A delightful drama that focuses on father-son relationship, Footnote’s story highlights egos and power struggles in an area so narrow most audiences wouldn’t be familiar with: Talmud (a collection of Jewish scriptures) Philology. Yet, as an outstanding film, the narrative’s background (prestige over winning acknowledgment for Talmud research) is only but a tool to explore a façade of human dilemma.
Writer-director Joseph Cedar does a terrific job moving the plot in a manner that is at once entertaining, engaging and dramatic. He uses plenty of creative cinematic devices, especially at the film’s start, to fill out details so that the viewers can be brought quickly up to date and take part. Cedar’s work is further enhanced by excellent performances led by Bar-Abba and Ashkenazi in the main roles.