Is The Appointed Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1990)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of The Appointed (1990), audiences are invited back into the world of Drama, Fantasy. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Shmaya (Shuli Rand), a small-time magician whose career consists of gigs at local venues in the north of Israel, meets Oshra (Ronit Elkabetz) at one of his shows, who possesses genuine mystical powers. Shmaya makes Oshra part of his act and together, they perform real-life feats of magic and miracles before their slack-jawed audiences. Meanwhile, Shmaya’s father – a holy man with his own loyal following, is dying. He asks his followers to bring him his estranged son, so that he can take his place after his death and lead their community. Shmaya does just that and goes on to become a spiritual leader. However, his ongoing attraction to Oshra is now on a collision course with his new calling."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Shuli Rand's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Appointed worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, Fantasy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Appointed is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 94 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.