Avalon

1990 | Drama | 126 minutes | English

Info

In 1914, Sam Krichinsky emigrates from Eastern Europe to Baltimore. It’s a city with tightly-knit Jewish Russian families. In America, Sam meets his future wife, Eva. It’s now the late 40s and early 50s and much has changed. Neighborhoods are transforming as more and more families are moving to the suburbs. Sam is disappointed that his son Jules doesn’t want to go into his wallpaper business. With his cousin Izzy, Jules wants to open a discount appliance store. Sam is also annoyed that Jules and Izzy changed their last names to Kaye and Kirk. “Good for business,” they tell Sam. Their business endures armed holdups and a devastating fire. And the world is evolving so fast for Sam. Now, he must learn to cope.

Cast

Armin Mueller-Stahl (Sam Krichinsky) / Joan Plowright (Eva Krichinsky) / Aidan Quinn (Jules Kaye) / Kevin Pollak (Izzy Kirk)

Why Stream This Film?

Of the four of Levinson’s “Baltimore Films,” Avalon most depicts the adjustments immigrants encounter in America. As the new generation grows up, the old generation struggles to keep up. A beautiful and also a heart-wrenching film.

Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 84%

Accolades

Academy Awards: Nominated, Best Screenplay (Barry Levinson); Best Cinematography (Allen Daviau)
Golden Globe Awards: Nominated, Best Picture; Best Screenplay (Barry Levinson)
Writers Guild of America: Winner, Best Screenplay (Barry Levinson)