The third installment in Barry Levinson's Baltimore Trilogy, AVALON tells the story of a Jewish family immigrating to the United States in pursuit of the American dream. Starting in the early 1900s, the Krichinsky brothers begin to arrive in America one at a time, scrimping and saving to pay for the next relative's trip to the land of opportunity. As the brothers find success in Baltimore, their family grows and they face new challenges. First-generation American cousins Jules (Aidan Quinn) and Izzy (Kevin Pollak) shorten and Americanize their last names, build a small empire with their ever-expanding discount store, and move to the suburbs. Patriarchal figure Sam (Armin Mueller-Stahl)--who proudly reminisces about his initial arrival in Baltimore on the Fourth of July--and his brothers find it hard to understand the younger generation. Levinson does a fine job of capturing the emotions and ties that bind families together, juxtaposing the loss of family interaction with the advent and rising popularity of television. The top-notch ensemble includes Joan Plowright, Elizabeth Perkins, Lou Jacobi, and a very young Elijah Wood.
The experiences of several generations of a Jewish family in Baltimore comprise the main focus of AVALON. As the younger generations become more and more Americanized, they loosen the very close family ties that the older generations seek to maintain. From poverty through prosperity, the Krichinsky family faces the changing world with enduring humor and abiding love.
Theatrical release: October 5, 1990.
Filmed on location in Baltimore, Maryland.
Director Barry Levinson grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where the film was shot. He shot several of his other films there, including DINER and TIN MEN. AVALON was his first film since winning an Academy Award for RAIN MAN.
As Roger Ebert noted, Avalon refers to the neighborhood in Baltimore where the film is set. But in Celtic mythology Avalon is supposed to be an island of blessed souls located somewhere in the western seas.
Levinson was nominated for the 1990 Director's Guild of America's Outanding Directorial Achievement Award.
The baby David was played by Ava Eileen Quinn.
The film was shown at the 1991 Brussels International Film Festival.
Excerpt: "I can't belive you cut the turkey!"--Gabriel Krichinsky (Lou Jacobi)
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Single Side - Dual Layer
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 2.0 - English
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
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Review 1:
"...A generous and touching film....Warmly and broadly acted by a large cast..."
Source: New York Times
p.C1 10/05/1990
Review 2:
"...AVALON is impressively scaled, with picture-perfect camera work....It's a superbly well-turned-out film..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.F1 10/18/1990
Review 3:
"...Exquisitely crafted....Rich period details, abundant scenes of humor and heartbreak and outstanding performances..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.45 10/18/1990
Review 4:
"...Graced by often striking photography on spectacular international locations..."
Source: Variety
01/27/1988
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