Everything Is Illuminated
Warner Independent Pictures (WIP) | Release Date: September 16, 2005
7.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 65 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
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55
Mixed:
7
Negative:
3
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User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
AutiTakahashiMay 14, 2012
"Everything is Illuminated" is a movie about memories and the things that certain people do with them. Some treasure each memory with zeal and optimism; others spend a lifetime filtering every dark moment with a hope of never having to suffer"Everything is Illuminated" is a movie about memories and the things that certain people do with them. Some treasure each memory with zeal and optimism; others spend a lifetime filtering every dark moment with a hope of never having to suffer in remembrance of it. So many things can happen to us, both good and bad, and it's not unusual to occasionally wish that we can control our ability to remember, and forget.

Elijah Wood stars as Jonathan, a Jewish-American who is about to travel to Ukraine in search of the woman who saved his grandfather's life during the Second World War. His eyes are magnified by his thick glasses and his hair is cautiously combed, which rightfully matches his black suite. Our first impression of Jonathan is a man who is curious and disciplined. We are even hinted that he has an obsessive-compulsive nature the first time we see a wall in his home almost completely covered with plastic bags containing items that is there to simply remind him.

While Jonathan is yet to arrive, we are introduced to a Ukrainian family whose business is to help Jews find the place where their ancestors have perished. This is where the movie suddenly adapts a comedic tone. The eldest son is Alex, who is the film's narrator. His skills in English are lacking in an appealing way. He claims to be a "premium" dancer, and is not very excited to learn that he must accompany his grandfather in "the commencement of a very rigid search." Because Grandfather, the designated driver of the search, claims to be blind, they bring along Sammy Davis Junior Jr. He is the official "seeing eye **** I kinda love these guys.

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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
DoctorKillEmAllApr 26, 2014
My score is based on the movie alone, I didn't read the book. Movie about memories and how they impact us. It has a bitter twist, there's a comedy and a tragedy. Also the acting was very memorable, a really good movie.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
billys.Oct 30, 2005
I could'nt wait to see this after i saw a trailer for it in july, when i saw the one-sheet and Matthew Libatique was the cinematographer, that raised my anticipation even more. Needless to say, it was better than i had hoped for! Why I could'nt wait to see this after i saw a trailer for it in july, when i saw the one-sheet and Matthew Libatique was the cinematographer, that raised my anticipation even more. Needless to say, it was better than i had hoped for! Why are these the films that always get passed over at Oscar time? It deserves nominations for adapted screenplay, supporting actor(Eugene Hutz) and Cinematography atleast, but you know the mega budget movies will buy all their nods anyway.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
JamesB.Mar 10, 2006
A Good Film, I Liked How It Was Very Funny And Lighthearted Until The End Of The Movie, Found Myself Trying To Regain Interest Halfway Through But It Picked Up Near The End.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
SeanD.Sep 29, 2007
I just saw this for the first time - I didn't really know what it was about beforehand or have any expectations, but I had held an interest for a while. The biggest thing I can say about it is that if it doesn't go anywhere (good) I just saw this for the first time - I didn't really know what it was about beforehand or have any expectations, but I had held an interest for a while. The biggest thing I can say about it is that if it doesn't go anywhere (good) it's at least a beautiful ride. Reminded me a lot of "The Science Of Sleep". The scenery/cinematography are beautiful, Alex is very funny, "Jonfen" (Elijah Wood) is attractive as a square. One of the biggest criticisms seems to be that it doesn't carry the gravitas of the Holocaust very well, but I don't think that was necessarily the point (of the film.) It's easy to be depressed by the the history, rightfully so, but the intent seemed to be remembering. If it didn't have the best point, it was nonetheless a very enjoyable ride.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
AlexSep 30, 2005
I thought this movie was fantastic! I can understand how it might now be accessible to everyone, but if you're in any way familiar with Ukrainian culture and thinking, this movie hits it on the button. This is *not* an easy book to I thought this movie was fantastic! I can understand how it might now be accessible to everyone, but if you're in any way familiar with Ukrainian culture and thinking, this movie hits it on the button. This is *not* an easy book to translate into a movie, given the various substories and such, but the end result is quite good. It was a bit slow at the start (I think the whole of 'chapter 1' had 5 lines in it), but it picks up adequate steam as it proceeds. And, the scene with the workmen in the field is strikingly accurate. This movie should most certainly be nominated for some awards - it exceeds a lot of the muck that is being passed around these days.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
DaveS.Sep 30, 2005
I saw this at a screening in Salt Lake. I love it. It was really interesting and challenging. The jokes where creative and pushed the envelope a little. Elijah Wood did a great job as the stright man to the jokes. The serious nature makes I saw this at a screening in Salt Lake. I love it. It was really interesting and challenging. The jokes where creative and pushed the envelope a little. Elijah Wood did a great job as the stright man to the jokes. The serious nature makes perfect sense after the comedy especially in consideration of the Idea that everything in the past creates what you are in the present, whether you know your past or not. The journey of discovery makes things clear hence the title. I hope this will be the sleeper film of the year. Very origional and chalenges people to think of why things happen and how things affect people. I also liked the idea that oblect and feelings can draw you to them rather than the other way around. Go see this movie!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JackS.Apr 29, 2006
That rare film that successfully blends laugh-out-loud humor with drama.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
MarkG.Apr 6, 2006
Quirky, bittersweet movie with a few caracters you wont forget.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
AndersMay 8, 2006
A charming and interesting film - It is a bit slow, but in a lovely sort of way.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
JohnOApr 18, 2007
I found this by pure chance on TV last night and I'm glad because I had absolutely no preconceptions of what to expect, having never heard of either the book or the film. As with 99% of adaptations, people (my girlfriend) who have read I found this by pure chance on TV last night and I'm glad because I had absolutely no preconceptions of what to expect, having never heard of either the book or the film. As with 99% of adaptations, people (my girlfriend) who have read the book will perhaps expect too much from it. Yes, perhaps the characters aren't fully realised but it is nonetheless very charming and sensitive without feeling the need to outrage or melodramatise. It will probably be criticised too by some for being erratic but for me at least this added to the film's eccentricity and its overall appeal.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
NhungL.Feb 26, 2008
The movie is soooooo brilliant - it really touches my emotions without using sentimental scenes and language. Its pace is slow with soft music, which gives me a feeling of sadness and gloominess. At first, I was amused by Alex's family, The movie is soooooo brilliant - it really touches my emotions without using sentimental scenes and language. Its pace is slow with soft music, which gives me a feeling of sadness and gloominess. At first, I was amused by Alex's family, but then deeply absolved in their serious and mysterious adventure. The movie achieves a lot without telling too much, just silence, music and beautiful scene. The view of the woman's house in the middle of a sunflower field is soooo fanciful. Those who think that Jonathan's trip ends up nowhere should rewatch the movie. In the end, Jonathan finds Trachimbrod and gains much more - not just lost family memories.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
JanSep 17, 2005
It's so painfully boring. The Director should be looking for better scripts than overload the movie watching time with the same old behavioral fatique of dysfunctional characters seen in so many of today's films. Not to say least It's so painfully boring. The Director should be looking for better scripts than overload the movie watching time with the same old behavioral fatique of dysfunctional characters seen in so many of today's films. Not to say least that Elijah Wood's extraordinary set of eyes needed patching with a pair of "magnifying" glasses to draw the viwers' attention. After this film, the poor lad will be remembered as a dead square, dolled up with a face set to look like a shining porcelain cartoon puppet.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
MattB.Dec 8, 2006
The movie cuts the most poignant sections of the novel, entirely eliminating the "flashbacks" to the writer's resulting novel. Added character quirks don't improve upon those in Safran Foer's novel and move the film into the The movie cuts the most poignant sections of the novel, entirely eliminating the "flashbacks" to the writer's resulting novel. Added character quirks don't improve upon those in Safran Foer's novel and move the film into the realm of kitsch. If you liked the film, read the book. The film is a pale reflection.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
HansB.Apr 22, 2006
A very sensible and serious subject with lots of humour in it. What is jewish anyway ?
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
TimA.May 2, 2006
Only the criminally jaded and terminally hip will fail to appreciate this trip from light, to dark, and back again.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
PeterA.May 6, 2006
Excellent, sensitive film. Sometimes it's easier to deal with tragedy by indulging in a little humor.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JohnG.Sep 9, 2007
I watched once and was lost Watched it a second time and was amazed.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
SteveMay 9, 2008
Phenomenal, this is one movie where the critics, and not the filmgoers, got it wrong!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
BryanMOct 27, 2009
Though admittedly I have not read the book, even as a more shallow adaptation, this film cannot be denied as a work of art.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
JenniferL.Oct 31, 2005
If you didn
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
TravisSep 19, 2005
This movie was pretty pathetic. Though that may be because of how much I loved the book. I found it hard to sit through.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
ulac.Sep 25, 2005
What a wonderful film! It was so worth my $10. And Laryssa Lauret deserves an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
thatsDmitryJun 28, 2020
this is my favorite movie, can't describe how much I love it, it's so touching and at the same time funny
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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