Left Luggage (1998)

Set in Belgium in the early 70's, Left Luggage is the touching and emotional story of Chaja, a rebellious philosophy student stuggling to come of age. Her relationship with her parents, both concentration camp survivors, is strained and she finds herself unable to accept her Jewish identity. A family friend finds her a job as a nanny for a Hassidic family with 5 children. Joining forces with Mrs. Kalman (Isabella Rossellini) and through her love for the youngest child who doesn't speak, Chaja learns to accept and respect a culture steeped in traditions, and finds the true value of life.

Film with heart,but much predictability and lack of focus

LEFT LUGGAGE, an English speaking Netherlands film, was a tremendous film festival traveler, and is known worldwide under nine very different titles.The U.S. release refers to the luggage that Chaja's Father had buried in Antwerp,Belgium when the Nazi onslaught hit Belgium.The film then symbolically refers to the baggage that is left in the lives of the people who endured and survived the Holocaust and the legacy that is put upon the next generation.I have seen this script done countless times and far more effectively!
1972 Antwerp has Chaja (Scotland's Laura Fraser-Virtual Sexuality)as the daughter of two non-religious Jewish Holocaust survivors.Her Father cannot let go of the past, and her Mother refuses to acknowledge it.Chaja's Jewish identity has never been of any real significance to her.She takes a job as a nanny in an Chassidic household.This type of Jew is quite different to Chaja.The rules are stricter,but not all that much of the difference is explored.The parents of three boys,The Kalman's (Isabella Rosellini and Jeroen Krabbe,who also directed this film) hire Chaja to help in the household, though Mr.Kalman is initially opposed.The youngest son,Simcha,has remained mute for some reason.Chaja and Simcha form a bond and they both start to blossom as people forged in this new generation.

Edwin de Vries,(who also wrote another Krabbe film which is rather directionless-The Discovery of Heaven) wrote the screenplay for LEFT LUGGAGE, and the fact that this film is released under so many different titles to me explains a lot of the disconnect and uncertainty of purpose that I experienced with this film.There are many subplots in this film and the meandering leaves a very unfulfilling sense of where the heart of this film should be;in Sweden the film title is translated "Little Simcha"-so is the film about Simcha? I didn't think so.In Germany the film is audaciously titled "Kalman's Nanny";in Argentina, "For Love" and rather innocuously "Research of the Past" in French Canada! The fact is that LEFT LUGGAGE is a bit of all of these titles,but alas not specifically any one of them.Herein is my rub;for all it's good intentions, this film is neither a great look at Holocaust "baggage" nor a film about love for a child, nor about researching the past.You will learn little bits about lots of things, but not specifically about one.

If Chassidism is what you are more curious, I suggest The Chosen.If you are more interested in the Holocaust, there are innumerable films that are far more interesting than LEFT LUGGAGE.The same goes for a girl coming to grips with her heritage from WW2 as in (An American Rhapsody, The Devil's Arithmetic,or Music Box.

I would have to echo "Newsday" critic,Gene Seymour's "frequently moving" accenting frequently, but not always.A very cautious 3 stars. February 15, 2008

A movie for thinking and feeling

As others have already mentioned, this movie explores the psychological trauma of European Jews in the post Holocaust generation. It also looks at the life of Chaja, a young assimilated Jewish girl, who becomes connected to her people through her connection with a Chassidic family for whom she works as a nanny.

Although the film is clearly emotionally moving, particularly at the turning point, it is also intellectually stirring, as viewers are drawn to consider the meaning of virtue, community and survival.

It is for that reason that I disagree with reviewers who are opposed to the film because of its nudity. The filmmaker uses the nudity to juxtapose the values and culture of the general Belgian youth of the time to that of the conservative, religious values of the Kalman family. The swimming scene appears immediately after a scene in the Kalman home. It is shocking, both because of the content and because of the use of light (low lighting in the scene in the Kalman home, and a brightly lit day in the succeeding scene).

I rented this movie, then bought it, and am considering buying a copy for a friend. I've watched it several times. That's how much I like it. January 31, 2008

LEFT LUGGAGE

VERY GOOD MOVIE,IT'S SAD HOW TRADITIONS SEPERATES PEOPLE FROM ONE ANOTHER EVEN WHEN THERE IS

NO WAR. December 22, 2007

Great Movie!

This is a powerful movie. However, I recommend you keep the kids away. It some mature matter that may not be appropriate for the little ones. April 19, 2007

Wonderful movie

I can't say too much about this movie.
Every time I watch it I love it more. March 31, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...