Father and Son Face the Road and Themselves

Read Time:4 Minute, 20 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Road to Eilat (DVD)
–

Genre: Drama, Comedy
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 45m
Director(s): Yona Rozenkier
Writer(s): Yona Rozenkier
Cast: Shmuel Vilozni, Yona Rozenkier, Aviva Nagosa, Dover Koshashvili
Where To Watch: available now, order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Life rarely moves in a straight line, and neither does this story. What starts as a simple bet—one older man, one aging tractor, and one impossible deadline—slowly unearths years of unspoken tension, regret, and humor buried beneath stubborn pride. There’s no rush to the finish line here, and that’s exactly the point.

Albert, a war veteran with more baggage than he’d ever admit to carrying, makes a drunken wager to drive his decades-old tractor from his northern kibbutz (a community in Israel traditionally based on agriculture) to Eilat in just a week. His son, Ben—unemployed, exasperated, and not exactly thrilled about spending this time together—reluctantly tags along. What follows isn’t a grand adventure nor a journey of sweeping emotional breakthroughs. Instead, it’s a series of quiet confrontations, missed opportunities, and moments between comedy and melancholy.

The film doesn’t rely on a rigid plot but weaving together a collection of encounters and observations as the two travel painstakingly slowly across the Israeli landscape. Their interactions with strangers along the way offer glimpses into different corners of a society shaped by history. From a Palestinian security guard at an abandoned construction site to an old military comrade, each moment adds another layer to the world around them and their understanding of where they stand in it.

The cinematography captures the vastness of the landscape in a way that makes the characters feel small against it. Wide shots emphasize their isolation, not just from each other but from everything they’ve avoided facing for years. The film lingers, allowing silences to stretch, emotions to simmer, and tensions to build without always providing immediate resolution. There’s an unpolished authenticity in how the camera observes rather than dictates the story, letting the audience sit in these moments without forcing sentimentality.

Performance-wise, the lead actors carry the weight of the film. Shmuel Vilozni brings Albert to life with a mix of exasperation and humor, never allowing him to become a caricature of the gruff older man. His presence has depth, layers that aren’t always spoken but are felt in every interaction. Opposite him, Yoel Rozenkier makes Ben’s frustrations palpable but never one-note. The tension between them is sharp and raw, and the few moments of warmth that slip through feel earned rather than manufactured.

Beyond the father-son dynamic, the film digs into the long shadow of history, particularly how trauma lingers across generations. Albert’s past—his wartime experiences, survival, and hardened outlook—seeps into the story, shaping how he moves through the world. Though not carrying the same scars, Ben bears the weight of that history in his way. It’s not just about whether they can reconcile—it’s about whether they can even begin to understand each other’s pain.

That said, it won’t be for everyone. The pacing is deliberate, the structure loose, and the resolution understated. Those looking for a more conventional road trip film with dramatic reconciliations and grand emotional gestures won’t find it here.

Despite its quiet nature, the film has made an impression, earning recognition for its performances and craftsmanship. There’s an honesty to it, an understanding that not every wound heals neatly and not every conflict is resolved with a heartfelt conversation. Instead, it’s about the miles traveled, both on the road and within, and how even the smallest steps forward can mean something.

This isn’t a film about racing toward the finish line. It’s about everything that happens along the way—the missteps, the detours, and the moments where something almost changes.

Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching Overly Honest Reviews.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive free items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl, Books, etc. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices, regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.

Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.