Yossi And Jagger Reviews

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Budget cinema at its best

This is sort of a remake of the last episode of Blackadder Goes Forth, but with no jokes and an extra twist. We spend a day in an Israeli army outpost following the two lead characters struggling to synchronise their expectations from each other. Certainly not a stereotypical setting for a gay romance. Considering that the film was probably shot in a day with no budget, it is fantastically smooth and effortless as the tension builds towards the final 'death charge' scene. All characters are wonderfully cold and emotionless, what an unusual treat, culminating in the last scene, when Yossi meeets Yagger's family for the first time - at Yagger's funeral and as a complete and ignored outsider.

Energetic, sexy, haunting gay love story between two Israeli soliders

A (slighly short) love tale between two Israeli soliders in the (cold) north of the country. success of style over substance, this is nonetheless a competent look at the nature of gay relationship in the army, and the pain of lost. Overall, energetic, sexy, haunting and unpredictable tale of love. Well- captures the uneasy subject of gay love in the. Would see it again!

Not to be Missed

For once, a gay film that has expert cinematography and superb acting. It is too short, but that's a testament to just how good it is: you won't want it to end. The love story between Yossi and Jagger will haunt you long after you've seen this film.

A small gem

One of the best gay themed films I've seen though only just over an hour long. A good story well told, with excellent performances and characters like real people. A familiar enough scenario, with two gay lovers, one flamboyant and happy with his sexuality, the other more conflicted and reticent about open display of intimacy. But the setting, a remote border outpost between Israel and Lebanon and circumstances, compulsory military service, make this something special. Without any explicit sex or nudity the film simply shows two men in love under very difficult circumstances, trying to make their way through a stressful situation and be together. Yossi loves Jagger but finds it hard to say so. Meanwhile Jagger wants a real commitment from Yossi and to bring their relationship into the open. How this is resolved is far removed from trite Hollywood endings, so touching you'll find yourself thinking about the film days later. Music adds much to a film that doesn't waste a word or a shot. Handheld camera work lends a naturalistic documentary feel. Though it involves the Israeli army politics & religion don't figure, and the 'enemy' remains unseen. No big drama and action sequences but a taste of what war is really like, mostly sitting around passing the time with occasional bursts of lethal danger. I want to buy this one.

wonderful!!

For a short film it gives you everything a full length movie should do. The idea of an Israeli/Englis subtitled film wasn't that inspiring but I'm so glad I rented it. Everything about it just works - you feel the joy, the love. the pain of the characters - and not just the leads.

'Jagger' has a face that conveys so much that language really didn't always matter. I was dissapointed it was so short, but it told it's story so well that no more was really needed. Rent it, you will not regret it

[Highly rated reviewer]

Short and Sweet

Nice little film, well made and well acted. Interesting that it doesn’t show you a growing relationship between the main characters (no furtive glances, no awkward first encounters), but one that already exists – kind of throws you right into things from the start. Although the film is very short at just over an hour it still manages to pack a good story in and some good character development (although an extra 30 minutes would probably have been useful). Moving, enchanting and thoroughly recommended.

out In the army now

What sets this touching gay love story apart from many others is its setting; an Israeli army unit in action. The story is quite formulaic, 1 lover wants to be open about the relationship, the other doesn't and the moving ending you can see coming a mile off. Don't expect an insight into the problems of the Middle East or judgement on the military actions themselves but do expect a window into the army that many Israelis experience and an exposure to Israeli youth culture, a good soundrack too, not half bad.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Little jem

Loved this film. Short, sweet and to the point. Like this review.

predictable but charming

I missed Yossi and Jagger in the London Lesbian and Gay Cinema Festival couple of years back and probably I had to high expectations

The story line is predictable and the director does not achieve to communicate the range of emotions that you would expect for what the characters are going through

That's my opinion, but feel free to contradict me ;o))

short but interesting insight into life in the Israeli Army

This is quite a short movie about the relationships between two officers in the Israeli Army.

Apart from the Gay theme, one thing I did like was that it did attempt to show the complex lifes of young recruits in the Israeli Army and how hard life can be when you are forced into such situations as these find themselves in.

The storyline is a bit predictable, but at just over an hour long, it does not become boring and tends to deal with the issues well.