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Robin Williams, Alan Arkin, Bob Balaban, Hannah Taylor-Gordon, Michael Jeter ... see more see more... , Armin Mueller-Stahl , Liev Schreiber , Nina Siemaszko , Mathieu Kassovitz , Mark Margolis , Gregg Bello , Eva Igo , Justus von Dohnanyi , Kathleen Gati , István Bálint

This remake of the 1975 German film Jakob der Lügner stars Robin Williams in a dramatic role as a man who uses his active imagination to bring a ray of hope where hope was all but unknown. Jakob Heym ... read more read more...(Robin Williams) is the owner of a small café during the Nazi occupation of Poland; he has little money and is struggling to keep body and soul alive in the shadow of the Third Reich. One day, he overhears a radio broadcast, forbidden to Polish ears, that reports a major victory for Russian troops over the German army. Enthusiastic about this good news, Jakob begins spreading word of the Russian army's progress through the Polish ghetto. He notices that the story gives people hope and makes it easier for them to get through the day. So Jakob begins inventing stories and passing them along, creating fictional war reports that suggest that the occupation may soon be ending. However, when the occupation troops get wind of these stories, they become convinced that someone has communications equipment stashed away somewhere, and they're determined to find both the radio and its operator at all costs. Jakob the Liar was the first American feature for director Peter Kassovitz; the supporting cast includes Armin Mueller-Stahl, Alan Arkin, Bob Balaban, and Liev Schreiber. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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62% liked it

16,944 ratings

Critics

30% liked it

71 critics

PG-13, 2 hr.

Directed by: Peter Kassovitz

Release Date: September 24, 1999

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DVD Release Date: March 21, 2000

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Stats: 513 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (513)

  • SirPant
    August 9, 2010
    SirPant
    I haven't seen Frank Beyer's original so I can't really comment on this film as a remake but I can probably take a educated guess at it's comparisons. I wont though as that is a bad habit and one should stay open-minded, that said, I will defend the fact that this is not a comedy... read more, Robin Williams and the rest of the cast are not 'milking the Holocaust for laughs' and I don't think Roberto Benigni's was either in Life Is Beautiful. It is however, a very average film about a delicate subject that deserves better.
  • mrbungle7821
    February 23, 2006
    mrbungle7821
    [font=Arial][color=darkred]In the fickle entertainment industry of celluloid, nothing can be as detremental to a film's success as timimg. And the latest Robin William's weepy not only suffers from poor timing, it cuts its own throat with the careless mistake. Coming hot on the h... read moreeels of another World War II comedy/drama known affectionately as 'Life is Beautiful' would have proved much better if the foriegn film had stayed in the art house screens and quickly come and gone. Instead Roberto Benigni's touching film made its way to big screens, broke the record for best receits of a foriegn film in America, and went on to steal all of the nation's hearts and pick up three Oscar statuettes for the mantle. The Hollywood version of Benigni's Holocaust fable proves what happens when people take something that was a miracle it worked once before, and so well, and try catching lightening in a bottle again.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]'Jakob the Liar' is never truly any form of comedy, unless you thought 'Hogans Heroes' was in dire need of a big screen adaption because all the other Holocaust movies did not accurately portray the wackiness that was Nazi Germany. Most of the jokes are so grim and morbid that you'll be gritting teeth more than smiling.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]The story can be very ham-fisted and forceful at times, interesting considering there's not much driving any story. and the end is scene-for-scene exact with Benigni's flick. Most of the performances are marginable, with many appearing to be weary that they're even in the movie. The story's addition of a little girl that William's takes under his wing for guidance is more of a distracting subplot taking attention away from the common thread of one man giving hope to the hopeless. Minus one charming scene with William's improvising a radio broadcast with kitchen utensils she's mainly a pointless addition.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]The splinter in the paw of this movie is Robin Williams himself. Anyone out there remember when he used to do comedy, not schmaltzy laiden bittersweet tug-from-the-heart-strings mellodrama? I didn't think so. Williams is more damaging a presence then anything else. Though his mugging is restrained for the most part, the schmaltzy sentimentality burns thin rather quickly. The movie tries to manipulate you into feeling for it and letting the floodgates loose with those tear ducts, but it's so clear it's not going to make you feel but manipulate that you can very easily see the strings as they're being pulled.[/color][/font]
    [font=Arial][color=#8b0000][/color][/font]
    [font=Arial][color=#8b0000]'Jakob the Liar' does have a good director at its helm to show the Holocaust as the grim reality it was and not suger-coat anything. A great deal of gratitude should go to the director for at least partially saving 'Jakob' from being worse than it could be. Though I'm of the mind that I'm positive audiences will love it and most likely bash me, I just want everyone to know that Roberto Benigni did it earlier and better and I'd stress seeing that movie instead. Because 'Jakob the Liar' can't hold a candle to 'Life is Beautiful'.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate's Grade: C [/color][/font]
  • nadyajoensen
    May 15, 2010
    nadyajoensen
    I loved this movie. Robin Williams and Liev Schreiber were outstanding. This movie is set during WW2 in Warsaw where Nazis have taken control of a community of Jews. Jakob is one of the jews and somehow the word gets out that he owns a radio which according to Nazis is not allowe... read mored. Jakob tells his fellow citizens news that he claims that he has heard on the radio and this keeps the hopes up in the community, hopes that the war will soon have an end. This truly is a touching story and it is so well played by these talented actors.
  • Lemure
    July 13, 2010
    Lemure
    I admire Robin Williams as an actor but I have no time for "holocaust" movies. To me they are nothing more than awards bait. I don't believe a single one has ever truly portrayed what actually went on, and a diet version of such events is criminal. This film tries to show the har... read moreshness but the tone is too light and nothing happens that you don't expect.
  • trisarahtops22
    January 17, 2010
    trisarahtops22
    I liked it. It was definately a different spin on the typical Holocaust movie. I liked the ending as well.
  • ileo
    December 25, 2007
    ileo
    Beautiful movie!
  • phantopp
    May 12, 2010
    phantopp
    "Jakob" (Robin Williams) is a Jew living in a Nazi-occupied Polish ghetto where the residents have lost all hope. One night, he is ordered to report to the officer in charge after being caught outside, allegedly after curfew. While he was in the office, waiting to be repremanded,... read more he overhears a radio report about the advancing Russian troops.

    When he returns to the neighborhood, he informs his friends what he had heard. However, as the news spread, his story transformed into something else. People began to believe he had a radio hidden in his home as his story began traveling through the grapevine.

    This is simply a story of hope for those oppressed such as the Jews during the Nazi occupation so many decades ago. And it is done very well.

    Let me say that this movie is not a happy story. Even the ending is shadowed by sadness, though it does have a touch of happiness.

    Williams is very good in this film. He made his character compassionate to those in his neighborhood. As he told the stories, which were just stories to keep the Jews hopes up, you began to believe them just as much as those forced into the same situation as he was in the story. He was very believeable as he told his fictional news.

    In fact, there were many good performances from the rest of the cast. You could actually feel the emotion from the entire cast. It was one of the most believeable performances from an entire cast that I've seen in a long time.

    One thing you will notice is the lack of light, and color. You get lots of gray, black and white in clothing, as well as the walls (interior and exterior). This helps set the mood perfectly if you ask me. The only time I can recall any color was a shot of the Nazi flag.

    There is also a lack of happy music in the film. There is one scene between Williams and the young girl (Hannah Taylor Gordon) that is short, but it is a happy scene with fun music.

    Wardrobes are very accurate in this film. The Jews clothing look worn, and very dirty. They look as if they didn't wash their clothing in some time. The Nazi uniforms are also quite accurate in their appearance.

    The violence is fairly mild in this film. There is a little blood, far less than you would expect. The Nazi soldiers use machine guns against the Jews, but there is little to no blood splatter as they are apparently struck.

    There is also little to no action. Many of the scenes drag on, but many drag at an appropriate pace that works well.

    To parents, I would suggest that you avoid this one if you have young children. If you have kids who are able to understand the plot, then watch it with them.
  • jacobspaulsen
    October 22, 2009
    jacobspaulsen
    Well the critics hated this movie and I'm just reminded to ignore what critics think. While you may not want to spend money to see this film I still think you will be the better for having seen it. There are valuable lessons to be learned about Human Nature and our universe from ... read morecinema and this film does it well.
  • flbeachboy
    September 28, 2009
    flbeachboy
    I do love Robin Williams and the variety in his roles. He is a great comedy actor but also knows how to bring across a more serious character like this one.
    Robin Williams is phenomenal and adds a wonderful, tangible spin in his character that helps bring the horrors of the Holo... read morecaust
  • funscrab1
    July 10, 2008
    funscrab1
    Robin Williams is phenomenal and adds a wonderful, tangible spin in his character that helps bring the horrors of the Holocaust up close and personal in a non-threatening way. Very well done.

View All Jakob the Liar Reviews

Critic Reviews

Chris Vognar
January 1, 2000
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

It's jolting that such a potentially life-affirming movie could be so lifeless. Full Review

David Hunter
January 1, 2000
David Hunter, Hollywood Reporter

Robin Williams in his best film since Good Will Hunting!

Mark Caro
January 1, 2000
Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune

I never lost awareness that I was watching actors speaking lines, not real people. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
January 1, 2000
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A markedly better picture than Roberto Benigni's far more sentimental Oscar collector. Full Review

Jay Carr
January 1, 2000
Jay Carr, Boston Globe

Jakob the Liar deserves a place alongside Life Is Beautiful and, yes, even Schindler's List.

Jeff Millar
January 1, 2000
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

The film leans from the comedic to the near-mawkish. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, At the Movies

Jakob the Liar wants the freedom of the Benigni film but doesn't want to pay the dues. Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

We have the old Robin Williams here -- the Robin Williams of Moscow on the Hudson and The World According to Garp. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
January 1, 2000
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Peter Kassovitz establishes an effectively grim, cramped yet barren setting, making respectful use of locations in Poland and Budapest. Full Review

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

None of these reliable performers can put enough spin on their roles to conjure up more than the good will they've earned in previous and better movies.

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