Michael_Elliott
Ellis (2015) *** 1/2 (out of 4) Robert DeNiro narrates and is featured in this short film, which is a tribute to Ellis Island. Basically we see DeNiro walking around and narrating his story of an immigrant and what happened to him on the island.At just fifteen-minutes this is a pretty good short that works on many levels. Technically the film is extremely impressive and especially the cinematography by Andre Chemetoff. The camera-work is really some of the best that I can remember from any recent movie because it pulls you into the story but it also manages to make you float into the past where the narration is talking about.DeNiro is also in fine form here as the narrator. Eric Roth's screenplay is direct with its words and there's no question that the film works as a tribute as well as having something to say about immigration. DeNiro manages to turn in a tender performance as he tells the story of one man, his dreams and his outcome.
Pete Mitchell
I watched this for two reasons: I love history, and Ellis Island has plenty of it, and DeNiro who is arguably one of the greatest actors of all time. I found it lacking. Through the short film I found myself absorbed, thinking this was one of my favorite actors' personal story. Alas, that was not the case and there was no mention at all as to the identity of the young boy who was being characterized or the young girl who died. The film was the worse for that omission of these pertinent details. By the end it seemed more like a plea for donations to a cause to keep Ellis Island as a national monument. It was heartfelt but I felt betrayed at the end.
alpineinc
Confused by the earlier review here, but for those of us on US shores that are intimate with the profound import of Ellis Island to this country, it's a touching tribute to those who were hoping for a better life but were either quarantined or turned away, and reflects on the continuing struggles of immigrants today as well. The enigmatic French artist JR evokes an unsettling portrait of the ghosts of the Ellis Island Hospital complex, abandoned for over 60 years and rarely granted public access, and Robert DeNiro, in a refreshing contemporary serious turn, deftly narrates and embodies the travails of one particular immigrant as we travel through the crumbling hallways and cracked windows of the past. A perfect subject and location for a short film, and a heartfelt homage to not only the US but the universal immigration experience. It's only 15 minutes, and it's free. Watch it.
Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"Ellis" is a 2015 15-minute live-action short film directed by JR, no idea who that is, and written by Eric Roth, academy Award winner for "Forrest Gump". We see some solid shots, occasionally artistic while listening to Robert De Niro, who tells us the story of an immigrant that arrived at Ellis Island. I must say immigration and refugees were among the most-discussed topics in 2015, at least here in Germany, so there is an interesting connection to this short film. Still, I must say I am missing some substance here. It never felt really relevant to me and interesting to anybody who isn't a refugee themselves or has a connection to the Island that is the center of this little movie. Sadly, this is on-par with the forgettable movies De Niro has appeared in for a while. Sucks to see. I like him. But I cannot recommend "Ellis". Thumbs down.
AD
