Ushpizin
User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13

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  1. CarolM.
    Mar 1, 2006
    10
    Awesome! Love this movie! So poignant! Got to get a copy! Can't get the song out of my head, either!
  2. JoeS.
    May 14, 2006
    10
    This movie was superb. A most remarkable portrayal of the inherent beauty of faith.
  3. ChadS.
    Sep 5, 2006
    7
    The filmmaker's unwillingness to go all the way like Michael Haneke's "Funny Games" in dealing with the volatility of unwelcome guests within a pacific household hampers, but doesn't do irrevocable harm to a very unique film-going(or DVD-watching) experience. These two uncouth friends from the protagonist's past are genuinely menacing, so when the inevitable is circumvented by a collective change of heart in their attitudes towards Jewish Orthodoxy; "Ushpizin" ceases to be a real film and more like a promotion of religious ideology, the Hebrew equivalent to Christian films like "Left Behind". For the sake of religious tolerance, however, "Ushpizin" should be seen, even though it fritters away some very uncomfortable moments between the sanctified and the heathens at dinner-time. But really, only a certain Aussie would want this film to end like "Funny Games".… Expand
  4. PhilipF.
    Oct 17, 2005
    10
    Accurate in detail, well acted, poignent story. An inside view of how strong and complete a person's faith can be, and how each and every problem we encounter is but a test of our faith.
  5. NeilP.
    Oct 24, 2005
    10
    Normally I don't like foreign movies with subtitles, but I loved this one. It is a charming comedy-drama that the whole family can enjoy together. "Fiddler on the Roof" meets "Miracle on 34th Street".
  6. SylviaS.
    May 5, 2006
    10
    I loved this film. I laughed, and cried, and was lifted up by the love at the heart of this movie. The acting of Shuli Rand and his real-life wife, Bat-Sheva is superb. The film does a fine job of shedding light on the hasidic community about which there is so much misunderstanding.
  7. patriciab.
    Dec 5, 2005
    10
    Great movie. A touching story very authenticly preformed. I loved.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Jay Weissberg
    60
    An enjoyable seriocomic tale of a poor couple whose holiday-time miracle becomes a test of faith.
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  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    70
    Stylistically Ushpizin belongs to a classic tradition of raucous Yiddish comedy that is easy to enjoy if taken lightly. At the same time, it sustains a double vision of ultra-Orthodox life.
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  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: J. Hoberman
    70
    As directed by Gidi Dar, Ushpizin has a disarming folk quality.
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