Alan & Naomi (1992)

Based on the book by Myron Levoy.

Director:

Sterling Van Wagenen

Writers:

Myron Levoy (novel), Jordan Horowitz (screenplay)

Stars:

Lukas Haas, Vanessa Zaoui, Michael Gross

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lukas Haas	...	Alan Silverman
Vanessa Zaoui	...	Naomi Kirschenbaum
Michael Gross	...	Sol Silverman
Amy Aquino	...	Ruth Silverman
Kevin Connolly	...	Shaun Kelly
Zohra Lampert	...	Mrs. Liebman
Victoria Christian	...	Mrs. Kirschenbaum
Charlie Dow	...	Joe Condello
Randy Williams	...	Ken Newman
Mary McMillan	...	Mrs. Landley
Richard K. Olsen	...	Finch
Stacey Moseley	...	Gloria
Mark Fincannon	...	Mr. Kirschenbaum
Becky Wyatt	...	Norma
Derek Knott	...	Larry Dennison

Storyline

Set in the forties. A young Jewish boy is called on by his parents to help a young girl come out of her shell, imposed after she watched her father die at the hands of the Nazis.

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Plot Keywords:

girl | jewish | boy | reference to charles lindbergh | new student | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alan E Naomi

Filming Locations:

Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$259,311 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Leucadia Film Corporation, Maltese Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Allied)

User Reviews

Every few months I keep coming back to this film

Alan and Naomi is an unforgettable film of incredible depth, humanity, and vision; on so many levels it's just about impossible to list them all. Every scene is lovingly crafted and there isn't a moment that is superfluous to the film. Every scene builds upon the next until the exceptional ending, one of the most powerfully climactic scenes I've ever seen in my life.

The story takes place in the early 1940's and a young girl is saved from Nazi Germany along with her mother and brought to Brooklyn, New York. Little Naomi is catatonic because she saw her father murdered right in front of her eyes. Alan is a Jewish boy who lives in the same apartment building. His mother asks him to spend time with Naomi, just so that she can feel she has a friend, and maybe she will be able to heal. Alan at first is very angry that he has to give up his stickball games with his friends after school just to sit with Naomi, who doesn't even acknowledge his presence. Then slowly Alan grows to care about Naomi and to think less and less of himself, and more of her sorrows and struggles. In the process Alan grows up.

All the acting is first rate here, and the sets and music are perfect to make one feel one is actually back in time in America during World War Two. Sold on the Feature Films For Families website and Amazon.com and highly recommended.

I don't think in this day and age that the historical topics broached in this film have lost any of their relevance or significance. It's good for children to know that history tends to repeat itself but that human beings can learn from the past if they choose to do so and try to rise above past mistakes. Only giving children today a diet of superficial Disney shows doesn't exactly make them well-educated. Take a break from the high school musicals and watch Alan and Naomi with your children. You'll be glad you did.