2:07:44
MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY AND FILM
a. How would you rate the film on a
1 to 10 scale?
1-terrible
2-poor
3-well below average
4-below average
5-average
6-above average
7-good
8-very good
9-excellent
10-superior
b. Describe each of the film’s main
characters.
c. What are the film’s main themes?
AVALON Jewish-Americans, 1990, 126 minutes, PG
Avalon comes close to being a great movie. Armin
Mueller-Stahl is memorable as a first generation Jewish grandfather whose first
image of America is a Fourth of July celebration. Mueller-Stahl, a German
actor, makes his character seem totally Jewish. The same can not be said of
Aidan Quinn, who plays Sam’s assimilated son Jules Kay.
Roger
Ebert sees this film as a tale of how a strong extended family degenerates over
time into an isolated nuclear one. 1998 Roger Ebert’s Video Companion (Kansas
City:Andrew McNeels Publishing, 1997), p. 44. I like to emphasize the
risk-taking and creative thinking necessary for success in business.
Part 1 questions
1. Describe Sam Krichinsky.
2. What do we learn about the
Krichinsky family from their Thanksgiving dinner.
3. How did Jules Kay and his cousin
Izzy Kirk do in the television business?
4. What problems did moving to the
suburbs bring for the Kay/Krichinsky family?
Part 2 questions
1. How did Sam Krichinsky feel about
his son changing his last name to Kay?
2. Give at least one example of
Jewish humor in the film.
3. How did Thanksgiving dinner help
create a split between Sam and his brother Gabriel?
4. Why were Sam and Eva Krichinsky
upset about their son playing golf?
5. Why did Sam resign from the
Family Circle?
Part 3 questions
1. The burning of the store was
presented with much symbolism. Discuss this symbolism.
2. What made Eva’s death so painful
to her husband?
3. What were the movie’s main
themes?
4. Rate the movie on a 1 to 10 scale
for both educational and entertainment value, giving your reasons.
Butler's Program Notes: Avalon (1990),
1:58
Trailer, 1:32