Jakob the Liar - Film Review
TheBloodyCritique’s ‘Jakob the Liar’ Film Review
Set in a German occupied Polish ghetto in 1944 word gets out that Jakob, played by Robin Williams, a Jewish shopkeeper is in possession of a radio, which were forbidden by the Germans, when he mentions something he’d heard on the German commander’s radio to a fucking idiots who tells everyone. With everyone thinking Jakob has a radio they come to him for updates on the war hoping for good news and Jakob decides to give it to them, despite knowing nothing. Jakob the Liar is directed by someone and it stars people including George and Jerry’s boss at NBC in Seinfeld Russell Dalrymple.
The biggest problem with Jakob the Liar is the tone, it’s not quite as balanced as you’d want from a film with this sort of subject matter, it bounces back and forth between Robin Williams being funny and the horrors of the Holocaust and it doesn’t really work on either front. It’s like a mixture of Schindler’s List and World’s Greatest Dad, no else has ever made that comparison about anything! It’s not a bad film though and despite it’s awkward tone it’s not offensive, to me anyway, it’s just not quite a good film, it’s not particularly funny and the story isn’t that engaging either.
It’s too slapstick to be able to find any emotional investment in the film and none of the characters were interesting. I like Robin Williams and if there’s any reason to watch the film in 2018 it’s him but this is in no way his best performance he actually got nominated for a Golden Raspberry because of it but it’s not that bad, it’s not great though. All of the performances felt a little over the top, they were too obvious and there wasn’t any depth to any of them they just felt like caricatures and a few of them were particularly irritating.
I didn’t really feel sympathetic to any of the characters, word gets out that Jakob has a radio through his ‘friend’ Mischa because he’s a fucking idiot and then everyone starts acting like fucking idiots! They all feel entitled to information and talk about it openly and loudly, no discretion at all, Mischa’s barging into his house people are blaming deaths on Jakob, my point is that it’s hard for the idea of the film to have any emotional impact when you’d be fine watching all of these people die, especially Mischa that cunt gets right on my fucking nerves!
All in all I’d say give Jakob the Liar a miss, it’s not worth it for the Robin Williams performance and the film doesn’t really hit any of the marks it was trying to, namely comedy and drama, like I say though it’s definitely not a bad film, there’s just no good enough reason to watch it 19 years later in 2018, unless you’re me of course, but if there is someone out there who’s come across it and isn’t sure whether it’s worth the 2 hour run time I just hope they find this first, it isn’t, I’m gonna give Jakob the Liar 6.3/10.
What's your favourite Robin Williams film?
I saw this some years ago, not what I expected but it was ok, didnt feel like I wasted my time.
As for favourite movie with Robin Williams? ouch thats a hard one, theres quite many good... Mrs Doubtsfire is probably the one ive seen the most times of his movies.
It's been many years since I watched Mrs. Doubtfire but I remember enjoying it as a kid though.
I did as well, but I have kids now which allows me to watch it again ;)
The question at the end of this post makes me realize that I haven't seen too much of Mr. William's movies. I can only mention 2 titles of his works, the 1995's Jumanji and the 1997's Good Will Hunting. And I think both were good movies.
Thanks for this article.
I have never seen this movie but now I will have It on my radar. Thanks for the sharing of it and have a nice week critique.
Because director and co-writer Peter Kassovitz softens the reality of the Holocaust, the movie plays more like a Hogan's Heroes episode than the serious drama it alleges to be. But what may be less than satisfying for adults can be a good stepping stone for children taking an interest in the subject. The Nazis aren't terribly menacing, the scenes of violence and psychological torture are relatively mild, and the themes of perseverance and selflessness are strong.
Following closely after the success of Roberto Benigni's Life Is Beautiful, this sentimental, watered-down tale (adapted from Jurek Becker's 1969 book) of one man's wartime attempt to spread hope fell through the cracks, despite star Robin Williams' box office magnetism. In the right movie, with his shtick and his histrionics seriously curtailed, Robin Williams can be a very capable actor. His characters in Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society ably communicated both humor and emotional depth. But in JAKOB THE LIAR he delivers a Moscow on the Hudson performance, putting on an accent and a costume and asking audiences to forget his reputation for manic comedy even though scenes are filled with light humor. As a result, taking Williams seriously as a ghettoized Jew is nearly impossible.
I refuse to believe you came in here, read my review and fucking typed that, go and fuck yourself! Lol
He didnt, he pasted a review from the net
proof:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/jakob-the-liar