In 1967, following Six Days War, Yugoslavia has broken diplomatic relations with Israel and that state of affairs remained until shortly before the Yugoslav dissolution in 1991. The decision, motivated by Tito’s personal friendship with Nasser, complicated geopolitical calculations and country’s economic interests in Arab World, failed to have much of an impact on everyday lives of Yugoslav citizens. They could still buy Israeli goods in stores, borrow books by Ephraim Kishon from public libraries and even watch Israeli film in cinemas. The most popular of those was Lemon Popsicle, 1978 period comedy directed by Boaz Davidson.
The plot is set in late 1950s Tel Aviv. Protagonist is Bentzi (“Benji” in English language version, played by Yftach Katzur), 17-year old high school student who spends most of his free time by hanging with two best friends – good-looking Momo/Bobby (played by Jonathan Sagall) and slightly obese Yudale/Huey (played by Zachi Noy). Like most of boys at that age, they are obsessed with sex and often go at great lengths to get it, which includes bizarre encounter with lonely nymphomaniac housewife Stella (played by Ophelia Shtruhl) and paying the prostitute. The woman who really gets Bentzi’s attention is Nili/Nikki (played by Anat Atzmon), beautiful girl who has recently joined their school. Bentzi is immediately smitten, but Nili is easily seduced by Momo who takes her virginity only to discard her when she informs him about being pregnant. Bentzi decides to do everything in his power to help her and even sells his possession in order to provide for her abortion, but his efforts will ultimately result in just another heartbreak.
Boaz Davidson, who co-wrote the script, claims that this film is mainly inspired by his personal experiences in late 1950s. Most of the critics at the time, however, thought that the main source of inspiration for Lemon Popsicle was American Graffiti. Main argument for such conclusion can be found in the fact both films had most of their budget spent on soundtrack. Lemon Popsicle, produced by Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, who would later build international B-film powerhouse known as The Cannon Group, apparently haven’t spared expense and the film features truly impressive collection of greatest late US rock’n’roll and pop hits from the era (with notable exception of “Ciao, ciao, bambina” performed by great Italian singer Domenico Modugno). Those songs play almost constantly in the background and, at times, sound at odds with what goes on with the plot while at times sound as perfect commentary of what goes with the plot and characters.
The script, which deals with teen love, coming-of-age and rejection, is quite generic but its universal qualities allowed to reach even those audiences who weren’t fooled by producers’ lame attempt to hide Israeli settings with lame English translation. Davidson keeps tight pace, has very good cast at his disposal and walks the fine line between sentimentality, serious issues and sometimes very crude humour which includes scenes of nudity and explicit sex. Katzur is well-cast as nerdish and tragic Bentzi, while Anat Atzmon is great as angelic, unattainable and seemingly perfect object of desire. This interesting blend of nostalgia, melodrama and sex comedy was good enough to smash all box office records in Israel and its success was followed on international markets. Lemon Popsicle spawned a popular film series which lasted until 1988 (or 2001, if Party Goes On is counted as its part). Davidson in 1982 directed shot-by-shot remake specifically for US market under title The Last American Virgin.
RATING: 7/10 (++)
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Movie URL: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/10580-eskimo-limon
Critic: AA
