Fiddler on the Roof

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Kevin P An epic historical musical that easily lives up to the hype with so much grand storytelling about one humble family trying to change with the times for love while still honing true to their Russian Jewish customs, until the statewide adversity of antisemitism from the Czar Empire slowly creeps over and pushes everyone out. The musical numbers are all fire and staged so well with the folk dance choreography and kinetic energy of all the passionate actors giving it their all (especially the main lead playing the gruff peasant father with a heart of gold). The movie's also very funny, with the father, mother, matchmaker, and dorky tailor being my favorites. "If I Were a Rich Man" is classic, but feels so much more relatable when you get older when in modern times with its timeless message about daydreaming and yearning for a better lot in life as while we toll away during our everyday mundane tasks in our small humble homes & work stations. Everyone is humanized with their own unique funny quirks and heartwarming mini-arcs. It's a nice feministic Critique with enough nuance where it clearly highlights the systemic root of the arranged marriages becoming more tempting under desperate desires to escape poverty. But luckily love and progress still win the day, even with the third and most challenging marriage of the film near the end. How change is a neutral force of nature that is neither good group bad. But must always be considered with an open and considerate mind. Even if it can be a bit jarring with how casual & almost stock it plays off arranging marriages between underage daughters and weird old men. The finale is tragic, but still hopefully with its theme of survival & maintaining community even when others push you out of your own home. That to seek the pursuit of happiness is to be a Fiddler on the roof. Reaching out for your passions and joy no matter how easily you may slip and fall. Because it's all worth it to feel like you're truly living your own destiny. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/25 Full Review Ares 4 Why does this film only have a 81% approval rating? It should be at least 91% if not higher. Fiddler On The Roof is a very very good film and it's actually better than La La Land which was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/09/24 Full Review Aidan B An absolutely beautiful masterpiece with memorable performances and iconic songs, "Fiddler on the Roof" is an instant classic and one of the better musicals made. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/25/24 Full Review Simon T Fiddler on the Roof is a great great musical and this is possibly Norman Jewison's finest film. A wonderful and witty book moves from the comedy of a poor milkman, Tevye, being usurped by his three eldest daughters choosing husbands he doesn't accept, to the dark brutality of the pogroms. Suddenly the security of tradition and cosy chats with God vanish... Anchored by a terrific central performance by Topol, it also is blessed with great music (Jerry Bock) and lyrics and luminous magic hour cinematography by Oswald Morris. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/23/24 Full Review Alec B One of the few musical adaptations where an emphasis on "realism" works. The filmmakers construct an entirely believable Jewish community in early 19th century Ukraine for the setting which gives the movie real emotional weight. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/14/23 Full Review Dallas H I finally sat down to watch this musical adaptation. After all, I've known of the famous song "If I Were A Rich Man" for a long time. I liked this movie. The story's final act saddened me, with the family preparing to move from Pale of Settlement to New York City. The conversation with the estranged daughter, who proclaims she doesn't want to live in a place of oppression, then proceeds to mention she will be moving to Krakow, Poland, with her husband before the two great World Wars, had me gasp out loud. I certainly want to sit down for a second viewing of the movie in the future. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Fiddler on the Roof

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