Here's what some of nation's top critics said about Golda's Balcony - The Film...
The New York Times, Jeannette Catsoulis
“COMPELLING”
“GOLDA’S BALCONY allows its star to exercise her considerable comic talent.”
Los Angeles Times, ~Kevin Thomas, 10/19/07
“HARPER’S MEIR A DRIVING FORCE”
“Harper becomes Meir – and all the other people in this film. It is a splendid adaptation...stunning...” “Harper’s Meir is a plain, direct woman of immense strength and courage, capable of acknowledging that placing Israel before family exacted its price.” “Harper and GOLDA’S BALCONY generate tremendous influence and timeless meaning.”
New Republic, ~Stanley Kauffman, 11/5/07
“VALERIE HARPER IS SPLENDID”
“It is a lovely piece of work and it fulfills its intent – a tribute and an embrace.”
Village Voice, ~Ella Taylor, 10/10/07
“EXCELLENT”
“[With a] divinely adenoidal whine...the actress (Harper) superbly serves up Israel’s least photogenic and (next to Yitzhak Rabin) best loved prime minister...an ‘Iron Lady’ for the ages.”
Jewish Week, ~George Robinson, 10/4/07
“[Harper’s] Meir is a fully-rounded character, with dark shadings in abundance.” “[Director] Jeremy Kagan transforms an acclaimed one-woman play about Golda Meir into an ‘intimate’ cinematic experience.” “A deft and frequently moving adaptation of William Gibson’s one-woman show on the life of Golda Meir.”
“...[HARPER] BEAUTIFULLY CAPTURES THE NUANCE OF THE LARGER-THAN-LIFE FIGURE...”
“...fans who only know Valerie Harper as ‘Rhoda’ will probably be surprised at her complete transformation into the legendary Israeli Prime Minister, Golda Meir.” “...the fundamental power of Harper’s performance, a revelatory turn that’s transformative in every sense of the term.”
NBC, ~Jeffrey Lyons, 10/22/07
“Valerie Harper gives a wonderful performance in GOLDA’S BALCONY, a deeply absorbing movie.”
New Jersey Jewish Standard, ~Eric Goldman, 10/12/07
“Valerie Harper is masterful...” “A fascinating adaptation of...William Gibson’s play, GOLDA’S BALCONY.” “[Director] Kagan keeps us actively watching and following her every word in...fine filmed theater for all of us who adore Golda.” “[Director] Kagan deserves kudos for a job well done.”
The Hollywood Reporter, ~Frank Scheck, 11/19/07
“...thoughtful, frequently humorous.” “Valerie Harper delivers a powerful solo performance as famed Israeli Prime Minister, Golda Meir.” “A well-modulated, highly effective turn that is ultimately quite moving.”
Salon.com, ~Andrew O’Hehir, 10/12/07
“HARPER’S PERFORMANCE IS REMARKABLE”
Hadassah Magazine, ~Tom Turgend, 1/08
“In a tour de force, Valerie Harper portrays Israel’s indomitable Prime Minister (Golda Meir).”
Reel.com, ~Gary Goldstein, 10/12/07
“Strong performance by Valerie Harper.” “Actress [Harper] embodies the role with gusto, warmth and low-key humor.” “Harper’s deep reflection of this pivotal time [1973 Yom Kippur War] gives the film its greatest power...gripping and heartfelt.” “A moving and vital story with many satisfying moments.” “Harper’s impressive recreation of Israel’s great ‘Iron Lady.’”
Susangranger.com, ~Susan Granger, 10/07
“Not only is this poignant portrait of Golda Meir riveting and powerful, it also reminds and enlightens us about the origins of the current Middle East crisis.”
Rec. Arts. Movie Reviews, ~Mark L. Reeper, 10/9/07
“POWERFUL AND WELL-ACTED...”
“Harper’s versatility shines through in her playing dozens of characters...” “It is an amazing feat – for her to wear Golda Meir’s makeup and still make herself look and sound like Henry Kissinger.” “This is a performance full of such small wonders.” “GOLDA’S BALCONY is a powerful and moving portrait of the life and crises of Golda Meir. It is a film that deserves to be experienced and remembered.”
EmanuelLevy.com
“Harper gives a riveting performance as Golda; Israel’s beloved politician.”
L.A. WEEKLY, ~Ella Taylor, 10/18/07
“[Harper] is Israel’s best-loved Prime Minister as well as every other player in Jeremy Kagan’s excellent adaptation of William Gibson’s stage play.”
“...REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE...”
“You don’t have to be Jewish to love GOLDA’S BALCONY.” “Remarkable performance by Valerie Harper in this one-woman show from the Broadway play, focusing on Israel’s former Prime Minister, Golda Meir.” “With a tour de force performance by Valerie Harper, GOLDA’S BALCONY is among the most moving one-person shows I’ve seen, either on stage or screen...alternatively tearful, funny, and always majestic.”
“Abounding with stories that give the audience insights into Israeli history, family conflict, and political epiphanies. Here is more proof that the printed page is not necessarily superior (snobbish views to the contrary) to the screen or stage, as a simple reading of the text would scarcely convey the depth of Ms. Harper’s riveting performance.”
“Harper draws us into the personality, conflicts, and all of Israel’s leader, lending intimacy...”
“[Meir’s] life is given a poignant, three-dimensional, loving performance from Valerie Harper. No happy-go-lucky ‘Rhoda’ this time around, Ms. Harper IS Ms. Meir.”
