Review of Yossi

I rarely write reviews but this movie had quite an effect on me because I could relate to it on different levels.

But first, I've read the positive and negative reviews of the movie and I understand that it can be misunderstood if you are looking for quick "action" and a predictable story.

You need to first see the first movie, Yossi and Jagger, to understand this movie and the nature of gay rights in Israel then and now. Then it was more restrictive and had a direct impact on how Yossi viewed the world, especially given what happened to Jagger.

Now in the movie Yossi, he is experiencing the loss and still feels the restrictive nature of Israel while he was a soldier. But then he meets someone and awakens from his current life when he meets someone. This is what I was able to relate to - meeting someone who wakes you up to life and shows you a new side to life. And more importantly, accepts and loves you despite of (or because of) your imperfections. In other words, you don't need six pack abs to be loved in the gay world.

The movie ended where it should - with hope for a new future.