Alan & Naomi (1992)

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.

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:

jewish | girl | boy | post traumatic stress disorder | teacher | 

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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 USA:

$259,311

Company Credits

Production Co:

Leucadia Film Corporation,Maltese Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Allied)

Did You Know?

Goofs

After admitting to his parents that he was playing stickball instead of visiting Naomi on the fourth day, Alan throws himself face-up on the couch and puts a newspaper over his face while his shirttails, which are not tucked in, fall back revealing his stomach (at 0:33:39 on the Feature Films for Families version and again at 0:34:25). As his father comes to the couch Alan's shirttails are neatly arranged, covering his stomach and belt (at 0:34:36).

User Reviews

a poignant film. Haas' performance is exquisite

The plot, which you can read elsewhere on this page, seems slim and easily dismissable; one can imagine an ABC afternoon special made on the same themes. The film's grace, however, is achieved entirely by its performances. Lukas Haas, as an American Brooklyn boy initially irritated by his Jewish heritage, is wonderful to watch as his character grows in affection and charm. Michael Gross is surprising in his affable characterisation of Alan's Dad -- not a far stretch from his "Family Ties" role perhaps but charming nevertheless. The film is mawkish in a few instances but on the whole it is incredibly bittersweet and poignant. See this movie.