Yossi

Yossi is one of those rare sequels that manages to live up to the original. If you saw "Yossi & Jagger" (and if you didn’t, see it), you were probably as blown away as I was by this beautiful story of an Israeli Army officer’s love for a soldier who dies in his arms.

Now a doctor living only for his work, which proves ultimately unfulfilling, he is surrounded by colleagues who sense his profound unhappiness but can’t diagnosis it. Not quite in the closet but not out, he does what people in such circumstances do: He masturbates to porn (we get a glimpse of Michael Lucas’ great film "Men of Israel," totally appropriate); he deflects the ministrations of a smitten nurse and a horndog fellow doctor; and, in a heartbreaking but totally realistic scene, he is humiliated by an Internet hook-up.

Forced to take a vacation, on his way to the resort city of Eilat, he offers a group of soldiers a ride. At the hotel, a young out-gay soldier manages to break through his defenses and gives him one of the rarest gifts life can offer to anyone, a second chance at love.

Ohad Knoller in the title role gives a beautifully modulated performance. As his love interest, Oz Zehavi is equally good, although it’s his deep blue eyes, full lips and oozing sensuality that will really grab you.

Eytan Fox’s direction builds slowly but so realistically that you come away believing in the power to love to heal a broken heart.

’Yossi’
Strand Releasing
DVD