Golda [Blu-ray]

Director: Guy Nattiv Guy Nattiv

Overview

In 1973, the Yom Kippur War plunged Israel into turmoil as the armed conflict escalated tensions between Israel and a coalition led by Egypt and Syria. Faced with difficult decisions and overwhelming responsibilities, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir (Helen Mirren) struggled to fight for her people and restore peace to her nation. Guy Nattiv directs the biopic. Co-starring Liev Schreiber, Mark Fleischmann, and Ed Stoppard.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/17/2023
UPC:	0843501041581
Original Release:	2023
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Decal Bleecker
Language:	English
Time:	1:40:00
Sales rank:	1,418

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Helen Mirren	Golda Meir
Zed Josef	Actor
Henry Goodman	Actor
Olivia Brody	Girl Playing Piano
Liev Schreiber	Henry Kissinger
Camille Cottin	Dominic Mafham
Dominic Mafham	Mark Fleischmann
Mark Fleischmann	Minister Uri
Ed Stoppard	Ben Caplan
Ben Caplan	Lior Ashkenazi
Lior Ashkenazi	Ellie Piercy
Ellie Piercy	Emma Davies
Emma Davies	Daniel Ben Zenou
Daniel Ben Zenou	Avner Shalev
Dvir Benedek	Rotem Keinan
Rotem Keinan	Olivia Brody
Rami Heuberger	Kit Rakusen
Kit Rakusen	Gideon Meir
Sara Matin	Yael
Muneesh Sharma	Israeli Army Officer
Sumit Chakravarti	Isreali Solider
Oliver Franks	Israeli Soldier

Technical Credits

Nicholas Martin

Nicholas Martin	Screenwriter
Guy Nattiv	Director
Andrew Boswell	Executive Producer
Jamie Diner	Executive Producer
Christopher Figg	Executive Producer
Julie Goldstein	Executive Producer
Ian Hutchinson	Executive Producer
Andrew Karpen	Executive Producer
Louise Nathanson	Executive Producer
Celine Rattray	Executive Producer
Jane Hooks	Producer
Michael Kuhn	Producer
Anna Vincent	Executive Producer
Kent Sanderson	Executive Producer
Saskia Thomas	Executive Producer

Editorial Reviews

Golda Meir, Israel's Prime Minister from 1969 to 1974, led the Israeli people during the Yom Kippur War. Director Guy Nattiv's 'Golda' follows her role in the conflict and attempts to weave the politics and war into an engaging biographical drama. As the film progresses, viewers really only experience the chaotic decision-making of war, as Golda is constantly bombarded with strategic questions and suggestions from her military advisers. By the time the credits roll, there seems to be an emptiness, a lack of singular vision, which is odd considering 'Golda' sets out to focus on the titular character herself. On October 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria led an attack on the emerging state of Israel. Taken by surprise, Israel suffered many casualties at the beginning of the conflict. Golda Meir (Helen Mirren), Israel's first female Prime Minister, now must lead her country to victory, and get the surrounding Arab states to recognize Israel as a country. Using her political prowess, she must convince the United States Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger (Live Schreiber) to help Israel. Golda must be selfless and strong, as she also battles a life-threatening disease. The overall tone of 'Golda' is lifeless and drab, appropriate for the setting but there is no real emotional connection to tie it all together. Nattiv does not shy away from Golda's powerful presence, but the audience could get the feeling that she is just running from room to room quickly making decisions and then immediately seeing the consequences. There is no nuance from scene to scene, no development, merely an ultra-fast snapshot of what took place during the war. Although the story may come across as a bit rushed and hollow, the same cannot be said about the acting. Across the board the performances are exceptional, anchored by Helen Mirren and her portrayal of the chain-smoking Golda. Camille Cottin portrays Golda's assistant and acts as a conduit to Golda's emotional side. One of the best performances in the film is turned in by Emma Davies, who plays the government transcriber Miss Epstein. Davies barely says a word throughout the film, but her brief role may stick with the audience the most. Nattiv does well in thoroughly developing her story, and it culminates in a very emotional ending. 'Golda' plays out as a decent historical biopic, but there seems to be so much more left on the table. Nattiv never seems to pick a singular direction for the film, instead choosing to swap among war, politics, and Golda herself. In the end, the audience gets a jumbled film that does not seem to fully connect from scene to scene.