Jakob the Liar

  • Review Date: September 19, 2005
  • PG-13
  • Genre: Drama
  • 1999
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Anemic Holocaust tale may stir kids' interest.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that kids will see hung bodies, beatings, shootings, torture, and psychological cruelty under the Nazi regime. The main character, Jakob lies repeatedly in an attempt to buoy hopes in a Jewish ghetto during World War II.

  • Jakob lies repeatedly, but only to buoy hopes.
  • Beatings, shootings, torture, hung bodies, and psychological cruelty under Nazi regime.
  • Not applicable.

What's the story?

Imprisoned within a Jewish ghetto in Nazi-occupied Poland, Jakob Heym (Robin Williams) overhears on a German radio the heartening news of Russian army advances. By sharing this forbidden information with a select few, he not only risks his own life, but the life of young Lina (Hannah Taylor-Gordon), who he's secretly harboring in his attic. Rumors begin circulating that Jakob has a radio of his own. Suddenly he's treated with respect. The community clings to him for hope and for news. Because they won't believe the truth, he begins feeding his desperate companions lies about allied advances against the Germans. Hope breeds bravery and talk of an uprising, and Jakob is elected to lead the resistance against their captors.


Is it any good?

 

Following closely after the success of Roberto Benigni's Life Is Beautiful, this sentimental, watered-down tale (adapted from Jurek Becker's 1969 book) of one man's wartime attempt to spread hope fell through the cracks, despite star Robin Williams' box office magnetism. In the right movie, with his shtick and his histrionics seriously curtailed, Robin Williams can be a very capable actor. His characters in Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society) ably communicated both humor and emotional depth. But in JAKOB THE LIAR he delivers a Moscow on the Hudson performance, putting on an accent and a costume and asking audiences to forget his reputation for manic comedy even though scenes are filled with light humor. As a result, taking Williams seriously as a ghettoized Jew is nearly impossible.

Because director and co-writer Peter Kassovitz softens the reality of the Holocaust, the movie plays more like a Hogan's Heroes episode than the serious drama it alleges to be. But what may be less than satisfying for adults can be a good stepping stone for children taking an interest in the subject. The Nazis aren't terribly menacing, the scenes of violence and psychological torture are relatively mild, and the themes of perseverance and selflessness are strong.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about war and prejudice. Families may also want to discuss lying and the spreading of false hopes. Was it okay for Jakob to lie for good purposes? How can lies, even when meant to make people feel better, still harm?


This review was written by Kate Pavao
Teen, 14 years old
July 8, 2010
 
Has some scary images along with confusing story plot.
i loved ths movie but some of it i just didnt get and one scene of the movie was frightining and really disturbing. Holocaust vilonce at this strong of a level is not for kids 11 or under.

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Teen, 14 years old
November 26, 2009
 
An ok movie with lots of frightening images
The movie was ok but a little hard for me to understand. The movie also included a lot of frightening images of dead people being hung, bleeding surverly, and being shot. I think only kids 12 or 13 will atleast somewhat understand the movie. Any kid below that age will find themeselfs scared and confused.

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Teen, 14 years old
November 7, 2009
 
a failry complicated movie that only mature kids will understand
This movie was pritty good. It has good leasons on how lies can do harm and bring peace. Some parts of it were slightly borin and complicated for me to understand. Younger kids won't understand the film and will be very desturbed by the images that they display in the movie. But still if your child is atleast 12 or 13 this a GREAT movie for them to watch.

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Teen, 14 years old
December 2, 2009
 
i agree witht the other two reviews!
i agree with the other reviewes! the movie had lots of scary images and it was very hard for me to understand.

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This review was written by Kate Pavao
Studio:Columbia Tristar
Cast:Alan Arkin, Hannah Taylor-Gordon, Robin Williams
Genre:Drama
Run time:120 minutes
Theatrical release date:September 24, 1999
DVD release date:December 26, 2001
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:violene and disturbing images

This review was written by Kate Pavao
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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