By Alex Turner on June 11, 2024
Richard Gere stars as Daniel Bloch, a wealthy New York bachelor who makes a shocking discovery that changes his life forever.
This premise sets the stage for ‘Longing,’ a remake of Savi Gabizon’s 2017 Israeli film. While adaptations can often bring fresh perspectives or necessary cultural translations, ‘Longing’ struggles to transcend its own limitations.
A Complicated Meeting in New York
Almost two decades after their breakup, Daniel agrees to meet Rachel (Suzanne Clément), an old flame who has traveled from Canada. Her revelation—that she had been pregnant when they separated and that Daniel has a son named Allen (Tomaso Sanelli)—acts as the catalyst for the film’s plot. However, the narrative takes several convoluted turns, making it hard to stay engaged.
The Mystery of Allen
A core theme of ‘Longing’ is whether Allen’s mysterious behavior is influenced by drugs or if his French teacher, played by Diane Kruger, led him astray. This subplot could have added significant depth but instead feels weighted down by overly verbose scenes. As one line aptly notes, It’s a decently-performed scene, but leaden—ironically and gratingly wordy.
An Awkward Reunion
Suzanne Clément plays Rachel, whose reunion with Daniel in New York is marked by awkwardness and needless bickering. The exchange over whether he could spend ’45 minutes‘ with her felt strained and detached from reality. It’s clear from the start that acclimating to this news is going to be challenging for both characters.
Unveiling Layers of Parenthood
The film explores heavy themes related to parenthood and identity, invoking a sense of ongoing tension and drama as new facts about Allen emerge. This relentless wave of newfound information keeps disrupting any sense of resolution for Daniel Bloch. Gere’s portrayal captures this turmoil but sometimes veers towards being too understated.
Larry Day makes an appearance as Jacob in a classroom scene that offers little more than a respite from the main storyline’s incessant twists. Though Day performs well, his scenes do little to propel the narrative forward.
Attempt at Depth Falls Short
Savi Gabizon tries to delve into existential questions about relationships and knowledge. While these explorations are welcome, they often get lost in an overly complex plot that seems to add complications for the sake of it. The initial setup is intriguing at least.
However, the ambition is overshadowed by muddled execution.
The Soundtrack by Owen Pallett
Owen Pallett’s original music certainly elevates some moments within the film. The jazz-infused soundtrack provides emotional grounding but isn’t enough to save ‘Longing’ from its own narrative shortcomings. It serves as an auditory tether between father and son but lacks the consistency needed to fully integrate into the story.
A Bittersweet Ending
The ending aims for poignancy but ends up feeling like one twist too many—ultimately more bittersweet than satisfying. It appears Gabizon wants us to ponder these characters’ realities deeply, yet he burdens them with excessive complexity. For all its attempts at exploring deep themes, ‘Longing’ often feels overly dramatic without offering substantial resolution.
A Narrow Audience Appeal
‘Longing’ might not be the first choice for summer moviegoers seeking lighter fare like ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die,’ but it does present a cerebral challenge worth taking on for those interested in complex familial dynamics.
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