_Exodus_ is an impressive historical epic carried largely by Paul Newman’s strong, charismatic performance. He brings a grounded intensity to the role that gives the film much of its emotional weight. The supporting cast is uniformly likable as well, creating a sense of humanity that makes the central conflict easy to invest in. You genuinely want these characters to survive, to find safety, and to carve out some kind of future in a turbulent world. Where the film falls short is in how it handles its inherently deep and complex themes. With a story rooted in trauma, displacement, identity, and nation-building, there is enormous potential for nuance and emotional depth. But the movie rarely goes beneath the surface. It touches the larger political and moral questions only lightly, often pulling back from anything that might complicate its straightforward, sympathetic portrayal of its protagonists. As a result, Exodus becomes more of an emotionally driven survival narrative than a layered exploration of the historical moment. There is nothing wrong with that approach, and the film succeeds within that framework, but it leaves you wishing for a deeper interrogation of the forces at play. Instead of engaging with the full weight of its themes, the movie focuses primarily on making sure you care about the people involved and hope they avoid harm. It is well-acted, handsomely made, and often moving, but not as rich or probing as the material could have allowed. 7/10.

The origins of the State of Israel