Year: 1971
Director: Norman Jewison
Country: US
Language: English
At the heart of Fiddler on the Roof is one thing; tradition. The title itself refers the title to the precariousness of life against which tradition is a buffer and support. It is about the slow dissolve and transformation of tradition. Characters in this film wish to depart from tradition and make choices that seem chaotic and uneasy. It is not quite clear what the picture means to say about the moral implications of abandoning tradition.
In pre-revolutionary Russia, a Jewish peasant contends with marrying off three of his daughters while growing anti-Semitic sentiment threatens his village.
The themes of Fiddler on the Roof are universal, but the sensibility is distinctively Jewish. Director Norman Jewison makes the characters incredibly easy to relate to and their culture easy to be absorbed in. It's a nice folksy musical with a memorable score and charming tunes. The choreography is simple, yet effective. Palestinian-born Jewish actor Topol, who plays Tevye, will make you enthralled with his version of "If I were a Rich Man".
Jewison’s direction can be quite brilliant. He does a great job at seamlessly blending tragedy and humor, faith and struggle, happiness and suffering. It maintains an even tone throughout its run-time. We are able to laugh at Tevye's buffoonery, yet also be outraged at his persecution and the persecution of every Jewish person.
Granted, we don't see Fiddler on the Roof's characters as victims of a grand tragedy, but rather as people like ourselves. The closest film I could compare this to is maybe Benigni’s Life is Beautiful. Upon theatrical release it was immediately embraced by the public, receiving critical acclaim and later would have eight Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. Even though it's not my favorite musical, I still must give it a high recommendation.
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