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Avalon America was formed by people from distant lands who came here searching for freedom, financial prosperity and a new way of life. As immigrants arrived in America, generations of families changed and adapted to an American way of life, often leaving their ethnic culture and customs behind. One of the most shocking changes was in the family structure. The definition of family and closeness of families changed. Extended families consisting of several generations of grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles soon were winnowed down to immediate families consisting of Mom, Dad and children. Avalon shows the challenges faced by one Russian-American family as the audience follows several generations of the Kirchinsky family during successive Thanksgivings and Independence Days. As you gather around the table, share turkey with the family, and hear stories about the past, maybe you will recognize the Kirchiskys struggle in your own family history. The movie opens in post-World War II Baltimore, where Sam Kirchinsky (Armin Mueller-Stahl) is telling the story of his arrival in America. It seems Sam tells this story every year, but the kids never tire of it and new family members get to hear it for the first time. He recounts the Kirchinskys' struggles to adapt to a new land, the way five tight-knit brothers teamed up to start a wall paper hanging business and how they fought to save money to bring other family members to America. Meanwhile, two of the cousins, Izzy (Kevin Pollack) and Jules (Aidan Quinn), are thinking about going into business for themselves. Izzy wants to start a department store instead of living out his life as a door-to-door salesman. Jules is interested in the idea, but worries about the risks involved. Finally, the two take the plunge. As Izzy and Jules become successful, the extended family unit starts to come apart. Izzy and Jules move to the suburbs and live the American dream, but the rest of the family feels left behind. Soon, the distance between family members and newfound wealth for some tears the family apart. How will the family react when tragedy strikes? Barry Levinson delivers a beautiful autobiographical tale. Where do I start? As writer and director, Levinson creates some great dialogue between strongly defined characters and uses subtle symbolism to show how the family unit disintegrates over time. The changing idea of what is "family" and how the new family wants to live is best exemplified in the relationship between Ann (Elizabeth McGovern) and her mother-in-law Eva (Joan Plowright). Ann is tired of living in the family home with several generations of Kirchinskys existing on top of each other and knowing each other's business. She wants her own home, kitchen, yard and way of life. Eva tries to serve as the mother figure to all of the family, often running afoul of Ann, who has her own ideas about how to raise her child. The battle between the two women is representative of the battle between generations. I am also moved by Levinson's use of television to show the shrinking family and new way of life. Family gatherings go from large, ceremonies around the dinner table filled with conversation among participants to smaller and smaller groups gathering in front of the boob tube for a silent dinner. It is a stunning and sorrowful transition. Just as poignant is the family's handling of Simka, Eva's long-lost brother who was held in a concentration camp during World War II. After hearing the story about how the family helped Sam when he arrived in 1914, notice the differences in familial attitudes. The film is full of fantastic performances, especially Armin Mueller-Stahl. His character is the link between the Old and New Worlds, and shows the most dismay that the extended family unit has dissolved. You'll also appreciate his ability to show differences in behavior and attitude as his character ages. Even though he is a successful writer and director, Levinson has never forgotten his own roots. Often, he has made autobiographical films about growing up in Baltimore. Even better, he has filmed them in the city to maintain the authenticity of the work and help the local area. If you like Avalon, check out his other Baltimore-themed films Diner and Tin Men. His newest Baltimore film, Liberty Heights, will be in theaters this December. Grade: A- Director and Writer: Barry Levinson Cast Armin Mueller-Stahl .............……... Sam Krichinsky Elizabeth Perkins ...............……….. Ann Kaye Joan Plowright ..................……….. Eva Krichinsky Kevin Pollak ....................………... Izzy Kirk Aidan Quinn .....................……….. Jules Kaye Isreal Rubinek ..................……….. Nathan Krichinsky Elijah Wood .....................………...Michael Kaye Grant Gelt ......................…………. Teddy Kirk Leo Fuchs .......................………… Hymie Krichinsky Eve Gordon .....................………… Dottie Kirk Lou Jacobi ......................…………. Gabriel Krichinsky Mindy Loren Isenstein ...........…….. Mindy Kirk Mina Bern .......................………… Alice Krichinsky Frania Rubinek ..................……….. Faye Krichinsky Neil Kirk .......................…………..Herbie Ronald Guttman .................………..Simka Rachel Aviva ....................…………Elka Copyright 1999 - WaffleMovies.com |
