Based on the novel by Israeli writer Amos Oz, “A Tale of Love and Darkness” is a triumph for Natalie Portman, who must be looked at in a new light. This is clearly her film, in which she not only has written the screenplay and gives a touching, haunting star performance, but has directed with intelligence and sensitivity, illustrating her talent as a filmmaker as well.
The story that unfolds is a deeply personal one, with the added scope of its being set against the lead-up to the creation of the state of Israel, a connection smoothly woven into the narrative. The autobiographical aspect of Oz’s reflections on his youth is communicated as the reflections of Amos (Moni Moshonov), movingly played as a 10-year-old boy by Amir Tessler.
Fania, his mother is portrayed by Portman with details of the character’s troubling complexity. Portman speaks Hebrew, which adds to the impression of authenticity. Fania is a frustrated woman, who likes to make up stories that fantasize about the life she doesn’t have. Young Amos is fascinated when Fania spins such tales to him. His father, Arieh (Gilad Kahana) is a literary critic with a rather dry personality, not one to satisfy the dreams of Fania.
In a historical sense Fania and Arieh are representative of the families that migrated to Palestine to help build a Jewish homeland. But in a deeply personal sense, the film chronicles the descent of Fania into mental breakdown, an increasingly sad spectacle that bewilders her husband and son. (In reality Oz’s mother had a similar fate).
Portman is so well immersed in the character that she assumes a dreaminess that radiates beauty as her imagination replaces lack of fulfillment. But she also communicates tragic depth as we watch her sink further and further into withdrawal. The effect on Amos is made apparent by the film’s perspective by Amos as an adult.
“A Tale of Love and Darkness” is fascinating to watch even though it is inevitably disturbing. Above all, it is a brilliant achievement by Portman, who excels on all counts. A Focus World release. Reviewed August 19, 2016.