$9.99 (Tatia Rosenthal, 2008): Israel/Australia

Reviewed by Travis Rennacker. Viewed at the 2009 Santa Barbara Film Festival.

$9.99 is a compilation of short stories by Etgar Keret turned into a stop motion production (much like claymation, but without the clay) by Tatia Rosenthal, although I was assured that Keret was involved with the project.  The cast had some surprising veterans, including Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Anthony Lapaglia (TV-Without a Trace). The film catches you in places you didn’t know you had.

The plot jumps around an apartment complex and inspects the lives of its residence. From a single dad trying to deal with his two sons, to an old widower who meets a rather rude angel, to a kid who’s passion is soccer and soccer toys.  All of these characters are wonderful and the stories are intriguing.  This film is fun for all ages and will give something different to everybody.

One of my Favorite films at the 2009 Santa Barbara Film Festival.