Preview: Lemon Tree (2009)

Synopsis:

An Palestinian woman fights to preserve her lemon tree grove from a spiteful Isreali Defense Minister who moves in next door.

• Poster: C-

Review:

So unfathomably traditional, yet not so opressively colored that it is an eyesore. The lemons, which could have been splashed across the poster in great quantities are carefully reserved for the background imagery.

• Trailer: B+

Review:

Relations between Isreal and Palestine may never be resolved, but a movie like this, with a charismatic lead like Hiam Abbas might go a long way towards helping to shine a light on the humanity of both sides of the struggle.

Oscar Prospects:

Whether Israel or Palestine would submit the film (more likely Palestine), this could be a hot favorite for next year's trophy...if it's eligible. Otherwise, this could be a chance for Hiam Abbas to build on the good will of her performance in The Visitor and snag a left-field Oscar nomination.

Release Date:

• April 17, 2009

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (April 12, 2009) Original