Golda – A Limited Perspective Biopic (Early Review)

When it comes to biopics, filmmakers are often faced with plenty of material to comb through which could make a daunting task for audiences. Therefore, as of late, many films have chosen to focus on a certain period in the lives of their subjects to make them more palatable by using them in the context of such periods to make a larger point. Regarding Golda, a biopic of former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, it’s unclear what its point is or whether or not it does its subject matter justice (that’s always up to interpretation). Painting the story with such broad strokes and seemingly content with sitting on the fence about its subject and subject matter, it becomes difficult to make any kind of deeper emotional connection. The final product lacks enough cohesion to create enough of an emotional impact as its very limited perspective prevents it from painting a full picture. Keeping the focus on Golda herself, the film kept audiences at arm’s length from much of the story that surrounded her and her impact on it. This made it essentially amount to Helen Mirren, as Golda, reacting to things but the lack of that other side of the equation and depth rendered it and her decent performance moot.

Golda takes place during a high-pressure part of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir’s (Mirren) tenure, the 19 days of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. As the country found itself on the verge of destruction, she in turn found herself in a precarious position, having to navigate the tense local geo-political climate and forces within her own government as neighboring Egypt and Syria set their sights on the country as the Jewish population was set to celebrate Yom Kippur. Put in a near-impossible position, Golda, a career politician, was no military mastermind so she had to lean on her inner circle who did not all necessary believe in her as a leader as the lives of millions laid in the balance. Far from a perfect person, she was full of flaws, with her ailing health perhaps being her biggest one, but all her people saw was the outcome of her decisions which were not always received well. Those decisions also put her under fire as she and her government subject of an inquiry of the war and the events leading up to it.

Though there were plenty of mistakes along the way, the real challenge for Golda was that of doing what was best for her country and that came at a cost which was not lost on her. Over the course of the film, the story merely consisted of Golda deliberating with her inner circle and reacting to the results of her actions as she could only watch (or listen) as legions of Israeli soldiers lost their lives as the country came under attack. To distract from its lack of depth, the film’s overuse of closeups of Golda only became increasingly hollow and repetitive without the full context of what she experienced. In the end, all she wanted was to avoid bloodshed and for Israel’s sovereignty to be recognized but she was not willing to back down in order to get that. Golda would not let her country and her people be opressed like she was. While her resolve was definitely tested, she eventually prevailed partly thanks to the help of US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (Schreiber) brokered a peace deal between the warring countries.

Ultimately, the best part of Golda and the only thing that held the film together was Mirren’s strong performance as the titular prime minister. Paired with some great makeup work, she single-handedly does most, if not all, of the heavy lifting literally. Suffice it to say that it would not have worked without her as she provides all the emotion as she imbues layers of pain and anxiety through the faintest of facial expressions. Though powerful more often than not, that’s all the film really allows her to do. The film’s sheer lack of depth made that work mean very little in the grand scheme. While she is compelling to watch, it’s a shame that the film did not have her do more as the story offers only a snapshot of a snapshot of a moment in the life of Golda Meir. Meanwhile, the supporting cast did just enough to be noticeable. However, the film was indisputably Mirren’s. The argument could be made that it is Oscar-bait which is fair, however, it is nowhere near that level.

At the end of the day, Golda is a limited biopic that will inevitably connect with some audiences more than others but its extra limited approach only works against it regardless of what Helen Mirren may do well. Though many will gravitate to the film for her, she could only do so much.

still courtesy of Jasper Wolf, Bleecker Street/ShivHans Pictures

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.