In 1974, Golda Meir, played by Helen Mirren, attends a hearing where she is asked to speak about The Yom Kippur War in 1973, during her tenure as the Prime Minister of Israel. Sworn in to tell the truth, she reflects and recounts her experiences. Despite dealing with several health challenges at the time, Golda was responsible for the lives of millions. When she received some unsettling news from spies with little time to prepare for a possible war, Golda called for various meetings, questioned the potential outcomes, and pondered the future of Israel from every angle.
Soon after this meeting, it was announced that the armies of both Egypt and Syria had launched an offensive attack against Israel with the aim of inflicting high levels of suffering and utter destruction over Yom Kippur. As a result, Golda, a politician and not a soldier, must now meet with various leaders in power, including the military, to make tough decisions about how Israel will respond to the attacks. This includes deciding whether to risk the lives of soldiers.
Golda is a drama and historical war film directed by Guy Nattiv, who has directed films such as Skin (2018) and Strangers (2003). Golda will appeal to you if you are interested in history or war; however, viewers who are not interested in these topics may find the film dull and drawn-out. Most of the slow-paced plot involves conversations or shots of wars, Golda’s struggles with health, and moments of solace while smoking. I suspect many viewers might lose interest as Golda moves from one conversation to another and meets with different leaders. While the premise promised something moving that viewers could emotionally invest in, unfortunately, it failed to make a lasting impression and impact on me.
Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Golda was impressive, but nothing new from the actress. Her costuming and mannerisms in emulating the real-life Golda were noteworthy. The creative choices behind the camera were also interesting. For instance, the slow transformation from black-and-white visuals to colour, slow-motion shots, dream sequences, and camera tilts and turns during key moments all aim to make the audience feel unsettled and uncomfortable throughout Golda’s journey. While some parts of the movie are symbolic, I found them vague and unclear.
Overall, Golda will be of interest to those who enjoy history, drama, and war-related content. Helen Mirren’s performance in the film is decent but not new or impactful. While the film provides informative details and a compelling story, the pacing and flow are uninteresting. Although the film should have been emotionally engaging and intense, I felt disengaged and unmotivated, which was unexpected. Golda is a shallow feature that fails to reach its ideal potential.
Golda (2023) is available on Blu-ray starting September 18th, thanks to Via Vision Entertainment!
4.1/10
1st May 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
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