Two young children survive the death camps during the Holocaust because their mentor Jakob protects them. Years later the three are brought together at the serene ranch of Melanie, where old wounds are opened and painful memories tear at their hearts. Their elder mentor Jakob again gives guidance to Melanie and Christopher, who are trying to escape memories of while revisiting the life-long bond they have formed from the Holocaust.

Emotional Arithmetic (aka Autumn Hearts: A New Beginning) begins with the narrator asking “If you ask me if I believe in God, I am forced to answer does God believe in us?” This is a character study and a fine one at that, as you follow Sarandon, Byrne, Plummer and von Sydow in the intricate study of their characters. The strong ensemble of actors are superb together, forming believable relationships you are drawn into. Roy Dupuis is also excellent as Sarandon and Plummer’s ever supportive son. The cinematography in this film is brilliant, the camera takes every advantage of the Canadian outdoor setting. The beauty and serenity of the outdoors is stunning and a fascinating juxtaposition to the inner tumult of the characters inner lives. The Holocaust sequences are filmed in black and white and a very effective choice against the brilliant autumn leaves of the ranch setting. The direction and screenplay are solid and the story interesting, sometimes painful to watch. The pace of this movie seems perfect to me, while others may find it low key.

Emotional Arithmetic may not be to everyone’s taste since the action of the story is subdued. If you love great acting, I think you’ll enjoy this film.

2008. Directed by Paolo Barzman. Starring Susan Sarandon, Gabriel Byrne, Christopher Plummer, Max von Sydow, Roy Dupuis, Kristen Holden-Ried, Regan Jewitt, Alexandre Nachi, and Dakota Goyo.

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