Rent Jakob the Liar (1999)
3.3 of 5 from 57 ratings
1h 55min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Academy Award winner Robin Williams stars in this uplifting tale of hope against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II. When Jakob (Williams), a poor Jewish cafe owner, accidentally overhears a forbidden news bulletin signalling Soviet military successes against German forces, he whispers his secret good news to two despondent friends. As the information spreads, so does a rumour; Jakob must have a radio, an offence punishable by death. Observing the remarkable lift in spirits, Jakob continues to relay fictitious news bulletins about Allied advances against the Nazis, despite the obvious danger. These lies keep hope and humour alive among the inhabitants of the ghetto and optimism is reborn. When the Germans learn of the mythical radio, however, they begin a search for the resistance - hero who dares operate it... - Actors:
- Robin Williams, Hannah Taylor-Gordon, Éva Igó, István Bálint, Justus von Dohnányi, Kathleen Gati, Bob Balaban, Alan Arkin, Michael Jeter, Mark Margolis, János Gosztonyi, Liev Schreiber, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ádám Rajhona, Antal Leisen, Mathieu Kassovitz, Péter Rudolf, Jan Becker, János Kulka, Gregg Bello
- Directors:
- Peter Kassovitz
- Producers:
- Steven Haft, Marsha Garces Williams
- Writers:
- Jurek Becker, Peter Kassovitz
- Studio:
- Columbia Tristar
- Genres:
- Drama
- Collections:
- Cinema Paradiso's Euro 24 Film Festival, Remembering Alan Arkin, Top 10 European Remakes, Top 10 Films By Year, Top 10 Films of 1999, Top 10 Titles About the Golden Age of Radio
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Reviews (1) of Jakob the Liar
Black humour - Jakob the Liar review by JD
If you can get over the poor attempt at a Jewish/Polish accent and a fairly familiar drama setting of the Jewish ghettos (done rather cheaply) this has some deeply dark humour. Robin Williams' acting skills excel again (apart from the accent) and expresses perfectly the dilemma of telling his compatriots lies just to stop them committing suicide. If you are not easily offended by the setting an entertaining film.
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