The Zigzag Kid

More often I like a film less then the book. In this case I appreciate the film maybe even better then the book (which I enjoyed a lot).

In the beginning it was a bit weird to me to see the characters appear in a different part of the world: Western Europe instead of Israel. But I think the makers did a good job. It didn't take out the magic I experienced in the book. (Yet, I don't see the necessity to have the story take place in Europe. Maybe only budgetary reasons?)

Although I read the book a few years before, I still experienced the storyline to be unpredictable, so it didn't become boring anywhere. On the contrary, it kept on surprising me and my daughter in a pleasant way. This certainly is due to the gifted hand of David Grossman (writer of the book).

IMHO a nice film for children between the ages of 10 and 14. Most likely too difficult for most younger kids, because of the mixing of past and present happenings in the same scenes, which can cause a lot of confusion if not well understood. Also possibly hard for younger children to see what is fiction and what is only happening in Nono's fantasy.

The Zigzag Kid" (2012 release from the Netherlands and Belgium; 91 min.) brings the story of Nono, a young boy who is just 2 days shy of his 13th birthday and along with it, his Bar Mitzvah. Nono's dad is Jacob, the best police inspector in the whole world. Jacob is teaching his son the tricks of the trade, in hopes that Nono will follow in his footsteps. Yet Nono gets in trouble a lot too, so much so that Jacob is about to send Non away to live with his stern Uncle Sjmoel. In a parallel story line, we learn that Nono's mom Zohara died when he was only 1 year old, and all he has left of her is a picture. Jacob, whose 'secretary' Gaby is really his girlfriend, has always been very reluctant to say much about that time, and Nono wants to find out the truth. As Nono gets on the train to go to his uncle, he receives a mysterious letter that gives him chance to do so. To tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: first, I was completely unprepared for the utter brilliance of this movie, which brings a mixture of a coming-of-age story, with zany capers and wacky adventures, along with a boy's longing his for long deceased mom. It is all done with the most subtle of touches, and surely Belgian director (and co-writer) Vincent Bal can take a lot of credit for this. Second, the movie is set in the mid/late 1960s, and I was very impressed with the production set, which is immaculate from start to finish. Check out all of the vintage cars (I love those old Peugots and Citroens)! This is also reflected in the original movie score (by Thomas de Prins), which is patterned after the sound of that era. Third, the acting performances are stellar throughout, none more so than young Thomas Simon in the title role. as he brings the perfect mix of charm, wonderment and being bewildered. Check out as well Isabella Rossellini in the smaller role of the mysterious lounge singer Lola.

I saw this movie at the 2014 Jewish & Israeli Film Festival here in Cincinnati, where it played to an enchanted crowd of adults, teenagers and younger children. This movie is rated PG, and I'd say this is one of the best "family" movies I have seen in a long time, where everyone from age 7 to 77 is sure to enjoy this from start to finish. If you are in the mood for a top notch foreign movie that will delight you in the most unexpected way, "The Zigzag Kid" is a can't-miss. HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

my mother translated the book from its original Hebrew to Spanish, and I had the chance to read it in Spanish before anyone else. I have to say that I was every moment waiting by my mom's table as she went on finishing chapter by chapter and page by page... I couldn't wait to read what was about to happen next to this little Nono in his journey to his mother's past through his incredible adventure.

So yesterday evening I was amazed to see that the movie was on TV. I was so excited that I told my children to stay awake to see the movie.

I didn't like it at all. I think it does not match the beauty and the magic that is in the book. In the book, the story takes place in Israel, but in the film i takes place in Europe (between Holland and France) and I don't understand why. There was no need to change this wonderful and touching story to make a class B story.

The actors were so unbelievable, including Isabella Rossellini.

I hope there might be another production of this great book that will match the sensitivity of the book.