Am I Nuts or Is An Education a Jew-Bashing Polemic?
Do I live in a parallel universe or am I the only person to find the British BBC feature film An Education anti-Semitic?
I appreciate the story is based on the true-life experiences of Observer journalist Lynn Barber and that her bestselling book of the same title is regarded as a classic tale of coming of age in 1960s Britain, but is it not also a relentless polemic about the seven deadly sins all wrapped up in a tawdry Jewish package? A close friend and colleague described it to me as “Der Sturmer wrapped in a sweet teen pic.”
What is fascinating is that many reviewers ignore the Jewish element and describe the film as a delightful teen tale that reminds the writers of their respective youth. GQ calls it “a sly and sexy treat” while the Sun deems it “gymslip love.” Still another, the Daily Mail, calls it “big in heart,” and Sky Movies calls it “a gem.” New York touches on the Jewish angle. Without a doubt it is a well-made, entertaining, and at times gripping story of a teenager, Jenny, caught up in a romance with a man, David, old enough to be her father and her liberal parents’ acceptance of this unconventional affair.
The script makes us aware at the outset that David is a Jew and Jenny’s parents accept his presence in her life even if he is one; this I found heartwarming considering the anti-Semitism underlying many elements of British society in the 1960s. (Indeed, Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks has described present-day Britain and Europe as being in a “tsunami of anti-Semitism.”) What I found disturbing was the progression of the Jewcentric story, which shows David engaging in despicable act after despicable act. He and his cohort Daniel smart-talk old ladies and then leave their homes having stolen expensive artwork; Jenny screams at him that this is stealing but he has no scruples. David the Jew tenancy agent, in a scene shot from a long distance but depicting a large Jamaican family being moved into a house by him as a distraught-looking homeowner gesticulates in protest, installs black tenants into properties he wants to purchase and accordingly forces the price down. (He takes after a rogue landlord in Britain at that time named Rachman, but if David is the only example of Jewish property speculators, that is a pity.) David is a wide-boy and bounder (this is Britspeak for lowlife confidence-trickster and peasant-class social climber); as Jenny’s parents manifest increasing awe, he forges a C.S. Lewis signature to the girl on a Narnia volume and boasts of his cultivated Oxbridge (Oxford-Cambridge) background, evidently another lie.
While I understand the concern due to the rise of anti-semitism in the US and Europe in the past few years, I do think you’re “nuts” to see anti-Semitism in “An Education,” to use your word. That the character is Jewish is a single element of his life story. The film never suggests, not for a moment, that his Jewish heritage has anything to do with his crimes and scams. He is depicted as an outsider, and it is probably the case that in that period, Jews were outsiders, a condition that led different people to become more or less noble, depending on their underlying ethics and morals. David is less noble. In fact, he’s a shit. But it’s never suggested that he is a shit because of his Jewish heritage.
I think we’re past the point where groups facing discrimination must be handled with care in drama and entertainment. If a writer is building a character, it is necessary to give that character a religious persuasion, an ethnic identity, a personal history. That this one character happened to be Jewish is clearly not meant as a reflection on Jews in general.
Oh, no, I think you are so absolutely f#*king wrong. The anti-semitism is not just an afterthought. It is the essence of the film. I think that the film is clearly meant to be a reflection of the evil “joooos” in general and for you to think otherwise is to have your head planted firmly in the sand…. Sadly, I once thought that we, in western civilization, were “beyond this”. But anti-semitism dies very, very slowly and is still very much alive in many quarters. Never again? One can hope and pray. But who will stand in the gap and prevent a future Shoah?
>>>>>>>>Jewish David is an all-around scumbag with absolutely no redeeming features who then does the ultimate misdeed by coaxing virgin Jenny into his bed.
This is no doubt true (I haven’t seen the movie) but is the mere fact that there’s an identifiably Jewish rogue in a movie proof of antisemitism? What about Black gang members as characters in movies, for instance — are all such movies anti-Black?
It’s a true story? It may be an unfortunate time to be telling it to worldwide viewership, but I don’t know when a good one is — when anti-Semitism is stamped out worldwide (ha!)? I’d hate to see the villain become a gentile. That’s the sort of thing American filmmakers would do if the villain of a similar true story were Black; make him white so’s not to offend anyone.
Haven’t seen the film either, probably won’t. But…
Can a religion be used to label or describe people who engage in such behavior? Hillel once remarked that the essence of the Talmud is the Golden Rule (“…all else is commentary.”) Based on that, David’s not much of a Jew.
I don’t have to look any further than my own family to see behavior similar to David’s. The fact that they are ‘Jewish’ seems to me to be irrelevant. Lots of people talk the talk, whatever that talk may be.
He’s a goniff and he broke her heart, and that’s why he’s in the film. Perhaps the familiarity with his type makes one uncomfortable.
Ms. Gould,
Were such a movie or TV show made in the USA about a black man doing these things and finally coaxing a virginal white girl into the sack, the screams and screeches of “racism” would pierce the heavens. Why don’t you finally get wise? You are living in a tsunami of Jew-hatred in Britain, and you are not really welcome there – and this production is proof that the media has no use for you or your kind, no matter how many appearances you make on TV there, and no matter how many columns you have syndicated.
It is only a matter of time before “Jews to the gas” will be a common statement in the British media, accepted as an anti-Israel and anti-imperialist statement of resistance – instead of what it is – a call for genocide.
If Jews in Britain are unwilling to violently resist the Jew-hatred around them, they should just get the hell out. A canary in a coal mine, is still just a canary, easily killed no matter how sweetly it sings.
Israel beckons. Come home.
I agree with Carol Gould. I had the same response while viewing the film. So have others:
http://www.fighthatred.com/reader-contributions/the-wandering-jew-in-an-education-the-anatomy-of-an-anti-semitic-film
It’s a conundrum. Is this movie aimed at inciting Antisemitism or is its use of a Jewish villain just a plot convenience? We Jews are sensitive to our portrayal in all media as miscreants, packed with every sin and moral failing that have been assigned to us over the centuries by Jew-haters everywhere. Are there criminals among us? Of course. What we do know is that the presence of such low-lifes is far outweighed by the good we have and continue to provide to society in every walk of life.
Whether the film can be viewed as a general attitude toward Jews in England in the past or in the present is the real concern here.
If it’s British, it well might be anti-semite.
If it’s BBC, it absolutely is anti-semite and anti American.
One thing you are leaving out is that it is based on the diary of well known reporter. When I watched it, I did think it was antisemetic, but I think this was what actually happened to this girl. The antisemitic tirade by the head mistress was included because she really said that in real life. This was a real story, and this really happened. If she added a denunciation of antisemitism to the movie, it would not have been the true story.
I would point out that the girls conclusion wasn’t that it was a mistake that she went out with a Jewish person, it was that it was a mistake for her to go out with an older person. She went off to college at Oxford, and started dating boys closer to her own age. Religion really was not a factor in her life.
I haven’t seen the film, but a thought occurred to me: The David Goldman character is a thief, a liar, a cheap grifter and all-around SOB. And the ONLY concern of the parents, teachers, etc. of this young girl, the people charged with her protection, is that he’s (gasp!) a JOOOO?! Doesn’t this say something about the character and values of her larger society? Anybody else feeling it?
Carol, Whenever I watch BBC News here in the USA I get the distinct feeling that they see Western Civilization (including Israel) as the oppressor and all other cultures as our victims. “An Education” fits right into that pattern. Why Europe’s cultural elite promote anti-Western screeds I’m not sure. Maybe to pick up minority voters as the Democrats do in the USA? Or possibly because its perfectly safe to criticize Western Civilization whereas you might be at risk criticizing some other cultures? Or maybe because the Western elites are mostly wordsmiths…ie very few are mechanics, engineers, quantum physicists, farmers, builders etc. They can only derive status for themselves by condemning those whose accomplishments are at the heart of Western Civilizations tremendous success. Without the tsunami of endless attacks people would soon realize that the Western elites add little value to our society and begin to question why they wield so much power. The antidote I think is much more competition of ideas and competition in sources of information. We need more people like you Carol! Keep up the good work!
Not only does this lovely film feature a Jewish villain (the only Jew seen in it, other than his Jewish wife and children, who help to break pooooooor Jenny’s heart), but, if this is a true story, it certainly doesn’t show weeee littul Jenny in a very good light; she knows what a creep this guy is, but continues to date him anyway—or, are we supposed to see her as some sort of innocent victim of an Elder of Zion? Yah, yah, she was just a sweet young thing, it was all his fault.
(Writers are known to, ahem, exaggerate; a real story, that really happened? Keep your salt shaker handy.)
In the same vein, would you consider the movie “Goodfellas” to be disturbingly anti-Italian? Even though the Joe Pesci and deNiro characters are based on real life bloodthirsty mobsters. The same can be said about The Sopranos, THe Untouchables, etc. If a movie is made about Bernie Madoff, is that anti-semitic? Even though modern England is a hotbed of anti-semitism, and there may be a Jew-hatred agenda by the BBC, I don’t think that a film depicting a bad Jewish character is itself anti-semitic.
But consider this: a movie about the London tube bombers or those Muslim terrorists who wanted to blow up transatlantic flights using water bottles and baby formula will NEVER be made in England.
Assuming this story is true. . .
Silly girl falls for an unscrupulous, older man; ignores all indications that A. He has a really bad character, and B. He’s married.
(I mean please, even a very good con man couldn’t indefinitely hide the fact he was married, and had a goodly number of kids. She didn’t notice the discarded toys in the car? The fact he never spent holidays with her? She could never phone him at home, and, if she did, a woman, or a kid, answered? He never slipped up, and made references to “Miriam” or “Naomi” or whatever his wife’s name was, or mentioned his kids?—”Gotta take Joey to the doctor today—ooops?” Like she wouldn’t have found those letters in his glove compartment fairly early on? Shuuuuuuuure, Jenny.)
Winsome Jenny either suspected from the first he had other commitments, or actually knew he was married, but hoped he’d leave his wife for her. When he didn’t—-Ooooooh, it was all his fault, that bad Jewish con man! He corrupted her! It’s all HIS fault!
(Interesting, by the way, that little sympathy is expressed for the wife, or the children; no, no, it’s all about poor Jenny, the gentile maid betrayed.)
And, going by bagu’s link in #7, it sounds as if the scriptwriter embelishes this nasty little tale even futher, adding even more anti-semetism.
Ummm, how do you not make this particular story not offensive to someone? I mean “David” has to be a human. And, as such, he will come from some ethnic/religious background. What if they made the story with “David” being black. Does it mean it is a story racist against blacks? What if he was Catholic? Is it an anti-Catholic film? What if he were Indian/Arab/Greek? Anti-immigrant? Anti-southern European? Anti-Muslim? What if he were just a guy? Like a normal, run of the mill bloke? With the same background as “Jenny”? Well then it becomes a feminist film bashing men. Or it could be bashing older men.
One of the fundamentals of story telling is the dichotomy between a protagonist and antagonist. Usually this dichotomy is heightened by using hyperbole or generalizations. We can go through the history of storytelling from ancient times up through the modern cinema and writers invariably make one guy/gal/group look bad while making their protagonist look good.
Yes, the British hate the Jews. We all know this. Although it is really more convoluted than that–they hate Israel and deny they hate Jews, but deep down inside they have some sort of weird Jew loathing. Whatever. If they really wanted to make a statement, they’d have made “David” Israeli. That is code in the UK for the “evil jooo.” That he is merely Jewish is pretty harmless stuff. I mean this review sounds like the sort of hysterical nonsense that Debbie Schlussel would come up with.
Well, there you go……… Over here in England we have noticed that Hollywood baddies always seem to speak with an English accent. And when an RN submarine captures a German code machine, it suddenly turns into an American boat. And when Russell Crowe sails right round the world to duff her an American sailing ship, it strangely changes into a French one! All it proves is that the movie people are in this for the money – whatever pays they’ll make it.
The Jewish characters in The Godfather–Woltz, Moe Green, Hyman Roth–were rotten, but their rottenness was not traced to their lineage. Since American audiences have been conditioned to believe that British culture is superior, we are not supposed to question anything it produces. I’ve avoided movies since 2002, so my heroic stand hasn’t done much good, has it?
Sorry, but the scripts references to “Wandering Jew”, the fact that the Brits are all depicted as being nice, hardworking, non-criminal, upstanding citizens, the distasteful theme of “Jew-corrupts-innocent-English-schoolgirl” the references to the Jews stealing maps (stealing Israel?) The fact that the bigoted headmistress is eventually proved right about him. . . it leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
(As I’ve already mentioned, I have suspicions about how “true” this “true” story really is, and the scriptwriter appears to have taken it way over the top.)
Now, you can just imagine what the reaction would be if this story concerned an unscrupulous Moslem, who seduced a young woman when he had one-two-three-four wives already! “It’s Islamophobic!” “It’s hate-filled!” “You can’t judge an entire religion by just one or two bad people!” “They’re insulting all Moslems by this!” Which just goes to show, some victim groups are more equal than others; some may be mocked, while others can’t.
the brits have lost the plot. cowardly, insipid losers swirling down the toilet and clinging to the islamic turds who despise them. good luck with that.
Well, yes, Newbie, as I’ve explained, I do feel something is very wrong about the entire story; yes, if Jenny’s telling the truth, why were her supposedly respectable parents so blind to her fiance’s criminal tendencies? Why did this supposedly innocent girl continue to date him, and even agree to marry him, even after she knows he’s a thief, takes her to vulgar venues (dragged by her hair, caveman style?) and takes her virginity before they’re married? (Was she really that unwilling?)
Could it be there’s some element of payback, in the original story? (“My bad boy wouldn’t divorce his wife, and marry me!”), and the screenwriter decided to add even more embellishments?
The actual, original author, Lynn Barber, states that Nick Hornby made several changes to her story. She’s also, apparently, written a new book about this episode, wherein this time around, she blames her parents. (That poor girl! Everybody just victimized her!)
At one point in her story, the father supposedly confesses that he was impressed by her criminal suitor’s charm, his having read books, and the fact that he could offer her an easier life, where she wouldn’t need to be scared. Maybe so. (Again, there’s the whole question of the wife & family, and why didn’t the parents suspect something, even if Jenny didn’t?)
I wonder if Jenny/Lynn’s suitor impressed, not only her family, but Jenny/Lynn herself, with his wealth; that he was an attractive, charismatic “bad boy” type, not an effete wimp; that Jenny might actually have enjoyed going to “vulgar venues”, and being with a guy who didn’t give her Latin dictionaries as presents; that his criminal side only started bothering her when he made it clear he wasn’t going to marry her, at which point, he became that (*(**&&&!@@#$ Jew, and her family was shocked—SHOCKED!
Hey, Mr. Davis, a heroic stand is always worth taking, even if it does any good or not!
As for British culture. . . yes, we’re supposed to believe it’s always superior, even when, sadly, it’s not. England has produced some superb writers; one wonders what some of them would make of this tale?
A)Jewish bashing polemic or B)you being nuts. B. You’re Welcome.
Since writing this piece the following impassioned and eloquent articles about the film have appeared in Israel and the USA by, respectively, the distinguished writer Tom Tugend and scholar Dr Irina Bragin, who walked out of a screening.
http://www.fighthatred.com/reader-contributions/the-wandering-jew-in-an-education-the-anatomy-of-an-anti-semitic-film
http://www.jpost.com/ArtsAndCulture/Entertainment/Article.aspx?id=167801
Carol G
20. Judy, NYC,
I think you have summed it up in a nutshell. Touche !
Carol G
Jews must confront the fact that some atheist Jews (and on purpose I make the distinction between religious and atheist Jews, since they seem to think and behave differently even towards Israel, and to make a point about how misleading the lumping of all Jews – or any social group – under a “category” really is) have created big problems for this Nation. All would agree that B. Madoff and G. Soros, just to name two of them, have been at least very controversial as to their role in shaping the affairs of this Nation in the past few years. I could also mention as few other controversial individuals like B. Maher, D. Letterman, C. Schumer, B. Frank, A. Franken, etc. from the “arts” and “politics.” Certainly some statements these individuals have made over the years have been, to say the least, appalling.
But here is my point: a Jew is free to talk negatively about the “British culture” of the 60s, as if it were a monolithic concept, without being considered an “anglophobe.” But if anyone dares mention the “atheist Jew” culture chances are (s)he would be labeled as an “anti-semite.” Plainly, this is hypocritical.
This is an interesting discussion. Let me take it from the top.
1. Israel? I will criticize Israel, or any other country or group, or person or book or idea whenever I please for whatever reason I please. I will then be willing to take my lumps if need be for my choice of substantives but only for my substantives.
2. I am weary of this constant ethnic/religious score board: Oh, oh, my group is down one notch; Oh, oh, my group is up two notches but it should have been three. I’ve known Jews in my life; I’ve know people who I didn’t find out were Jews until long after and I’ve known people I knew were Jews up front but over time forgot that fact. My antenna goes up as soon as someone self identifies as eth/rel because I’m interested in people of good character and that does not come with an ethnic group or religion it is developed over time through a lot of difficult decisions.
3. If another holocaust were to be vectored at Jews (and I want to point out there were many holocausts in the 20th century: ask some Armenians, Kulaks or Cambodians to just name three) but if it were to happen then I expect myself, understanding that a man is a fool to predict what he might do in such a situation, to help as many as possible but I wouldn’t be helping “Jews”, I would be aiding “people”, fellow “human beings”. Would such help be as worthy without the label?
4. I haven’ seen the movie but I will if I get the chance.
There is anti-semitism in the world, and there are some jewish people using that term to attack any critism of jewish individuals or the politics of israel–this article failed to convince me of where this movie fits in that continuum. Don’t know if I will ever watch the movie–its not if a genre I favor.
So, is there some kind of double-standard here where one can say that the english hate the jews, but one cannot say ‘the jews are xyz…’?
Yes, P.T. Bull, it’s a plot! The evil, anti-British conspiracy! Because no one would ever say anything negative about Great Britain, unless there were some sort of terrible double-standard at work, here!
(The Irish have felt free to say negative things about Britain, and the British, for decades! As for British 60′s culture. . . it was pretty pathetic. Boycott Austin Powers movies! They’re part of the conspiracy!)
Could be both Carol. you could be nuts AND it could be a jew-basing flick
May I put a toe back into the water? One of my favorite British authors wrote a book (fiction,1928) wherein a character was labeled a “Jew” as if that explained all the trouble the protagonist had with him. A month ago I picked up a book about the history of MI6 and in it Sydney O’Reilly (boy, I’d like to know a lot more about him) and the woman who shot Lenin (I’d carry a lot of water for her) were identified as “Jews” in something I thought of as a jarring manner as if the woman’s bullets were somehow Jewish themselves or as if to say, “Oh, well, of course it was a Jew.” (????)
And it occurs to me to say good for you all to stand up for your selves (Jews) because no one stands up for my ethnicity or gender. Give ‘em hell if you think they deserve it.
6. Ruvy: ‘It is only a matter of time before “Jews to the gas” will be a common statement in the British media….’
There’s crazy … and then there’s West Bank crazy.
This is the BBC, therefore it is anti-Semitic.
End of argument.
Forgot about this and had to go hunt it up.
The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Jesish Teachings to Raise Self Reliant Children by Wendy Mogel
This is the best book on raising children I’ve ever read and I’ve read a few.
Just did a count of my DVD collection of 79 movies.
Number of DVD’s with jewish bad guys: 0
Number of DVD’s with white male bad guys: 63
The rest is divided like this:
Burmese villain: 1
Japanese villain: 2
Mexican villain: 2
North Korean villain: 1
Black villain: 1
Computer villain: 1
Robot villain: 2
Alien villain: 2
Also noticeable:
Female villain: 0
Muslim villain: 0
I have 4 DVD with no particular villain in it.
Conclusion: The world is entirely discriminatory against white males.
JL:
Except that nobody ever initiated the mass extermination of six million white males due to stereotypes published in state-supported magazines. Learn history.
Julius Streicher, Josef Goebbels and Der Sturmer brainwashed the German and other European masses to believe Jews were the embodiment of evil. In turn European countries — except for brave Denmark — readily gave up their Jews to deportation to death camps. Had the Allies not won the war Eichmann would have exterminated every last Jew on the planet. Slight difference from a frivolous list of DVDs.
If I had a dollar for every movie which villified white Europeans, in stereotypical ways.
How about the classic slaver sexually abusing the dark skinned girl?
Why is it OK to portray light skinned Europeans negatively? Any takers on that one?
Heck, I thought “Inglorious Basterds” is more or less anti-semitic because of the cartoonish Jewish characters and the suicide bomber imagery. Maybe I’m nuts too.
@Carol Gould: are you saying then that anyone who criticises certain Jews is a “J. Goebbels,” or an “anti-semite?”
Like those who criticise Obama are racists? Or, those who ask the question “Who really is Barack Hussein Obama” and “Why is he hiding his entire personal record” are “birthers?”
It seems to me that the radical left has invented “names” to mock, ridicule and in effect pre-emptively avoid responding to legitimate criticism or questions. And in a similar way, the atheist Jews have done the same thing with the term “anti-semite.”
One thing is certain, Political Correctness is going down in flames. Only wish this would have happened much much sooner, and didnt have to involve the threat to Western Civilization of mass immigration (especially of Muslims). Kind of poetic justice, Id say, the PC New Left achieved so much, perhaps even being the cultural zeitgeist, and then threw it all away, because someone invited the Muslims to the multicultural boot stomp all over white Euro Western Christian males backs.
We live in interesting times.
This from fighthatred.com link by Carol Gould.
“they had never been labeled “the other,” they had never felt like strangers in an inhospitable culture.”
Interestingly enough, now that Jews are the power in a nation state, Jews are now labeling other people as “the other,” and these folks feel like strangers in an inhospitable culture.
Jews now, no longer have the defense of never being the power that had to make hard choices in protecting their culture and peoples from the other. They are losing their moral authority because of it….or rather they are torn between defending Israel, and criticizing European Christians for the same policies that Israel now promotes and enforces. The ultimate hypocrisy.
Now that much of the Left is criticizing Israel, in the manner in which Jews have for so long found a home on the Left doing the same to Euro Christian nations, peoples, and governments.
They are confused and disoriented by this turn of events. Their hypocrisy for all to see. Their tribalism, their rejection of Christianity (which they hold onto even as they abandon their own faith thus rejecting Christianity becomes a central defining marker of what it means to be a Jew), holding themselves at distance to “the other.” At the same time the Western Left is aiming their sites on Israel relentlessly and mercilessly, their anti Semitism only matched by their self hatred for their Euro Christian nations, people and culture.
I really do feel for Western Jews…I know what it means to be mercilessly held to a double standard and relentlessly villified, to have your legitmacy undermined and subverted by the Left.
I am a strong supporter of Israel.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of Western Jews, continue on with the Western Left in attacking Euro Christians and their culture and nations….not returning the favor. Because in the end, its all about their tribe and what is best for them. Universal concern for minorities or the oppressed is just a term used to cover their tribalism.
We live in interesting times.
I agree. The first thing we asked ourselves when leaving the film was “Why did he have to be Jewish?” It didn’t ring true, either. His opening line, “I’m a Jew.” As if anyone would actually say that in real life. Even worse, he was a Rachman Jew, one of those ‘nasty’ Jews who were involved in the leasing of sub-standard rental properties to vulnerable third parties. We weren’t alone in our sensitivity. Another couple we met after the film agreed with us. I have to say though, among other Jewish friends who are totally assimilated and unaware of the rise of anti-Semitism in the UK, this was not noted. It’s a sad reflection of the times, I’m afraid.
You’re a strong supporter of Israel, EV; yah, right.
/sarc.
I’m Christian, and I don’t see all these supposed Jewish attacks on Chritians you’re talking about. Nor do I feel as if Jews are making me “the other”, and making me feel like a stranger in my own culture. The Left, yes—but haven’t Europeans been telling Americans for decades that our culture sucks, and that we need a nanny state, more nuance in our lives, and to stop being such greedy, cowboy, capitalist Americans? Oh, yes, and also criticizing us for supporting Israel, instead of those supposedly poor, oppressed, third-world Moslems.
I also find it hilarious when people use the Christianity excuse as their reason for disapproving of Jews—c’mon, like you actually care about Christ, or anything He taught! Europe certainly doesn’t. It’s given up on Christianity (most European churches are empty on a Sunday). So, please, leave Christ out of it.
The first thing I always ask after a film made by Jews is “why do they always vilify Germans, Aryans and Muslims?”
Solipsism is rife around here….
get a perspective people…
Each time a Jew is depicted as anything but Christlike… you all call it a conspiracy of haters…
yet Jews controlled much of what came out of Hollywood for a generation… and Aladdin was a horrifying example of the shoe being on the other foot.
Get real guys…. you are very much in control of your own press, image and the image of every other ethnicity and religion.
Not to mention destroying Christmas all around America… every year another school, city or mall yields to your demands… but if we complain… we’re the haters.
solipsism… it’s in the genes I think.
I thought “An Education” was a British-society-bashing polemic. A young girl with plenty of promise is smart enough to realize that all of her choices for the future are relentlessly boring and confining.
British society at the time was relentlessly boring. I have relatives who lived through it. It was horrible.
A handsome, intelligent, wealthy Jewish man offers to save her from this terrible fate. She grabs the chance and takes the road less travelled. He takes her out of Britain, a gift for which she is extremely grateful. Jenny thinks that the height of sophistication is speaking French. The prejudiced (British) attitude of the headmistress towards Jews repulses Jenny and inspires her decision to leave school.
Yes, he turned out to be a bum, but his wife, probably also Jewish, was not a bad person. His British friends were also as ‘bad’ as he is.
British society was stifling at that time and young women did (and probably still do) tend to make impulsive decisions. The movie was a charming analysis of what it was like to be young at that point in time.
Yes there are more anti-semitic attacks in Britain lately, but that has more to do with the fact that the Gulf States own the British government. Well, they own the parts that are not already owned by the Russians and Russia’s ally Iran. The British government’s indulgent attitude towards the Muslim Brotherhood, Hizb-ut-Tahrir and various Hamas-linked groups, combined with the reactionary rise of the BNP is creating a very hostile and dangerous atmosphere in Britain.
Blaming this on a nice movie about a young woman’s coming of age is just silly.
I’m Christian, and I don’t see all these supposed Jewish attacks on Chritians you’re talking about. — BettyBlue
Just because you are blind, doesnt mean that there is nothing to see.
Yes, I am a staunch supporter of Israel as a Jewish State, for many reasons, including the well being of Jews.
Take every GENERALIZATION on this thread
about Muslims
about Brits
about gentiles…
and change the word Muslim, English, Brit or gentile to JEW – and your account would be closed for anti semitism.
why do Jews vilify and quantify the behaviors of others with impunity…
and the rest of us are considered evil hates should we ‘notice’ that Jews have disproportionate power…. disproportionate money… and commit disproportionate economic crimes????
because WE are all bad… and of course JEWS are all saintly in their goodness???
what a bunch of solipsistic ethnocentric EVIL …..
JEWS __ HEAL THY SELF
This is hilarious.
Jews in media depict Muslims, Christians and Germans as knuckle dragging vermin since the advent of the motion picture. I cannot remember a film depicting a Jew as an economic criminal or a pedophile – yet Jewish rabbi’s are more likely to seduce a young boy [as a percentage of the population] than Priests.
Jews are more likely to commit economic crimes than gentiles by virtue of their monopoly on capital.
I’m English and German – I cannot imagine finding common ground with either ethnicity in film or politics. I am an individual.
I don’t think Jews think of themselves as individuals. A crime against any Jew, or an insult to a Jew is an insult to all Jews.
I find that highly disturbing considering the over representation of Jews in media, government and academia. It makes me think Jews should identify themselves in these fields as a disclaimer.
The reasons are sound. Jews have a sense of group identity that goes WAY WAY WAY beyond anything I’ve seen in any other ethnic or religious group.
I think I’ve hit upon the reasons for Jew hatred! People don’t like stealth allegiances in any group with this much power to advance their own interests at the expense of every body else.
It sure explains my hackles each time I read one of these screeds about poor ole Jews.
So, Jack Thomsen, as our local representative of rabid, blithering anti-Semitism, don’t keep us guessing – what did you think of “An Education?”
oops – Sorry Georgann Marks – we have 2 rabid, blithering anti-Semites here. I didn’t mean to leave you out. What did you think of the movie?
Carol Gould:
“In turn European countries — except for brave Denmark — readily gave up their Jews to deportation to death camps.”
I know. My Danish grand parents used their attic to hide Jews. If they had been discovered, I wouldn’t exist today.
Let’s make a deal. I’ll read more history books, if you promise to get to know people better, before you insult them.
The Jewish people were designated (chosen) by G-d to be a kingdom of priests and a holy people, that is to say, His means by which to educate and redeem humankind.
Unfortunately, there exist among us an evil mixed multitude who also exited from Egypt and are with us to this very day. They are often found in our religious and community leadership or are materially successful.
Although we resist facing a simple, much prophesied truth. The causes of the Holocaust were Jewish assimilation. The historical tragedy was its inevitable consequence.
It’s reassuring to see Jewish self-confidence rising, but it’s as pointless to blame the gentiles as it is to seek to ingratiate ourselves to them. Either way we just fall into their stereotypes.
We need to look inward, to root out the wrong and to become what we were meant to be, a kingdom of priests and a holy people.
Well, Ev, all I can say is, I really don’t see all these big, bad Jews, coming after poor, hapless Christians.
I do see persecution of Coptic, and Iraqi Christians in the Middle-East, by Islam; and black Christians in Africa, ditto Islam, and Filipinos—hey, Islam again! Not to mention various Islamic attacks against assorted Hindus and Buddhists. But, for whatever reason, that’s not something guys like you ever seem to worry about. Nope, it’s just the Jooooooos!
I’m sure you do support Israel. Getting all the Joooos in one place makes it easier to hunt them down, and gets them out of Europe.
If you say so, BettyBlue.
I never characterized people as “big, bad Jews” much less coming after “poor, hapless Christians.”
If you would like to have a serious discussion, let me know.
Saw the movie- did not attribute his bad behavior to being Jewish at all, just really immature and irresponsible. Have known a few cads pretty much exactly like that in my life and none of them were Jewish. I’m not a Brit, though, so I can’t say what the author intended.
“Jewish David is an all-around scumbag with absolutely no redeeming features who then does the ultimate misdeed by coaxing virgin Jenny into his bed.”
For a minute there I thought you were talking about that guy that was King of Israel a few years back, until you said Jenny instead of Bathsheba.
Speaking as someone who is, it seems, going down the toilet clutching a Muslim turd (Thanks huge fat New York lady!). What interests me is the amount of bile there is flowing around. Personally speaking, living in England, I don’t know anybody who gives a s**t about whether someone is Jewish or whatever. As I have said before, Ms Gould is a member of the GRC, and they are fascinated by their self-imposed task of stirring up discord.
Carol, you are not nuts. While appreciating the authenticity of the early 1960s suburban locations,I felt uncomfortable throughout this film because the villain of the piece was Jewish and explicitly so.
“Am I being paranoid?”
Yup, you’re totally overreacting.
Sorry, but there’s been plenty of Jews who weren’t very pleasant people, including my namesake, who I just mentioned, who was pretty much of a scumbag.
Besides, there’s endless movies out there where Jews are either sympathetic characters, or heroes. Ivanhoe and Exodus just to name two off the top of my head (and, of course, that’s not counting movies made about Jesus of Nazareth, a jew who pretty much always is portrayed in a favorable light in movies or books).
Anyway, the girl in the movie you’re describing is pretty much of a scumbag herself. She keeps screwing the guy when she knows he’s a liar and a thief, and only dumps him when she finds out that he’s ripping her off too. Not too classy. But, the fact that she’s a bit of a lowlife isn’t an indictment of the English middle class, or Christians, or anyone else, it’s just an indictment of her.
Also, as a side note, just because she claims it’s a true story, that don’t make it so.
“I cannot remember a film depicting a Jew as an economic criminal…”
Obviously, you’ve never seen “A Merchant of Venice”, or “Godfather II”.
Anyway, the girl in the movie you’re describing is pretty much of a scumbag herself. She keeps screwing the guy when she knows he’s a liar and a thief, and only dumps him when she finds out that he’s ripping her off too. Not too classy. But, the fact that she’s a bit of a lowlife isn’t an indictment of the English middle class, or Christians, or anyone else, it’s just an indictment of her.
Oh, come on, “An Education” is the standard British coming-of-age story. Stories about how stifling British society can be is the basis of most English-produced coming-of-age films, from Billy Liar to Shaun of the Dead. Alec Guinness made a career for himself by playing Walter-Mittyish characters who find some way of breaking out of British class-based prejudices and constraints. The only difference between those films and “An Education” is that the protagonist here is a girl.
I’m a Christian. Many years ago my close friend and college room mate (a Jew) predicted that in our life times we would see widespread anti-semitism in the western democracies. That Jews were too different from everyone else, and too successful not become the punching bag they were in the thirties.
At the time I told him he was nuts. I’m no longer sure.
“Oh, come on, “An Education” is the standard British coming-of-age story.”
Hey, scumbags come of age just like everyone else…and the girl in the story is pretty much a scumbag.
Hey, scumbags come of age just like everyone else…
Billy Liar was a scumbag too. That doesn’t mean that critiques of the English class system aren’t worthwhile.
It’s still hard to get a good job in Britain without having the right accent or going to the right school. Anti semitism does still exist, and it’s getting worse. Those are qualities of middle class life in Britain that are worth criticizing.
Two points of interest:
1. David Letterman isn’t Jewish. How can you not know that?
2. Why aren’t the Jews out in force burning, smashing, protesting and generally creating havoc? After all, isn’t that an accepted form of protest in Europe by Islamic masses over perceived insults and offenses?
It’d be humorous if it wasn’t so sad. People up in arms over a MOVIE REVIEW because it dares to state that the movie might be anti-Semitic. No Jewish death threats, no burning Fiats and Astons…. just a movie review. Amazing.
Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a serious discussion with anti-semites. The whole thing always ends up in fantasy land.
“Am I nuts?”
Yes, for staying in such a terrible anti-Semitic country. Why are you still here? Could it be the NHS, or the fact that you couldn’t make any money slagging off your fellow Americans, who are not – at least I hope not – quite so ignorant about their own country as they are about the UK?