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One Movie Punch


Jun 19, 2018

Today’s movie is “Maktub” (2017), the third of four Netflix Original films released this past Friday. The film follows Chuma (Guy Amir) and Steve (Hanan Savyon), two criminals who survive a bomb attack in Jerusalem, and decide to reform their ways, fulfilling wishes left in the Wailing Wall. The film was written by Guy Amir and Hanan Savyon, and directed by Oded Raz.

Spoilers ahead.

Politically speaking, things are really charged right now around Jerusalem, and many organizations are calling for boycott, divestment and sanction from Israel. Recent events have been horrendous, with multiple Palestinian civilians killed in peaceful protests. So, if you want to skip this film for those reasons, I completely understand and support your decision. I also think that should peace ever come to the region, you should go back and check out this film, because objectively speaking, it’s quite good.

Guy Amir and Hanan Savyon are two powerhouses in the Israeli film and television industry. They have been the creative force behind four different television shows over their eight years of collaboration, and they have a number of additional works in the queue. This long-term creative relationship really shines through in “Maktub”, their first feature-length film, which doubles down on quite a few of their common themes throughout their career.

The script is really well crafted, with a lot of great twists and turns, with great on-screen chemistry between Chuma and Steve. The premise itself could be the basis of an entire television series with a standard procedural format. Raz’s direction has great pacing, with only a bit of slowness in the transitions, but also capturing some key emotional moments. 

“Maktub” (2017) is a redemption tale that really makes you think that holiness works in mysterious ways, even while being hilariously irreverent and pushing the boundaries of the more conservative side of Israeli culture. Guy Amir and Hanan Savyon hit it big in their first feature-length film, building on their creative relationship and setting the stage hopefully for more films to come. Fans of crime thrillers and redemption tales should definitely check out this film.

Rotten Tomatoes: NR

Metacritic: NR

One Movie Punch: 8.0/10

“Maktub” (2017) is rated TV-MA and is currently streaming on Netflix.