Avalon
A Polish-Jewish family’s American dream unfolds across generations as tradition, memory, and assimilation reshape their sense of home.
Overview
A poignant tale of hope and resilience as a family seeks a new life in America.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- nostalgic
- wistful
- warm
- quiet weekend
- family movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a richly observed, heartfelt immigrant family saga, with its nostalgia and ensemble performances outweighing its conventional sentimentality.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Krichinsky family builds a life in the United States while later generations increasingly adopt different customs and ambitions.
The family saga is shaped by nostalgia and semi-autobiographical recollection across changing generations.
The plot foregrounds a rabbi, synagogue life, bar mitzvah traditions, and Polish-Jewish family continuity.
Family meals, celebrations, and household interactions evoke a lovingly remembered immigrant past.
Films like Avalon, and why
The Joy Luck Club
multi-generational immigrant family drama shaped by memory, assimilation, and changing social customs
Radio Days
nostalgic autobiographical family drama centered on Jewish identity and generational tension
The Namesake
warm, bittersweet immigrant saga balancing cultural tradition with American modernization
Brooklyn
ensemble family drama about heritage, memory, and the pressures of assimilation
Movie Details
- Director
- Barry Levinson
- Release Date
- 1990-10-05
- Runtime
- 126 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (94)
Cast
- Armin Mueller-Stahl
- Aidan Quinn
- Elizabeth Perkins
- Joan Plowright
- Leo Fuchs
- Lou Jacobi
- Eve Gordon
- Kevin Pollak
- Israel Rubinek
- Elijah Wood
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Avalon about?
- A Polish-Jewish family’s American dream unfolds across generations as tradition, memory, and assimilation reshape their sense of home.
- What is Avalon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Avalon as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Avalon violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Avalon.
- What did critics think of Avalon?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a richly observed, heartfelt immigrant family saga, with its nostalgia and ensemble performances outweighing its conventional sentimentality.
- Which films are like Avalon?
- Films with a similar feel include The Joy Luck Club, Radio Days, The Namesake, and Brooklyn.
- How long is Avalon?
- Avalon runs 126 minutes.
- Where can I watch Avalon?
- In United States, Avalon is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
