Shem (2003)
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9% of critics liked it
(11 reviews) -
0% of users liked it
(57 ratings)
A young man gains a new perspective on himself and his people during an unexpectedly complicated sojourn in Europe in this independent drama. Daniel (Ash Newman) is a teenager growing up in London; good looking and personable, Daniel enjoys a life of carefree hedonism, but deep inside he feels that… More A young man gains a new perspective on himself and his people during an unexpectedly complicated sojourn in Europe in this independent drama. Daniel (Ash Newman) is a teenager growing up in London; good looking and personable, Daniel enjoys a life of carefree hedonism, but deep inside he feels that something is missing. Daniel has a close relationship with his Jewish grandmother (Hadassah Unger Diamant), who serves as his confidante and conscience. Grandmother persuades Daniel to go to Europe in search of the grave of her late husband, who vanished during the pogroms of World War II. Daniel sets out for Paris, where his grandfather was last seen, but he soon finds himself on a journey that takes him through several nations as he is thrown into a number of unusual adventures. While searching for his grandfather, Daniel learns a great deal about himself and his heritage along the way. Ash Newman's performance in Shem earned him the Best Actor prize at the 2004 New York Independent Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Caroline Roboh
- Written By
- Caroline Roboh
- Genres
- Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- May 26, 2006 Wide
- Studio
- HP Releasing
Critic Reviews
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Laura Kern, New York Times
Daniel's character transformation, however limited (he ranges from complete to partial arrogant jerk), is far more credible than any of the film's half-baked attempts at morphing into a conspiracy thriller involving his great-grandfather.
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John Anderson, Newsday
Several things are missing in Shem, most apparently a consistent tone of voice.
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Malene Arpe, Toronto Star
The result of Cave just letting it rip is a western that's a mix of Unforgiven, everything by Sam Peckinpah, Deadwood at its most profane and a rabid dog gnawing on your leg while you're running away.
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Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
Its narrative never rises above its episodic nature.
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V.A. Musetto, New York Post
A pointless hodgepodge, with a finale that will leave viewers scratching their heads.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Ash Newman
as Daniel
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Hadassah Unger Diamant
as Daniel's Grandmother
- Geraldine de Bastion
- Cyrielle Clair
- István Szabó
- Arturo Brachetti
- Ferrante Ferranti
- Gordana Grubjsesic
- Hadassah Hungar Diamant
