In episode 4 there was a scene that best describes the problem of the "good city".
Because the kiss in question between Oz Zahavi and Amri Biton, which developed into a crouching scene between two rugged men, was supposed to be - according to the buzz and expectations - a sexy and brave event that would leave a mark in the pantheon of Israeli culture.
A breakthrough scene?
shaking?
revealing?
Just licks, rolls and a sharp strumming in the background.
Much ado about nothing.
The distance between the bold and the casual faithfully represents the personal conflict of Adam - the character played by Zahavi.
A charismatic and caring teacher, who confronts welfare and a corrupt mayor - and decides to run for mayor.
Despite the night of trouble, what blocks and deters the guy is the exposure of being gay in the closet;
He is undergoing conversion therapy and is worried that his tendencies will be used to harm him politically.
It's strange, because the PR campaign around "The Good City" used the character's homosexuality and soft sexual scenes as a major trigger to attract viewers.
So what world do we live in?
Tonight (Thursday), at 20:15, HOT3 will broadcast the final episode of the season.
Recently, it is common to see "boys at risk" at the center of Israeli series.
"Sons of Or" and "Alumim" put them in the front when the message boiled down to the establishment's poor treatment of young people from Russian homes.
But "The Good City" does not penetrate deeply with their personal stories.
Agam Bohbut experienced an attack and also shot someone, then set the welfare on fire.
All are involved in social tragedies and their troubles evaporate.
But just as Zahavi's character uses these boys to work for him in the election campaign, so the series uses the difficulties of youth to inflate the main character's story.
Not penetrating enough.
"The Good City",
It's a story about the agony of a man in a closet, about parent-child relationships, about municipal decay, there is an accusing finger aimed at welfare and criticism of society.
Since the story is based on the life of the creator and director Eliran Elia (deputy mayor, educator and gay who came out at a late age), the authenticity cannot be disputed, however the attempt to grab a rifle draws the focus, disperses it and creates a terrible instability between scenes.
The series does not collapse thanks to Oz Zahavi, who carries the plot on his shoulders even when it loses proportions.
And yet, he doesn't come close to the ranks of Ilanit Levy, who plays a mother to a problematic boy and provides some strong scenes with jaw-dropping acting skills.
"The Good City" is supposed to be an urban social drama, but its real strength lies in the story of the single person and the acting abilities of two actors.
Sometimes it's good to be alone.
"The Good City" - first season, HOT3 and HOT VOD Were we wrong?
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