Off White Lies

Father-daughter coming-of-age saga
Let me state upfront that I've been a fan of the Film Movement library of foreign and indie movies for some times, in fact I finally gave in and subscribed to the DVD Of the Month club earlier this year. This movie is the September, 2012 release in that subscription.

"Off-White Lies" (2011 release from Israel; 89 min.) brings the tale of 13 yr. old Libby, who we learn later lived in California, but her mother (for reasons never explained) sent her to Israel to come live with her father. It's been years that Libby and her father have seen each other, and so they need to get to know each other again. Pretty soon, we learn that the father is "in between apartments", and so the pair drifts around Israel. When Hezbollah starts bombing the north of Israel, causing thousands to feel to the south, the pair pretends to be refugees from the north and are taken in by a well-off family in Jerusalem. To tell you more of the plot would ruin your viewing experience of the movie, you'll...

An Israeli Drama That Succeeds Best When Its Focus Is On Family
The Israeli film "Off White Lies," while not unpleasant, seems to be suffering from a mild identity crisis. Is it a touching drama about an estranged father reconnecting with his daughter? Or is it an observant look at the inherent dangers posed while living in a perpetually war torn land? Or is it a gentle social satire about manipulating the system? In parts, "Off White Lies" is all of these things, but they don't always coexist in harmony. That's not to say that I didn't like the movie. I did. The lead performances are very strong and the principle thread about the burgeoning father/daughter relationship, with its incumbent highs and lows, is really solid. But even the movie's tag line seems to want to sell the movie as a ribald comedy: "father, daughter...con-artists!" makes it sound like a wacky romp. I rarely address marketing when it comes to movies, but this is a case where I feel compelled to say a word. If you come to "Off White Lies" looking for a laugh riot "Paper Moon"...

A truly moving Israeli Dramedy
If you're looking for a sweet and entertaining drama-comedy touching on themes of love and family, Off White Lies is a must-see. This Israeli gem tells the story of Libi, an introverted teenager and her father Shaul who is totally disconnected from her and her problems. Shaul is that kind of father you would have loved to have when you were young until his childish attitude and excentricity drive you crazy.
But when Shaul and Libi find themselves both homeless, moving from places to places, masks fall and lies are revealed. Yet only truth can restore love and confidence in a family.

Off White Lies has not only a good plot but an amazing cast and striking visuals.
The film actually made me think of this excellent French movie called The Day I Saw Your Heart, where a father (Michel Blanc) and his daughter (Melanie Laurent) reconnect as love triumphs over years of lies.

Balancing with funny situations and moving sequences, Off White Lies has no other...

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