Watch Tickling Leo

Tickling Leo is a deeply moving and poignant drama film that explores themes of family, identity, and memory. Set in the midst of a family gathering in upstate New York, the film follows the complicated relationships and long-forgotten secrets of the Fishkoff family. At the center of the story is David Fishkoff (Daniel Sauli), a successful lawyer in New York City, who returns home to attend the funeral of his father, Leo (Lawrence Pressman). David has always felt like an outsider in his family, particularly with his father, who always seemed distant and aloof. As David begins to reconnect with his family, particularly with his brother Isaak (Eli Wallach), he learns shocking truths about his past that force him to confront his own identity and his place in the family.

Throughout the film, director Jeremy Davidson deftly interweaves flashbacks and dream sequences that provide insights into Leo's past and his relationship with his family. We see Leo as a young boy (played by Zachary Levi) growing up in Germany during the rise of the Nazi regime, where he discovers a love for music that will shape the course of his life. We also see Leo as a young man (played by Daniel Sauli) immigrating to the United States with his young wife, Rachel (Annie Parisse), and the struggles they face as they build a life together in a new country.

As David navigates his relationship with his father and his own past, he also becomes increasingly entangled in the lives of his family members. He reconnects with his childhood friend, Cassie (Annie Golden), who harbors a deep secret of her own. He also meets the enigmatic Sara (Julie Hays), whom Leo had a close relationship with in the final years of his life. As David tries to make sense of his family's history and his own place in it, he is forced to confront the painful truth about his father's past and the toll it took on their family.

The performances in Tickling Leo are superb, particularly Lawrence Pressman in the role of Leo, who perfectly captures the character's complicated and conflicted nature. Daniel Sauli is also excellent as David, conveying a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty that makes his character's journey all the more poignant. Annie Parisse and Eli Wallach also deliver standout performances as Rachel and Isaak, respectively, bringing depth and complexity to their roles.

The film is also visually striking, with beautiful cinematography that captures the natural beauty of upstate New York, as well as the eerie and dreamlike quality of Leo's memories and dreams. The score, composed by David Lang, is also excellent, perfectly complementing the film's emotional depth and resonance.

Overall, Tickling Leo is a deeply affecting and thought-provoking film that explores themes of memory, identity, and family with intelligence and sensitivity. While it deals with heavy subject matter, the film is ultimately a portrait of the enduring human spirit and the power of love to transcend even the darkest secrets of the past. It is a moving and unforgettable cinematic experience that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

Tickling Leo is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 49.