. Seeking tranquility
and the meaning of life, Michelle begins practicing
Buddhism. .
One day she encounters Francois in the street, and
they begin a three-year, on-again, off-again relation-
ship, defined by both of their neuroses.
At 32, Francois is as confused about his identity as
is Michelle. Obsessed with the Holocaust, he reads
books about it constantly. Yet, when Michelle, observ-
ing his obsession, asks him whether he is Jewish, he

oT

However, when the
Germans raid the town,
the estate is turned into
Nazi headquarters.
Suddenly, the startling
reality of Hitler's agenda
confronts everyone in the
family, and patriarch
Wilhelm must choose
whether to stand his
ground or to go into hid-
ing. His decision is one
that backfires, literally
and figuratively.
The movie is shot in a
style reminiscent of clas-
sic dramas from the
1940s. But rather than
making The Sky is Falling
feel more accurate to its
historical period, this
approach comes across as
stylized and remote.
And, although based
on a true story, the ulti-
"The Sky Is Falling"• Set in Tuscany.
mate emotional impact
feels contrived and hol-
low. We never feel sufficiently close to the characters
deal of time is spent establishing a rivalry between
to be truly moved by their ultimate fate.
them and the Einsteins' two daughters. Then the
The film develops slowly, lavishing far too much
daughters virtually disappear from the picture until
screen time on minor characters and episodes that
the film's crucial final moments.
seem calculated to charm: Italian children frolicking
Despite its well-known stars, The Sky Is Falling is a
in the woods, making coming-of-age discoveries
poorly paced, uneven drama. And with subtitles fre-
about sexuality. It also initiates plot points that are
quently white-on-white and difficult to read, it's a
inadequately fulfilled.
disappointing pick.
For instance, when Baby and Penny arrive, a good
— Audrey Becker

denies it.
prehend.
Nevertheless, Michelle decides
Despite Francois' professed
to study Judaism to see if it will
lack of interest in Judaism,
answer her questions as to the
Michelle signs up for conver-
meaning of life while also bring-
sion classes. When the rabbi
ing her closer to Francois.
teaching the classes requires that
Told exclusively from
Francois attend them with her,
Michelle's perspective, the film
he reluctantly complies.
explores what it is like to try to
Michelle is an avid learner,
enter the world of Judaism as an
but Francois is bored. She
outsider, ignorant of its pervasive
becomes a stickler for the rules,
culture and age-old traditions.
while he has no interest in
Although she buys a book
observing them.
with the title Judaism for
Pascale Bailly, the director,
`God Is Great, I'm Not: A Jewish/French
Beginners and befriends an older
handles relationships in a com-
comedy
Jewish man who teaches her
plex manner, showing different
about the religion, she finds it
shades of attraction, affection
difficult to translate her book
and ambivalence.
knowledge into reality.
By including scenes depicting the difficult dance
At one point, she lights a cigarette from a menorah
Michelle and Francois each perform with their own
that she has mistaken for a mere candelabra.
parents, she alludes to the origins of some of their
Francois suspects, correctly, that Michelle's interest
relationship problems.
in Judaism is yet another phase, and that she will soon
If you're in the mood for a light but wise, charming
move on to something else. When she buys him a
and amusing film, check out God is Great, Dn Not.
mezuzah and, as tradition dictates, nails it to the door-
And don't be surprised if you find yourself still
post of his apartment, he becomes enraged.
thinking about it days later.
A child of survivors, he has learned that it may be
— Ronnie Friedland,
dangerous to broadcast his Judaism, a precaution that
IntofaithFamily.com
the younger, Catholic Michelle appears not to corn-

Jli

4/11
2003

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