Tension Between Danny And Reuven
“The Chosen” (1981) by director Jeremy Kagan explores the tension between ultra - orthodox Hasidic Judaism and its more cousin, Modern Orthodox Judaism. The film also provides us a glimpse into the process of cultural assimilation that Jews went through during the the early 19th century era in America. The film follows Reuven and Danny. Although hail from different backgrounds, the pair are linked in ways that are deeper than just friendship. Both the theme and the subject of the film are contained within the depiction of this pair’s relationship and its effects on secondary characters. The movie lets us witness the development of the pair’s relationship, the results of that relationship; and ultimately, show us the contemporary state of Jewish
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religious affair through that relationship. Through the friendship between Reuven and Danny, we can draw a picture of the process of cultural assimilation and the tension it creates among traditional elements.
Two key points that can illustrate this: first is Danny’s desire to break from his father’s wish and to embrace his own passion, which is psychology; second is the tension that arises when considering practical solutions. Danny, before becoming Reuven’s friend, is shown as a tense and awkward young man. He acquires this traits due to his father’s strict method of child rearing and the traditional settings that he spent his childhood in. After meeting with Reuven, we can slowly see Danny changing into a more balanced and complete individual, especially after his reconciliation with his father in the finale. There are numerous occasions where we can observe this relationship develop, however, the wedding scene is, in my opinion, the best suited scene for analysis. This scene begins with Reuven being invited to a traditional Hasidic wedding, in which we are treated with a spectacular dance number by Danny’s father. The scene goes on with the inclusion of the film signature shot/countershot technique in a conversation between Danny and Reuven. The conversation is concern with the situation surrounding
the wedding the customs that go with it. The shot/countershot technique here is essential to the appreciation of the reactions of each character and immerse ourselves in the developing bond that they are both experience. Reuven’s reservations and relative shock when hear about the wedding customs as well as Danny’s enthusiasm in explaining all that to Reuven and his sympathetic expression while doing so are some of the traits that we can clearly see thanks to the shot/countershot technique. Those reactions also further enhance the character, especially Danny. We know that he is a skeptic when it comes to his faith thanks to the early library scene, but in the wedding scene, he displays the kind of enthusiasm that is rare to see in someone that is skeptical about his religion. This development signal a change in Danny’s character: moving on from a stoic and tense character into somebody that is more empathetic and likable. This character development supports Danny’s drive to defy his father’s wish by opening Danny’s personality up to more possibilities. Furthermore, it also makes the reconciliation between the two in the end more desireable by making Danny more sympathetic.
The tension that this is at the center of this film is that between the Hasidic and the Modern branch of Judaism. This is most clearly in the dinner scene, in which Reuven talks to Rabbi Saunders about the newly created nation of Israel. Agian, the technique of shot/countershot is utilized extensively to create and maintain the tension as well as the passion between characters. The emotions that Rabbi Saunders show are intense to say the least, this reflects the tension that is present in the hearts of contemporary Jewish communities. The conflicts between Rabbi Saunders and Professor Malter also highlights this fact. However, this problem is resolved at the end when Reuven and Danny each choose his own ways into adulthood, signal a kind of reconciliation between the two branches of the Jewish faith
religious affair through that relationship. Through the friendship between Reuven and Danny, we can draw a picture of the process of cultural assimilation and the tension it creates among traditional elements.
Two key points that can illustrate this: first is Danny’s desire to break from his father’s wish and to embrace his own passion, which is psychology; second is the tension that arises when considering practical solutions. Danny, before becoming Reuven’s friend, is shown as a tense and awkward young man. He acquires this traits due to his father’s strict method of child rearing and the traditional settings that he spent his childhood in. After meeting with Reuven, we can slowly see Danny changing into a more balanced and complete individual, especially after his reconciliation with his father in the finale. There are numerous occasions where we can observe this relationship develop, however, the wedding scene is, in my opinion, the best suited scene for analysis. This scene begins with Reuven being invited to a traditional Hasidic wedding, in which we are treated with a spectacular dance number by Danny’s father. The scene goes on with the inclusion of the film signature shot/countershot technique in a conversation between Danny and Reuven. The conversation is concern with the situation surrounding
the wedding the customs that go with it. The shot/countershot technique here is essential to the appreciation of the reactions of each character and immerse ourselves in the developing bond that they are both experience. Reuven’s reservations and relative shock when hear about the wedding customs as well as Danny’s enthusiasm in explaining all that to Reuven and his sympathetic expression while doing so are some of the traits that we can clearly see thanks to the shot/countershot technique. Those reactions also further enhance the character, especially Danny. We know that he is a skeptic when it comes to his faith thanks to the early library scene, but in the wedding scene, he displays the kind of enthusiasm that is rare to see in someone that is skeptical about his religion. This development signal a change in Danny’s character: moving on from a stoic and tense character into somebody that is more empathetic and likable. This character development supports Danny’s drive to defy his father’s wish by opening Danny’s personality up to more possibilities. Furthermore, it also makes the reconciliation between the two in the end more desireable by making Danny more sympathetic.
The tension that this is at the center of this film is that between the Hasidic and the Modern branch of Judaism. This is most clearly in the dinner scene, in which Reuven talks to Rabbi Saunders about the newly created nation of Israel. Agian, the technique of shot/countershot is utilized extensively to create and maintain the tension as well as the passion between characters. The emotions that Rabbi Saunders show are intense to say the least, this reflects the tension that is present in the hearts of contemporary Jewish communities. The conflicts between Rabbi Saunders and Professor Malter also highlights this fact. However, this problem is resolved at the end when Reuven and Danny each choose his own ways into adulthood, signal a kind of reconciliation between the two branches of the Jewish faith