The Chosen, based on the novel by Chaim Potok - 8.6 out of 10

The Chosen, based on the novel by Chaim Potok

8.6 out of 10

Alas, this splendid motion picture has passed largely unnoticed, in spite of its undisputable value and the few prizes it has won at the Paris and Montreal Film Festivals and from the National Board Review.

First of all, the cast is led by two iconic, sensational actors, Maximilian Schell and Rod Steiger, both Academy award Winners, the former for the classic Judgment at Nurnberg and the latter for the equally legendary In the Heat of the Night, reviewed at - http://realini.blogspot.com/2017/05/in-heat-of-night-written-by-stirling.html

Kevin Bacon has become famous for a ‘number’, with a game called six degrees of Kevin Bacon, looking at the connections between this versatile artist and other performers in the film industry, but it is Rod Steiger who has the most connections, seeing as he has acted in so many films, over a resplendent career.

In the beginning of this formidable film, Danny Saunders aka Robby Benson and Reuven Malter aka Barry Miller have an unhappy encounter, with the former hitting the ball in a baseball game, in the courtyard of the school, with such formidable force that when it hits the eye of the latter, a potentially serious injury is inflicted.

Reuven is taken to the doctor, offered medical help, his eye is covered and he learns that he will be all right and would not lose the sight in that eye, after which, somewhat later, he would joke that he looks like Errol Flynn, but when Danny arrives at the hospital, the injured party is not welcoming.

Danny was born in a very religious, Jewish Orthodox family and his behavior, just like that of his peers, can seem and be somewhat awkward when in communication with the rest of the world, seeing as they dedicate their lives to studying the Torah and religious texts exclusively.

He does ask forgiveness, although he is not treated with kindness, and we can understand that to some extent, for on one hand, the victim has suffered and was scared that he could lose the eye, while on the other, the boy has just used the bat to hit the ball…and make some rather inappropriate joke afterward.

The two become friends, although it would be a complicated relationship, between characters that sit across an important dividing line, given that their respective fathers do not share similar views, they would actually be adversaries, on religious and eventually political issues.

Professor David Malter is portrayed by the aristocratic, radiant Maximillian Schell and he is the father of Reuven, a distinguished scholar who writes with brilliance and would eventually play an important life before the birth of Israel and he is of the opinion that the religious texts have been Inspired by God and written by man.

As he explains to his son, this is the fundamental difference between him and rabbi Reb Saunders aka the sublime Rod Steiger is that the ultra-religious figure is convinced that God Himself has written the Torah.

When Reuven and Danny become close, Reb Saunders jokes about the perils presented by this intimacy, but he admits that his son needs friends, especially given his outré methods of parenting – he has more or less raised his son in…silence, not to mention a strict, rather medieval if not primeval education, based on traditions that seem so abusive.

Danny would have to follow his father and become a rabbi – they have all done so in the past – while his sister, Shaindel, would have to marry someone who had been selected for her – these are all arranged marriages in that community – when she was just a child…which she still is.

A major clash would surround the issue of the state of Israel, because this motion picture covers the period when the United Nations has been discussing the partition, the fate of Palestine and the creation of the Jewish state, which, counterintuitively, the Ultra-Orthodox opposed vehemently, vociferously and with incredible force and sometimes violence.

There are some clashes between Jewish people who support the birth of Israel and these fundamentalists who think that Zionism is sinful and they even go as far as to compare those in the other camp to…Hitler – hence the clashes and fist fights, with a break between Danny and Reuven.

Reb Saunders forbids any contact between his son and the son of Professor David Malter, because the latter has become a prominent figure for the enemy side, giving speeches and helping with the cause of the would be state of Israel and at one stage, even Reuven becomes involved in the operation to supply guns, ammunition to the Jews fighting the Arab aggression.

Depending on one’s point of view, it seems such a waste to limit the fabulous, extremely gifted adolescent to a life of reading the same texts repeatedly, although the faithful might argue that this is the Ultimate Joy and it leads straight to heaven, Nirvana and Absolute Bliss…

In his Psychological Effects of Religion, the outstanding psychologist, the best expert on self-esteem – author of The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem, among other marvels - , argues that Religion has very vicious effects on our lives – well, in fact for those who wait for the other world, live under the thumb of the all mighty, all seeing Divine Being.

Danny is so capable that when he reads a book in two hours, he assimilates it to the point where he…learns it by heart!