Yossi & Jagger (2003)
83%RT Audience Score: 75%
Awards & Nominations: 9 wins & 1 nomination
A tersely told yet deeply felt romance
Yossi & Jagger is a film that proves love can bloom even in the most unexpected places, like the Israeli military. While some critics found it too lean or modest, I found it disarmingly tender and charming. Director Eytan Fox strips away anything that doesn’t present a dichotomy of conflict, leaving us with a searing and beautifully told story of two soldiers in love. The performances by Ohad Knoller and Yehuda Levi are so natural and sincere that you can’t help but root for them. It’s a love story that transcends politics and war, and it’s definitely worth an hour of your time. Plus, it’s a great reminder that love is love, no matter where you find it.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Strand Releasing
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language and some sexual content
Year of Release
2002
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Stereo
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Aspect ratio:1.37 : 1
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Runtime:1h 7m
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Language(s):Hebrew
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Country of origin:Israel
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2003 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 13, 2004
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Yehuda Levi, Ohad Knoller, Assi Cohen, Aya Koren, Hani Furstenberg, Sharon Raginiano, directed by Eytan Fox, written by Eytan Fox, produced by Amir Harel, Gal Uchovsky, drama, R rating, Israeli Defense Force, homosexuality, romance, war, soldiers, Lebanese border, secret, bond, love, tension, conflict, dichotomy, natural, sincere, touching, fragility, death, ever-present possibility, lyrical, disarmingly tender, global unrest, charm, talented filmmaker, inept romance, amateurish, naturalistic, cheap, mediocre, fast pace, independent drama, bitter sweet ending
Worldwide gross: $351,707
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $583,328
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,703
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 63,613
US/Canada gross: $267,005
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $442,845
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,354
US/Canada opening weekend: $19,395
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $32,168
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,347
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Ohad Knoller – Yossi
Assi Cohen – Ophir
Aya Koren – Yaeli
Hani Furstenberg – Goldie
Sharon Raginiano – The Colonel
Director(s)
Eytan Fox
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Amir Harel, Gal Uchovsky
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
9 wins & 1 nomination
Academy Awards
All Critics (44) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (6)
November 24, 2011 | Rating: 3/4
Wesley Morris
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
In the film’s spare running time, director Eytan Fox strips away almost anything that doesn’t present a dichotomy of conflict.
April 5, 2004 | Rating: 3/4
Eric Henderson
Slant Magazine
TOP CRITIC
It’s too lean to deserve marquee billing.
March 19, 2004 | Rating: 2/4
John Monaghan
Detroit Free Press
TOP CRITIC
A searing, tense and beautifully told film.
March 18, 2004 | Rating: 3/4
Howard Shapiro
Philadelphia Inquirer
TOP CRITIC
Levi and Knoller are so natural, so unconcerned with mugging for the camera, that what could have been a corny love story on paper is utterly sincere and touching on screen.
March 18, 2004 | Rating: 3/4
Allison Benedikt
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
If Yossi & Jagger is any indication, Mr. Fox has a bright future.
January 22, 2004 | Rating: B-
Charles Ealy
Dallas Morning News
TOP CRITIC
Featuring sincere performances and a stark, almost haunting, backdrop, the film avoids stereotypes and political posturing to capture the fragility of life when death is an ever-present possibility.
May 26, 2022
Dan Avery
Out Magazine
While it’s easy to forget that these characters stand at the crossroads of global unrest, Fox’s feature succeeds as a lyrical and disarmingly tender observation of love in war.
April 20, 2022
Shannon Kelley
The Advocate
Modest to a fault, this is no more than an anecodte about gay love within the Israeli military, but it has plenty of charm and establishes Ethan Fox as a talented filmmaker to watch.
October 21, 2006 | Rating: B+
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
August 7, 2004 | Rating: D+
Daniel Kasman
d+kaz. intelligent movie reviews
introduces a number of very human characters that we grow to care about
April 14, 2004 | Rating: B
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
Yossi & Jagger says a lot and is well worth an hour of your time, but you’ll walk away thinking it could have said more.
April 5, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/5
Don Willmott
Filmcritic.com…
Plot
Yossi is a Commander at an Israeli outpost near Lebanon. He is however involved in a secret, passionate love affair with his second in command (nicknamed Jagger). The two will often sneak off from the outpost to spend time together. A failed ambush during a full moon leaves Jagger mortally wounded and forces Yossi to finally express his love.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels praises the “sincere performances” of Yehuda Levi and Ohad Knoller in their portrayal of the two soldiers in love.
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