December 11, 2009, - 4:05 pm

Weekend Box Office: Anti-Semitism, British-Style & Dark, Fun Chick Flick

By Debbie Schlussel

A very unsung dark comedy starring two seemingly has-beens gets my vote, this weekend.  A very obviously anti-Semitic film over which critics are raving gets my jeers.  I did not see Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog,” as the screening was held on the Jewish Sabbath.

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*  “An Education“:  If this movie didn’t have such an anti-Semitic slant, so obvious and heavy-handed, I might have liked it.  But, instead, we’re told over and over that the villain in this movie, a criminal and predator of young and old, is a Jew.  It’s high quality British Bin Laden cinema.  The authors of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion would be proud.

Jenny (Carey Mulligan), a teen girl in early ’60s London gets caught in a heavy rain and is offered a ride by a charming gentleman, David (Peter Sarsgaard), who offers protection for her cello, which she plays in a youth orchestra.  Soon, he is sending her flowers and sweeping both her and her working-class parents off their feet.  Jenny, a francophile and brilliant student, desperately wants to get into Oxford to change her life from that of her working class parents.  And David pretends to help her.  But that and his fancy car and money–it’s all a ruse.

In fact, he’s a criminal, con-man and a thief, who preys on old women (stealing their property) and young women (to steal their virginity and innocence).  This predator–whom filmmakers make sure we know is a Jew, Jew, JEW, JOOOO!–takes the girl to Paris, takes her virginity, proposes marriage to her, and ruins her life.  And then she finds out he’s already married to someone else.

The end.  Oh, and did I mention that this vile predator is a Jew?  Just in case you didn’t notice and just in case you didn’t get the anti-Semitic message of this movie that Jews are con-men, vile characters who prey on the innocent without even an iota of conscience.

If this movie is “an education” in anything, its in the curriculum of Ahmadinejad and Hitler.  I, myself, learned nothing. . . except that anti-Semitic filmmaking is alive and well in Hollywood and Britain.  And, sadly, even that isn’t news.  Irina Bragin of the Los Angeles Jewish Journal seconds my emotion and thought on this film in an excellent analysis I urge you to read.  I’m sure Pat Buchanan had multiple orgasms over this movie, or will when he learns of it.

We recently voted our nominations for the Detroit Film Critics Society (I’ll be posting mine on Sunday or Monday).  Studios lobbied us heavily, as did fellow critics.  And while they urged me to vote for “An Education” in several categories, I declined.  I will not give anti-Semitism a single nod of approval.  Nor will I give any accolades to those who go along with it for an acting job and paycheck.  When we vote our final ballots on Monday, I will continue with this policy concerning this horrible piece of Jew-hatred on the silver screen.

FOUR HITLERS
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* “Serious Moonlight“: I expected to hate this romantic (or rather anti-romantic) comedy starring Meg Ryan and Timothy Hutton as a longtime married couple. But I found it cute and a very bearable dark version of a chick flick. I think guys might like it, too. This dark comedy has a very clever ending, but if you blink, you’ll miss it.

Ryan plays an overachieving lawyer who goes up to the country for a weekend with her husband, Hutton, for a romantic weekend. But she comes up a day early and spoils her husband’s plan to leave her for his much younger lover (Kristen Bell) and a trip to Paris. Ryan not only rains on his parade, but she holds her husband hostage (taping him to a toilet with duct tape) until he will love her again. While much arguing and yelling ensues, a robbery of the house occurs, too.

Like I said, it’s clever, funny, and cute. And it was light and entertaining, the way movies are supposed to be. Moreover, at just 84 minutes, it’s short and sweet. Sadly, it’s gotten little press or publicity and after only a few short engagements in arthouse movie theaters, it’ll probably go quickly to DVD release.

It should be noted that this movie was the last project of the late Adrienne Shelley, the actress-turned-writer/director who was only beginning her critically-acclaimed directing career when her life was cut short by an illegal alien who murdered her. She wrote this script. The movie was directed by actress Cheryl Hines.

TWO REAGANS
reagancowboyreagancowboy




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51 Responses

Next to Muslims, the Brits are amongst the most anti-semitic people on the planet. I pity the Jews stuck in merry ole England.

jayeeegee on December 11, 2009 at 8:40 pm

    It’s true about the Brits. Antisemitism is part of their breeding. Which is why the Muslims are flourishing in Britain. The stupid Brits with their nasty teeth don’t even know that they are over.

    lexi on December 12, 2009 at 11:26 am

    The Brits might generally hate Jews, but check this out (I hope it is accurate):

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1235566/How-British-PoW-swapped-uniforms-sneak-IN-Auschwitz-Jewish-pal-slip-out.html

    For 60 years Denis Avey remained too traumatised to talk about the horrors he had witnessed as a prisoner of war at Auschwitz.
    But when he finally felt able, he revealed an incredible tale of bravery and compassion.
    Mr Avey told how he twice smuggled himself in to the death camp after befriending a German Jew who had been sent there as part of the Nazi’s Final Solution.
    Mr Avey was being held in Monowice, one of two smaller camps alongside the Nazis’ main concentration and extermination centre at Auschwitz.
    As a prisoner of war, he was protected by the Geneva Convention and enjoyed a far more comfortable existence than the Jews destined only for death.
    With rumours spreading through Monowice about the horrors taking place at the main camp, called Birkenau, Mr Avey convinced Jew Ernst Lobethall to swap uniforms and places in each other’s camp for two nights in 1944 so he could gather first-hand evidence.
    The pair met while being used as slave labour at a nearby synthetic rubber factory. At the end of their shift one night, Mr Avey changed into Mr Lobethall’s stripy uniform, took his ID card and returned with the Jewish prisoners to Birkenau, also known as Auschwitz II.
    Mr Lobethall donned the Briton’s Army fatigues and walked back to Monowice, known as Auschwitz III, where he would find valuable food and rest.

    Martin on December 14, 2009 at 10:08 am

Let this f*** bomb ass bitch tell it. Every thing is anti-semitic. Fuck yall jews hows that 4 anti=semitic? I wasnt thinking about seeing this film but now I taking the family tomorrow!!! It will be a great day in the world when Iran pushes Israel into the ocean!!!

[Note From DS: F-word in H4R’s anti-Semitic comments edited by DS–asterisks inserted.]

Hater4real on December 12, 2009 at 3:38 am

    Hater: Adnit it–you’re not going to take your family anywhere. You can’t afford it.

    lexi on December 12, 2009 at 11:23 am

Hater4rreal only proves Debbie’s point. When a nazi who at least is honest enough to admit he’s one, mentions that he now is looking forward to taking his family to see the film, now that he knows what it’s about – then you know how right Debbie is.

Larry on December 12, 2009 at 6:00 am

Thank you, Debbie, for your reviews which reach into the subtext of the stories. Liberals respond to the subtext as well but just don’t baldly state it; they “just happen” to like the same movies that move us towards identity politics and liberal-fascism. You are honest and tell us exactly what to expect. I did happen to see Princess Bride and thought it was charming, funny and interestingly stylized (and I generally hate Disney and Dreamworks animated for their non-too-subtle repellent liberal undertow). I also saw Invictus and– surprising to me–liked that, too. It was much better than Amelia and Milk (two other recent movies paying obeisance to liberal saints). Invictus had something of the innocent spirit of Remember of Titans. Though set in South Africa, it is pure Clint Eastwood Americana in its optimism. I’ll be interested in your take on these if you see them–they’re not as bad as you might expect!

As for An Education (which I saw two weeks ago), I’m a fan of novelist Nick Hornby (High Fidelity and About a Boy) who wrote the screenplay, and although your point about the “bad guy” being a Jew is well taken (there probably is an anti-Semitic subtext–nothing occurs accidentally in films), on a more positive side, the film does warn teens that if they lie to their parents and look for shortcuts, they can get in trouble. That is, it’s a conservative cautionary tale for teens, something in short supply. I had a problem with the ending, but won’t say what.

Keep up the good fight, Debbie.

Burke on December 12, 2009 at 7:23 am

Ah, the secular progressives are at it again and I’m not the least bit surprised. Don’t worry I won’t be seeing either movie, one for the Jewish slap in the face and the other because both Ryan and Hutton are two Hollywood liberal idiots. I’m keeping my money for movies and actors who share my conservative views, which means I don’t go to the movies.

Eileen on December 12, 2009 at 12:08 pm

Well, thankfully at least, the leading man was not made up to resemble “The Eternal Jew”. If the Jew had never been YHVH’s chosen he would not be so hated as he is today. Hate a Jew you hate G-d. You will be damned if you do not repent. My favorite part of any movie is at the end where they hang the Nazis. Debbie you do a masterful work and you have people in Seattle who love and respect you. Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas from a Christian friend.

Bobby, the Zionist Gentile on December 12, 2009 at 3:11 pm

The UK is the least anti-Semitic country in Europe. Just look at the history of 20th century.

I live in the East-End of London, an area that until recently had a large Jewish population. Most of the Jews have gone or moved out.

Tower Hamlets, which includes Whitechapel, has a very large Bengali Muslim population. A few years ago a half-Jewish half-Black MP, Oona King, was elected as the local MP. She hardly even acknowledged the existence of anyone else. In her victory speech she specifically thanked the local Bengali people.

However, after the invasion of Iraq local Muslims turned on her and voted for that nutter George Galloway.

They are the anti-Semites not indigenous Brits.

BTW Please, make a distinction between Pakistanis and Bengalis. Bengalis are from the former East Pakistan. If you look up the East Pakistan/Weest Pakistan war you will understand why even in London Bengalis and Pakistanis do not live beside each other. ( 500 thousand rapes ) Tower Hamlets has about 70 thousand Bengalis and Newham, the adjacent borough has about 70 thousand Pakistanis.

Richard on December 12, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    If Britain is the most Pro-Israel country in Europe, Europe is a graveyard.

    I love all the haters, particularly the Brits. It would be nice if your wombs weren’t dead, but in this delightful scenario of 2030 that is coming up, you’re going to be the ones who are gassed.

    Occam's Tool on April 12, 2011 at 4:36 pm

Anti-Semitism as depicted in “An Education” is revealing about the depth of Jew-hatred in Europe today. Earlier this week, I saw “Max” on cable TV about the fictional friendship between a struggling artist named Adolf Hitler and a Jewish art dealer named Max Rothmann. His murder, coming right after a violent speech by Hitler against the Jews that sends Nazis out on a murderous rampage, reveals the existence of a straight line from the word to the deed. It also clarifies powerfully for us that art is not neutral and in the wrong hands, it can have very damaging consequences on the lives of people. After nearly a century, you would think people would have learned by now how poisonous hatred – Jew-hatred in particular, can be to society. Sadly, that lesson has yet to sink in – particularly in Europe.

NormanF on December 12, 2009 at 8:12 pm

Perspective, haters. Anti-Semitism, hatred of Jews exists because God set the children of the Promise (not ALL of Abraham’s children) apart as His special posession.
So you could say that Jews are living evidence of the existence of God, Whom the World hates (and wants to ignore) even more than it hates Jews.
But someday…Zechariah 8:23
Debbie, thank you again for fighting the good fight against hatred and ignorance.

Douglas Q on December 12, 2009 at 8:17 pm

When I read your description of David as a “charming gentleman,” I thought immediately of Beatrix Potter and the “gentleman with sandy whiskers.”
Ms. Bragin, in her review, mentions the infamous Nazi propaganda film THE ETERNAL JEW. Has anyone besides me noticed the similarities between THE ETERNAL JEW and Bram Stoker’s creepy short story “The Judge’s House?” The Judge is not a Jew, but he looks and acts, for all the world, like the Jew in Nazi propaganda.
Happy Chanuka to all.

Miranda Rose Smith on December 13, 2009 at 5:49 am

If SERIOUS MOONLIGHT is such a good film, its good that it will go quickly to DVD release. I’ll get to see it sooner.

Miranda Rose Smith on December 13, 2009 at 5:52 am

The Liberals preach hate about jews and you blast a conservative?
Weird!

JP on December 13, 2009 at 12:44 pm

Seems like this movie borrowed its plot from the Nazi propaganda film Jud Suss

Sultan Knish on December 13, 2009 at 12:48 pm

The one thing that is conveniently ignored by your review is the fact that AN EDUCATION is a true story. It is based on a memoir by the award-winning journalist Lynn Barber and the character played by Peter Saarsgard was in reality the notorious slum landlord Peter Rachman. AN EDUCATION is a wonderful film with a leading performance by Carey Mulligan so good that she is the favourite to win the Best Actress Oscar.

Hunter on December 13, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    The film apparently connects the Saarsgard character’s cruelty and selfishness with his Judaism. Also, is a memoir by an ex-lover an impartial biography of a human being?

    Miranda Rose Smith on December 14, 2009 at 1:47 am

    If the villain in this “true life story” had been gay or bisexual, do you think that the director would have depicted that? I doubt it very much. Anti-Semitism is on he rie and has become “respectable”.

    JulieJ on December 15, 2009 at 8:58 am

Well if you Jews don’t like it then leave Britain and go back to your own country. Europe is a continent for Whites and you are not welcome there, or in America for that matter. Go boo-hoo in the desert where you belong, Marxist pigs.

[Note from DS: “Ares” lists as his e-mail (probably fake) “obamaruinedusa@aol.com”. Yet another anti-Semitic conservative, whose numbers seem to be growing quite rapidly. DS]

Ares on December 13, 2009 at 3:34 pm

What’s with the random jab at Pat Buchanan? Do you honestly think that Pat hates jews?

Christopher Nelson on December 13, 2009 at 6:02 pm

    Yes, Pat hates Jews and has defended Nazi war criminals and even wrote an article questioning whether the Nazis actually gassed people! After that gem, he was banned from publishing in the New York Post. His hatred of Israel and of Judaism is so awful that his slimy articles could be written by radical Moslems. As for this film, I was uncomfortable with the villain being Jewish although there was one scene in which the young woman tells off the head of the school (played by Emma Thompson) after she makes the comment about “his people killed our Lord.” This movie was too, too weird.

    JulieJ. on December 13, 2009 at 6:34 pm

      Patsy Buchanan is a pervert.
      He is a sterile mule who blames his misfortune on the Jews.
      He was raised on Father Coughlin radio shows.
      Typical.

      lexi on December 14, 2009 at 11:34 am

Does the fact that a film – especially one based on a true story – has a Jewish villain necessarily make the film anti-Semitic? Seems to me that that would mean that a huge number of films are anti-Catholic/anti-Christian, given how many feature priests, bishops, or religious laymen as villains.

Edgar on December 13, 2009 at 8:26 pm

    A whole lot of films ARE anti-Christian.

    Miranda Rose Smith on December 14, 2009 at 1:44 am

Is this site a parody? I just uncovered it, and I can’t tell.

Take your time in answering.

Gabe T. on December 13, 2009 at 10:41 pm

The thing that got me about the film was the overt sexism and stereotyping. The smart girl turns out to actually be very dumb, and the dumb girl is made out to be funny and endearing. What’s more, the girls are completely void of their own moral compass when it comes down to wanting to keep their men. I found the movie to be despicable on those terms alone,and hadn’t thought about the antisemitism. I will be sickened if this movie wins any awards.

Ms. Manners on December 13, 2009 at 11:45 pm

    Dear Ms. Manners; Good point.

    Miranda Rose Smith on December 14, 2009 at 2:14 am

So are you saying that Jews should be exempt from being portrayed as villains in films? By that logic any race or nationality could make the same complaint about any movie. As an American white male I couldn’t count the number of times people such as myself have been portrayed as villains in movies, I don’t lose any sleep over it though. I think most people are smart enough to realize that Jews are good people, those that are haters won’t be swayed either way.

Ken Royall on December 14, 2009 at 12:36 am

    Dear Mr.Royall: No class of people is exempt from being portrayed as villains (or fools) in literature and movies and any class of people can gripe about it. The film shows the CHRISTIAN British as a bunch of saints and openly connects David’s cruelty and lechery to his Judaism. A Streetcar Named Desire connects Stanley Kowalski’s drunken wife-beating to the fact that he’s a Pole. Did you, as a child, love Eric Knight’s classic children’s tearjerker, Lassie Come-Home? It oozes and drips with REGIONAL prejudice, the contrast between the stalwart Yorkshiremen and the whiny, incompetent, sycophantic COCKNEY kennelman. Bram Stoker, W. Somerset Maugham, even Hans Christian Andersen, portray American tourists as stupid.

    Miranda Rose Smith on December 14, 2009 at 2:04 am

    Hollywood turns itself into knots in order to not have a Muslim or Black villain.

    lexi on December 14, 2009 at 11:30 am

So what? The villain is a jew. Are you saying that it is impossible for a jew to do this? There are many many jewish villains. Madoff comes to mind.

So Ms. Schlussel please stop with the shock routine! Just because the villain is a jew then movie becomes anti-semitic?

Mark Potok on December 14, 2009 at 1:54 am

It a little different when the those who love to make Christians the heel, in turn become the heel themselves. Hollywood & showbiz are full of jews, and atheists who love to belittle, make fun off, and besmirch the name of Christ & Christians alike.

John on December 14, 2009 at 1:55 am

    Dear John: You’re right.

    Miranda Rose Smith on December 14, 2009 at 2:21 am

    f you are an “atheist”, how can you be a Jew?????? Hollywood is filled with Leftists. Period. What this has to do with Judaism is beyond me. You are a bigot, by the way.

    JulieJ on December 15, 2009 at 9:03 am

Pity the Jews.. Pity the Jews…
It is fact, not opinion
that the jews have been known for centuries to be a
dangerously subversive element.

When this is brought more to the attention of peoples,
they cry: “Anti-Semitism!”
The jews are corrupting America. The jews are satanic.
The jews behind Stalin were responsible for 35 million deaths
in a very short time period.
I could go on and on..
so don’t give me this bullshit about anti-semitism.It doesn’t work on people who have gone and educated themselves with facts.

Jake on December 14, 2009 at 2:16 am

WOW, i just read this article on Fight Hatred about the movie An Education. You completely echo the author’s viewpoint!

apparently all the critics have been raving about this completely anti-Semitic movie, ridiculous!

anyway, she explains why the movie is anti-semitic to dissuade any nay-sayers.

It’s a really well-written article…if anyone wants to check it out, here’s the link:

http://www.fighthatred.com/reader-contributions/the-wandering-jew-in-an-education-the-anatomy-of-an-anti-semitic-film

Aviv on December 14, 2009 at 7:35 am

I hope you do see “The Princess and the Frog.” You might like it. I did.

Ghostwriter on December 14, 2009 at 5:47 pm

Jews and conservative values? Ha, thats a laugh. Jews aren’t subversive at all? AIPAC, anyone.

Forrest on December 14, 2009 at 9:58 pm

Memo to Director: avoid at all costs portraying the “cad” as a Muslim, We dont want death threats or riots do we?
The Jews will suffer in silence though. Take 1!

leigh on December 15, 2009 at 4:30 am

An anti Semetic film? I don’t agree with this but put things in perspective. Liberal Jews in Hollywood have been spewing out anti Christian films and films that promote liberal progressive values for 50 yrs. I resent this and accuse this subset of Jews of elitism and gross anti Christian bias. I am aware of the Muslim threat but am loath to give liberal Jews who I see as degrading society, a pass. Any Jews that support American values and traditional values I support and applaud. A short list might Include Ben Stein, Krautenhammer, Kristol, Medved etc..

Deb, the liberal mush that was created and led by some of your own has made us ripe for Muslim infiltration. Why don’t you bust their asses too? Oh sorry, I guess I’m anti semetic because I disagree with you.

Samoyed on December 15, 2009 at 5:02 am

    Boy, are you dumb! ‘Liberal Hollyweird Jews” are Jews in Name Only. There are Catholics in Name Only (like the Kennedys) and JINOs. Please don’t paint with a broad brush!

    JulieJ on December 15, 2009 at 8:59 am

Jews vote about 90% Democrat in every Presidential election. It’s not just the Jews in Hollywood. In every poll they are seen to have very liberal opinions. The bad part about this is that this 2% of our population runs for office, writes columns and articles, leads liberal organizations and is pretty much the dominant force in entertainment. I wish they would just STFU and be doctors and lawyers. If you are a conservative you have no choice but to consider that their social influence has been mostly negative. Freud, Communism, sexual revolution, radical feminism, TV and movies that push the envelope. They also have produced a huge following of gentile synchophants. Besides Debbie I don’t see many Jews willing to rise up and fight Muslim infiltration of the USA. I don’t get the fact that I seem to suport Israel more than many Jews.

S: Wrong on a couple of counts. It’s more like 80% of Jews vote Dem in the Prez elections, and in the last presidential election 78% of Jews did. As for those who run for office, there are several conservatives, like Congressman Eric Cantor, and there was me. One problem is the incompetent pan-terrorist Republican Jewish Coalition, which worked against me when I ran for the Michigan House and instead works to help Islamofascist supporters, like Darrell Issa, and Tom Campbell get elected. DS

Samoyed on December 15, 2009 at 12:47 pm

Very disturbing that the young girl realized she was surrounded by bad guys (who were stealing) yet conveniently looked the other way. She was no such an “innocent” – and neither were the parents. Yes, this was well made – but so was Triumph of the Will. The more I think about it, the more disgusted I am with this movie.

JulieJ on December 17, 2009 at 12:34 pm

“Samoyed” invokes “Freud, Communism, sexual revolution, radical feminism, TV and movies that push the envelope” as if they are invectives by default. People can pretend ignorance of this fact all they want, but it’s a real “Duh!”: dispossessed people DO tend to support change. The sooner we put aside this racial exceptionalism nonsense the sooner we realize that racism is the biggest scam ever perpetrated on our species, and was manufactured to pit one group of the working masses against another. And promoters of racism (and that unfortunately includes some Communist regimes) do fear integration, for integration builds the kind of solidarity among workers of all hues and ethnicities that can liberate us all from state and deity. Radical corporate capitalism as it exists today in the U.S. means perpetuation of racism. But not to worry – the workers are mingling.

Lech Hsu on December 27, 2009 at 4:38 am

First of all, I definitely agree with Richard and Martin. The UK has always worked in the interested of Israel, more than any other European country. The UK is pro-Israel in its blood. Which is one thing the United Kingdom has in common with the USA, the most pro-Israel country in the world. And the UK is conservative in comparison to the rest of Western Europe. In terms of liking for the Jews, the UK served as a refugee for the Jews during WWII. And it was the UK that declared that a Jewish home would be made in the Middle East. And whe morons on Yahoo! answers said is bullshit.
NONE of the UK’s former colonies are Muslim countries at all. Two of the UK’s most notable former colonies are Israel, the NATION OF THE JEWS, and India, A HINDU country that sides with Israel, unlike the Muslim countries. Plus one of the Muslim countries, Lybia, was an ITALIAN colony, NOT a British one. The British are more friendly with the Indian Hindus than they are with the Palestinians. Italy shares a lot in common with the former USSR, when it comes to being anti Israel.

Adam on July 31, 2010 at 7:13 pm

And East London was one of the biggest Jewish communities in Europe in the past. Don’t know much about now. The UK has always been pro-Israel and pro-the Jews. All other countries in Europe are pro-Palestinians, even though Italy and Germany are friendly with the Jews, but not neccarily friendly when it comes to relations with Israel.

Adam on July 31, 2010 at 7:14 pm

PS, Sky TV is pro Israel.
Don’t know about BBC’s politcal affiliation. If anyone could say what it is, tell me. I believe that given it’s pro-Labour history, it’s more anti Israel.

Adam on July 31, 2010 at 7:16 pm

France is the most pro Islam country in Europe.
Britain is the most pro Israel country in Europe.

Adam on July 31, 2010 at 7:25 pm

Are you kidding me?
It’s a movie about a girl that gets con’d , and you people are calling it anti-semitic?
Who cares if the villain is a Jew?
A large amount of people in the UK is non-white. Would you rather have the villain white, showing the “white man” as an evil Nazi?

Here where I am from, no one cares if a villain or hero is white or non-white, as long as it portrays a good story. And as long as people accuse others of stereotyping, stereotyping will never cease to exist.

Alex Ross on April 18, 2011 at 1:43 am

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