Watch The Kind Words

The Kind Words is an Israeli-French comedy-drama film released in 2015 directed by Shemi Zarhin. The film tells the story of three siblings, Dorona, Netanel, and Shai, who are all struggling with their personal problems. Dorona, played by Rotem Zissman-Cohen, discovers that their biological father is not who they thought he was, leading the siblings to embark on a journey to find their real father and uncover family secrets that will change their lives forever.

The film is set in Haifa, a city known for its diverse population and sometimes-conflicting cultures. The siblings come from a family of Moroccan Jewish descent and find themselves caught between their parents' tradition and their own modern and secular lifestyles. The movie humorously addresses issues of family, identity, and social norms through its relatable characters and touching storyline.

The film starts with Dorona and her husband Ofer, a lonesome musician, suffering from infertility. They visit a fertility clinic and discover through genetic testing that Ofer is not the biological father of Dorona, sparking a search for the truth about her real father. Initially, both Dorona and Ofer are surprised and confused, but they soon decide to search for Dorona's real father. Ofer tries to push Dorona into taking the lead, but she is too daunted to do it alone. Eventually, they bring their brothers Shai, who is going through a difficult separation from his partner, and Netanel, a Torah-observant scholar, into the fold.

The journey to find her father takes the family on an interesting and emotionally charged adventure. They make their way from Israel to France where their biological father, Jean Jacques, lives. Along the way, they encounter various characters who add color to the film, including a reluctant tour guide, a lonely screenwriter, and a Muslim taxi driver.

Despite their different religious perspectives and lifestyles, the siblings are closely bound by their search for their father, and along the way, they discover hidden family secrets that challenge their views of their family's history and of each other. The Kind Words touches on taboo topics such as homosexuality, marital infidelity, and even Nazi collaboration, with characters facing challenges to family cohesion and harmony.

The film shows the complex relationships that can arise in a family unit, along with the bonds that persist despite the struggles. It highlights the strength of the human spirit, emphasizing compassion, understanding, and forgiveness.

The Kind Words is a delightful and compelling film that succeeds in balancing its comedic elements with its deeper, emotional themes. The cast is exceptional, with Rotem Zissman-Cohen delivering a fantastic performance as the emotional and confused Dorona. Roy Assaf as her brother Shai brings a sense of humor and levity to the film, while Rassabn Abes' Netanel displays a level of stoic maturity necessary for the sensitive topics explored in the movie.

Overall, The Kind Words is a well-crafted movie with a significant theme of family, identity, and loyalty. Its smooth transition between the comic and tragic highlights the creative ability of the director, Shemi Zarhin. The Kind Words is recommended for viewers who appreciate thoughtful, character-driven comedies-dramas. It is an impressive film that will stay with you long after its conclusion.

The Kind Words is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 75.