Customer Reviews

The Angel Levine [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It may be a movie that mostly adults would see, but I saw it with my mother, and I loved. I found it very confusing, but my mother expained it to me during the movie.

Languishing in obscurity until its DVD release, this Bernard Malamud adaptation provides a fine showcase for Zero Mostel and Harry Belafonte (his first screen role since 1959's "Odds Against Tomorrow"). Czech filmmaker Ján Kadár's American debut suffers from staginess and his uncertain handling of Malamud's short story, but the actors save the day. An engaging fable, "The Angel Levine" is recommended for ambitious cinephiles rather than mainstream viewers.

Zero Mostel plays a poor schlemiel by the name of Mishkin, who is visited by a Jewish angel named Levine. Levine is played by Harry Belafonte! This certainly promises some very clever and very amusing moments. Unfortunately, the promise remains unkept. In fact, the film never really gets started. I can remember thinking what a long time it was taking to get going, and then the closing credits started to scroll; it never got going. What is particularly disappointing is that this is a film I wanted very much to like. Alas, we don't always get what we want.

A wonderful of expression of LOVE between an older Jewish couple. An angel comes to guide the "old man" through some difficult times. This is a very heartfelt and funny movie rolled into one.
Zero Mostle and Harry Belafonte make a wonderful team. NOT to be missed! ! ! !

I watched this on cable and loved it so much I had to buy it. Very different Kind of Movie. I really enjoyed it so much:-)

Since I was teaching the short story I wanted to also show the film.
Loved seeing young Harry Belefonte and early Zero Mostel but the film does not have
impact of the short story and drags. The musical score is really irritating.
The two main characters were actually miscast, according to the story.
Karol Verson

I had bought this movie a few years ago and never watched it until recently.

I was disappointed by the plot and by the characters, the premise itself is fascinating.

The premise is that this unlikely black angel (Belafonte) comes to this suffering Jewish man (Mostel) and his wife and tries to get him to believe in the angel. The theme of a man's need to believe in something resonates.

But the plot goes in a different direction, much of it is about the angel. And the language is often harsh and the movie itself resembles The Pawnbroker in its cynical and harsh view of New York life at that time.

Mostel is perfect, I believe every word and action of him. Belafonte would be a great choice as the angel if the plot eliminated the earthiness and self-pitying of his character and stressed the idea of him as an angel. As for the rest of the cast, Milo O'Shea as a Jewish doctor?

I found the movie very interesting. I may be biased toward the film since actually I appear in the last scene of this movie (one of the boys at the study table in the black synagogue that Zero Mostel visits) The late Chief Rabbi W.A. Matthew (my grandfather)has an appearance in the movie leading the study group discussion in the historic landmark Harlem synagogue. Although not in the final edit, during filming it was an interesting scripted discussion.
-David Matthew Dore'

The only reason I'm reviewing this movie is to caution traditional values families not to waste their time on it. The premise to the story could be a wonderful portrayal of a man's search for meaning in life and for God. But the so-called angel has no hesitation to use the Name of the Lord in vain . . . and often. My wife couldn't believe how contra-real-angel he was. Whomever dreamed up this movie has no idea of either angels or personal relationship with God. Forget this one.