Film review: 'Aaron's Magic Village'
There's nothing particularly magic about "Aaron's Magic Village", an artfully animated but weakly told tale based on Isaac Bashevis Singer's "Stories for Children".
Despite its generous ethnic seasonings, including song lyrics by Sheldon Harnick ("Fiddler on the Roof") and enthusiastic, Yiddish-peppered narration by Fyvush Finkel, the family-oriented animation feature (originally dubbed the catchier "The Real Shlemiel") is curiously bland, unsatisfying fare.
Sneaking in a limited theatrical release before its video arrival via Columbia TriStar, the picture lacks the element of universal appeal that would have enabled it to travel beyond a regigious market.
Recently orphaned, 10-year-old Aaron (ably voiced by young "All My Children" veteran Tommy Michaels) and his trusty companion Zlateh the Goat (Tovah Feldshuh) goes to live with his Aunt Sarah (Feldshuh again) and Uncle Shlemiel (Ronn Carroll) in the Polish village of Chelm.
Upon his arrival, Aaron discovers that his uncle, like the majority of Chelm's dumb and dumber denizens, isn't exactly the brightest bulb on the, uh, Hanukkah bush. As a result, it's up to the youngster to stop the evil Sorcerer (Steve Newman) and his gigantic clay-and-water Golem from destroying the world, starting with Chelm.
Of course, Aaron ultimately succeeds in his mission, with a little help from good old Zlateh and the Lantuch (Ivy Austin), a centuries-old imp in the early stages of Alzheimer's.
Directed by Paris-based animator and "Sesame Street" vet Albert Hanan Kaminski, the film is visually rich in background detail -- a computer-generated sequence involving the Golem's destruction of Chelm is particularly impressive -- but the stitched-together Singer stories (by Kaminski and Jacqueline Galia Benousilio) feel choppy and unsubstantial.
On the audio end, the assorted vocal talent is in fine form, with Finkel delivering his wall-to-wall narration with sing-song gusto.
Speaking of songs, those written by Harnick and composing legend Michel Legrand (who previously collaborated on "Umbrellas of Cherbourg") are likable and gently melodic but ultimately forgettable. It's far more likely the kiddies will be tapping their feet out of restlessness.
AARON'S MAGIC VILLAGE
Avalanche Releasing
An Albert Kaminski film
A Benousilio-Volkle production
in association with Columbia TriStar Pictures
Director Albert Hanan Kaminski
Screenwriters Albert Hanan Kaminski
and Jacqueline Galia Benousilio
Adapted from "Stories for Children" by
Isaac Bashevis Singer
Producers Dora Benousilio and Peter Volkle
Music and songs Michel Legrand
Lyrics Sheldon Harnick
Color/stereo
Voices:
Narrator Fyvush Finkel
Aaron Tommy Michaels
Aunt Sarah, Zlateh the Goat, Matchmaker
Tovah Feldshuh
Uncle Shlemiel Ronn Carroll
Gronam Ox Harry Goz
The Sorcerer Steve Newman
The Lantuch Ivy Austin
Running time -- 80 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
Despite its generous ethnic seasonings, including song lyrics by Sheldon Harnick ("Fiddler on the Roof") and enthusiastic, Yiddish-peppered narration by Fyvush Finkel, the family-oriented animation feature (originally dubbed the catchier "The Real Shlemiel") is curiously bland, unsatisfying fare.
Sneaking in a limited theatrical release before its video arrival via Columbia TriStar, the picture lacks the element of universal appeal that would have enabled it to travel beyond a regigious market.
Recently orphaned, 10-year-old Aaron (ably voiced by young "All My Children" veteran Tommy Michaels) and his trusty companion Zlateh the Goat (Tovah Feldshuh) goes to live with his Aunt Sarah (Feldshuh again) and Uncle Shlemiel (Ronn Carroll) in the Polish village of Chelm.
Upon his arrival, Aaron discovers that his uncle, like the majority of Chelm's dumb and dumber denizens, isn't exactly the brightest bulb on the, uh, Hanukkah bush. As a result, it's up to the youngster to stop the evil Sorcerer (Steve Newman) and his gigantic clay-and-water Golem from destroying the world, starting with Chelm.
Of course, Aaron ultimately succeeds in his mission, with a little help from good old Zlateh and the Lantuch (Ivy Austin), a centuries-old imp in the early stages of Alzheimer's.
Directed by Paris-based animator and "Sesame Street" vet Albert Hanan Kaminski, the film is visually rich in background detail -- a computer-generated sequence involving the Golem's destruction of Chelm is particularly impressive -- but the stitched-together Singer stories (by Kaminski and Jacqueline Galia Benousilio) feel choppy and unsubstantial.
On the audio end, the assorted vocal talent is in fine form, with Finkel delivering his wall-to-wall narration with sing-song gusto.
Speaking of songs, those written by Harnick and composing legend Michel Legrand (who previously collaborated on "Umbrellas of Cherbourg") are likable and gently melodic but ultimately forgettable. It's far more likely the kiddies will be tapping their feet out of restlessness.
AARON'S MAGIC VILLAGE
Avalanche Releasing
An Albert Kaminski film
A Benousilio-Volkle production
in association with Columbia TriStar Pictures
Director Albert Hanan Kaminski
Screenwriters Albert Hanan Kaminski
and Jacqueline Galia Benousilio
Adapted from "Stories for Children" by
Isaac Bashevis Singer
Producers Dora Benousilio and Peter Volkle
Music and songs Michel Legrand
Lyrics Sheldon Harnick
Color/stereo
Voices:
Narrator Fyvush Finkel
Aaron Tommy Michaels
Aunt Sarah, Zlateh the Goat, Matchmaker
Tovah Feldshuh
Uncle Shlemiel Ronn Carroll
Gronam Ox Harry Goz
The Sorcerer Steve Newman
The Lantuch Ivy Austin
Running time -- 80 minutes
MPAA rating: G...
- 9/30/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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