Cupcakes (2013)

When the cast 'finally' do the song at the very end, it made me even more irritated at the whole thing, they sounded beautiful together, and only did one lousy song.The rest of the movie was involving itself with acceptance on various issues, I guess the song was supposed to be something that makes all of us feel good about alternative lifestyles snd different ways of thinking, BUT I was watching the movie for real music and singing, it did not deliver on this.A whole movie and one song, U would think they would have gone through the effort to do a couple moreA real waste of real talent and frustrating for someone looking for a real musical movie

My interest in this film came out of Eytan Fox's previous work. Walk On Water is one of my favorite films, and all of his previous films have been serious and gay-positive. A friend saw it at a local festival last year, and recommended it.I just caught it on Netflix and as I watched it, my smile grew larger and larger. Clichés are in place, as a broad mix of people come together to put on a "Eurovision" type show. This gives another perspective to life in Israel.It probably lost something in the translation to subtitles, but ultimately the narrator's reflections on life take a back seat to the old "let's put on a show" plot line. There are many serious moments, as when the parents of one of the gay couple say they accept the relationship, but discretion is required. Each of the six participants has a back story, not always clear (subtitles?) but it's a comedy and corny as it may be, we have a happy ending.

Mixed feelings about this Israeli whimsical farce. On the one hand, the movie can be a warm hearted feel-good flick. Yet, on the other hand it can be filled with contrivances and stereotypes, that will be accepted by some viewers while others might be turned off. For me, I thought the best way to enjoy this film was to just go with the farcical flow of it all and not be too judgmental.The story centers on a group of neighbors and friends, who have gathered together, in Tel Aviv, to watch the glitz and kitsch of the annual UniverSong international competition. When the group recognizes the sadness of one of their members, Anat (Anat Waxman), they break out into song to try and cheer her up, led by the one professional singer there Efrat (Efrat Dor). The impromptu song is recorded on a cell phone, and ends up being sent to the Israeli committee, who really like it and want the mostly amateur group to represent them at the following year's competition of UniverSong. Of course, they'll be plenty of "bumps along the road" and lessons to be learned as the group strives to make the Paris competition.In summary, I thought all the ensemble cast members performed their roles well in this film, directed by Eytan Fox, who co-wrote the script with Eli Bijaoui. Not everything works here, and as mentioned there's contrivances and stereotypes, but just going with the flow I was able to find it in the end to be a feel-good experience.

Six lonely people find fulfillment thanks to an international song fest in Paris. Six lonely, comfortable middle class Israeli--5 woman and a gay man--are yearning for meaning in life.A commonplace them in film, to say the least. There's enough sugar to give us diabetes, Yet, as a comedy it sends up a smugness in today's Israel: complacent, empty with creature comforts that don't much to assuage existential angst nor ennui. Cupcakes blankets today's Israeli reality of inflation, tight housing, endless war against Palestinians, yet gay tolerant and colorblind. The music is a saving grace as the narrative is hiccuped along with past winners of Eurovision songs. The Israeli entry is a mirror reflection of an illness of the country's soul that tries to put an emoji on a sad reality.