We missed the cricket demonstration

that was held on Sunday after the matinee of Wonderous Oblivion, but saw the movie tonight. Simple plot. London, 1960, working class, brick row house neighborhood. Holocaust survivors live amongst very English neighbors and are the object of prejudice until the black Jamaican family moves in next door. Twelve year old Jewish boy only wants to play cricket, but is not good enough to make the team. The Jamaicans put a cricket net in the backyard and the Jamaican father plays every evening with his two daughters. Jewish boy becomes part of the family (his parents' displeasure not withstanding) and becomes adept at the game and makes the team at his school. The former school outcast is now a big man on campus and invites his friends to a birthday party. They come, and when the Jamaican girl next door knocks on the door he sends her home. End of friendship between the boy and his neighbors. Also, end of budding romance ("We shouldn't be doing this") between Jewish mother and Jamaican father. In the meantime, Jamaican house is fire bombed, Jewish man rescues Jamaincan father from the smoke, everyone makes up, Jamaicans invite them to a Jamaican picnic with cricket, Jewish boy accepts invitation even though it means missing big school game, Jewish parents decide to move to Hendin, Jewish boy rebels, but Jamaican father tells him he must go with his family. Good feelings all around. End of film.

Very moving. Very well done. Very anxiety provoking. At the Avalon (our membership non profit theater).