In 1896, Russian Jew Yankel Bogovnik has been in the United States for three years and settled where many of his background have: Hester Street, on New York City's Lower East Side. He has assimilated to American life - learned English, anglicized his name to Jake, and shaved off his beard. He is working at a $12/week job as a seamster, saving up his earnings to be can bring his wife Gitl and their son Yossele to America from Russia. Although he has fallen in love with dancer ... (Full plot summary below)
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In 1896, Russian Jew Yankel Bogovnik has been in the United States for three years and settled where many of his background have: Hester Street, on New York City's Lower East Side. He has assimilated to American life - learned English, anglicized his name to Jake, and shaved off his beard. He is working at a $12/week job as a seamster, saving up his earnings to be can bring his wife Gitl and their son Yossele to America from Russia. Although he has fallen in love with dancer Mamie Fein, he's overjoyed when he learns that Gitl and Yossele are coming to America. His happiness at their arrival is damped when he sees that Gitl isn't "American-looking like Mamie and is having trouble assimilating as quickly as he would like. Except to Mamie, he tries to show a public façade that everything is fine at home with Gitl. But can their marriage survive these differences, and if not, will Gitl be able to manage in this new land where she has little support?
Leave your thoughts about Hester Street.
| EmanuelLevy.ComEmanuel LevyThough lacking plot or in-depth characterization, Silver's ultra-modest debut is likable, in large measure due to her channeling of 1970s feminist approach to a little documented turn of the century immigreants' yarn |
| The SpectatorKenneth RobinsonI think Hester Street just gets itself into the 'don't-miss-this-tiny-gem' category. It is most notable for the contrasting beauty and performances of Carol Kane and Dorrie Kavanaugh. |
| New York TimesWalter GoodmanThe story is well paced to hold one's interest... |
| Chicago ReaderDave KehrHester Street is compromised by preciousness and oversimplification, but it makes a pleasant and efficient entertainment. |
| New York TimesRichard EderThere is nothing very original about Hester Street except its loveliness. |
| VarietyVariety StaffJoan Micklin Silver displays a sure hand for her first pic. |
| Time OutChris PetitAn unimaginative camera and misty monochromes do little beyond conveying some self-conscious period recreation. |
| User ReviewSusan PI just saw this last weekend on TCM during their Oscar month (2012). What a gem! As a second-generation Ellis Islander (Italian/Irish), so a film buff not that far from the immigrant experience, I was captivated. The scenes where the Jewish divorce is being granted far exceed anything put on film by Martin Scorcese or Francis Ford Coppola. This is one of those films that you either "get" or it may be totally lost on you. Forget the production values, lack of sepia tone; the story is what matters here. |
| User ReviewSamantha SBeautiful, seamless, emotionally authentic performances with such subtlety and honesty. Small, personal story with HUGE feminist-political agenda. Wonderfully directed. Such skill at recreating this period both visually and in performance. |
| User ReviewSeth GCarol Kane's magnificent performance alone makes this otherwise unimpressive film worth watching. The story and acting are amazing... but the quality of the production suffers from the low budget. |
