Avalon (1990)
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83% of critics liked it
(23 reviews) -
77% of users liked it
(3,080 ratings)
The third of director Barry Levinson's autobiographical "Baltimore Trilogy" (the first two entries were Diner and Tin Men), Avalon covers nearly forty years in the lives of an immigrant Jewish family. Sam Krichinsky (Armin Mueller-Stahl) emigrates to Baltimore in 1914, where Sam's… More The third of director Barry Levinson's autobiographical "Baltimore Trilogy" (the first two entries were Diner and Tin Men), Avalon covers nearly forty years in the lives of an immigrant Jewish family. Sam Krichinsky (Armin Mueller-Stahl) emigrates to Baltimore in 1914, where Sam's brothers Gabriel (Lou Jacobi), Hymie (Leo L. Fuchs), and Nathan (Israel Rubinek) are awaiting his arrival. By and by, Sam meets his future wife, Eva (Joan Plowright). With the introduction of the Krichinsky's grown son Jules (Aidan Quinn), the film ventures into culture-clash country. Unwilling to become a manual laborer like his dad, Jules opts for the life of a door-to-door salesman. Eventually, he teams with his cousin Izzy (Kevin Pollak) to open the first TV store in Baltimore. Thereafter, the disintegration of the Krichinsky family is paralleled by the rise of TV's omnipresence in the American home. Avalon's elegiac and melancholy effect is underlined by Randy Newman's soulful musical score. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Barry Levinson
- Genres
- Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Oct 5, 1990 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media
A slow but rewarding drama.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Tracing the fortunes and misfortunes of an extended family of Jewish immigrants, this melancholy memory film is too soft and episodic, lacking the narrative focus of either Diner or Tin Men, which form a trilogy.
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John Wirt, Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
An overstuffed family drama that's not nearly as magical as it thinks it is.
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Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
A fine film that showcases early Baltimore.
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Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Solid Levinson tale, well acted
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Cast
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Armin Mueller-Stahl
as Sam Krichinsky
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Aidan Quinn
as Jules Kaye
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Eve Gordon
as Dottie Kirk
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Elizabeth Perkins
as Anne Kaye
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Lou Jacobi
as Gabriel Krichinsky
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Léo L. Fuchs
as Hymie Krichinsky
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Joan Plowright
as Eva Krichinsky
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Israel Rubinek
as Nathan Krichinsky
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Kevin Pollak
as Izzy Kirk
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Elijah Wood
as Michael Kayeli
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Grant Gelt
as Teddy Kirk
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Jesse Adelman
as Miscellaneous Family Member
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Brenda Alford
as Night Club Singer
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Steve Aronson
as Moving Man
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Rachel Aviva
as Elka
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Judy Bach
as Miscellaneous Family Member
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Anna Bergman
as Alice as a Young Woman
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Mina Bern
as Alice Krichinsky
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Alisa Bernstein
as Miscellaneous Family Member
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Kevin Blum
as Young Jules
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Eva Cohen
as Miscellaneous Family Member
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Michael David Edelstein
as Gabriel as a Young Man
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Ronald Guttman
as Simka
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Bernard Hiller
as Hymie as a Young Man
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Dawne Hindle
as Eva as a Young Woman
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Mindy Loren Isenstein
as Mindy Kirk
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Joy Thomas
as Country Club Singer
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Neil Kirk
as Herbie
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Michael Krauss
as Sam as a Young Man
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Mary Lechter
as Faye as a Young Woman
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Christopher James Lekas
as Sam Michael's Son
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Shifra Lerer
as Nellie Krichinsky
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Josh Lessner
as Miscellaneous Family Member
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Herb Levison
as Rabbi at Funeral
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Barbara Morris
as Mollie as a Young Woman
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Christine Mosere
as Nellie as a Young Woman
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Alvin Myerovich
as The Father
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Miles A. Perman
as Gas Attendant
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Ava Eileen Quinn
as David as a Baby
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Paul Quinn
as K & K Employee
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Moishe Rosenfeld
as William as a Young Man
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Frania Rubinek
as Faye Krichinsky
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Brian Shait
as Nathan as a Young Man
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Samantha Shenk
as Miscellaneous Family Member
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Brian Sher
as Country Club Page
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Patty Sherman
as Miscellaneous Family Member
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Irv Stein
as Miscellaneous Family Member
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Ralph Tabakin
as Principal Dunn
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Frank Tamburo
as Mugger
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David Thornhill
as David age 8 Months
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Sylvia Weinberg
as Mrs. Parkes
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Thelma Weiner
as Miscellaneous Family Member
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Tom Wood
as Michael as an Adult
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Beatrice Yoffe
as Nursing Home Receptionist
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Jordan Young
as David age 10
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Robert Zalkind
as Miscellaneous Family Member
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James A. Zemarel
as Supper Club Singer
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Tammy Walker
as Camera Girl
- Ellen Chenoweth
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David Long
as TV Commercial Director
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Pat Flynn
as Fire Chief
