Watch Is That You?

Is That You? is a 2014 independent drama film that captures the essence of human connection and the struggle of dealing with loss. Directed by Dani Menkin, the movie takes place in Israel, where the protagonist, 60-year-old Ronnie, lives a dull and uneventful life working at a Santa Monica Pier photography stand. He is approached by his ex-girlfriend Rachel, who informs him of the death of his childhood friend Joseph. Rachel invites Ronnie to attend Joseph's funeral in Israel, which he reluctantly agrees to.

Once in Israel, Ronnie embarks on a journey to discover more about his past and reconnect with his roots. He soon ends up in a small village called Zikhron Ya'akov, where he meets a young and spunky French girl, Ana. Ana is in Israel to volunteer at the village's puppet museum and quickly becomes friends with Ronnie, who she helps search for his friend's family.

During his travels, Ronnie discovers some bittersweet truths about himself and his past as he comes face to face with the chasm between his current life and the memories that haunt him. The movie moves at a deliberate pace, allowing the characters to sink in and the emotionality of the story to take hold.

Alon Aboutboul delivers an outstanding performance as Ronnie, a man who is metaphorically and physically lost in life. Aboutboul envelops Ronnie with emotional vulnerability and sincerity, making the audience sympathize with him. Naruna Kaplan de Macedo as Ana offers a natural chemistry with Aboutboul on screen, adding a lightness to the movie while also driving Ronnie's character to self-reflection.

Rani Blair as Rachel offers a small but important performance as she becomes a point of reference for Ronnie's past. The chemistry between Blair and Aboutboul is undeniable, blending the right amount of nostalgia of a lost love with sadness and hopelessness.

The cinematography in Is That You? is striking, with the Israeli landscapes serving as a perfect backdrop to the characters' inner emotional states. Combined with a carefully crafted soundtrack, the movie achieves an emotional depth that tugs the heartstrings of the audience.

Is That You? tells a story of life, love, loss, and regret in a unique and nuanced way. As a character-driven film, it captures the complexities of the human experience, featuring heartfelt performances from its cast, as well as its central themes on a search for identity and reconnecting with one's roots. It depicts a love letter to life itself, which resonates with the viewers who would relate to its themes on a personal level.

In summary, Is That You? is a well-crafted independent film that exhibits the struggles of human experiences in multiple ways. Its strength lies in its storytelling, where it infuses emotions with culture and tradition, creating a seamless blend of tenderness and heartbreak. The script, direction, and performances, all blend to make this movie an emotional journey worth watching for all cinephiles.

Is That You? is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 46.