Everything is Illuminated

So I watched that movie Everything is Illuminated. My dad had told me it was pretty good so I decided that I would check it out. Overall, I praise the movie for skillfully balancing comedy and drama. The movie follows Jonathan Foer played by Elijah Woods as he journeys to Ukraine to find the history of his grandfather, a Jew murdered in the Holocaust. His Ukrainian guides are the comedic Alex, his cranky grandfather, and their seeing-eye dog. Hilarity ensues as cultures clash. Jonathan is unable to explain how he is a vegetarian. They eventually discover the truth of Jonathan's grandfather and his hometown of Trachimbrod also discovering that Alex's grandfather has a role to play in that past. Touching ending.

Elijah Woods does a great job playing the introverted, yet determined protagonist. Also, Alex is played by Gogol Bordello, Gypsy punk band, lead singer, Eugine Hütz. He also acts well and humorously.

The movie is based on the book, Everything is Illuminated, by Jonathan Safran Foer. It was written and directed by Liev Schreiber (the guy who was sabertooth in the X Men Origins: Wolverine). Go see it! It's not a waste of time! You can easily pick out Russian words, so it's a great learning experience!