Little Odessa

Released 1994
Stars Tim Roth, Edward Furlong, Moira Kelly, Vanessa Redgrave, Maximilian Schell
Directed by James Gray

At the focal point is Joshua Shapira (Tim Roth), a deeply-troubled, emotionally detached hit man who has come home to Brooklyn to commit an assassination. Although difficulties in his past make it dangerous for him to be seen near Brighten Beach, the real impediment to a return is his father, Arkady (Maximilian Schell). For, while Josh loves his dying mother, Irina (Vanessa Redgrave), and his younger brother, Reuben (Edward Furlong), there is nothing but antipathy between father and eldest son. Nevertheless, left without a choice, Josh ventures back to the Russian/Jewish community, and eventually encounters all the members of his family. While there, he also hooks up with an old girlfriend, Alla Shustervich (Moira Kelly), a young woman who is reluctantly attracted to the lonely killer.

Summary by James Berardinelli

This is an uninteresting story about uninteresting characters who do uninteresting things. It's a dark depressing film that actually looks great, but there's no chance to connect emotionally to anyone because they're all so introverted. There are a few strong scenes and performances, but they don't add up to anything. I definitely wasted my time, and that's all I have to say about that. --Bill Alward, October 19, 2002