Hannah Stern (Kirsten Dunst) is a modern teen without much care for her Jewish ancestry. She's not that interested in the family Passover seder. Her aunt Eva (Louise Fletcher) knows that she could never understand. She goes back in time to 1941 Poland. She wakes up as Chaya who has been ill. She had traveled to attend her uncle's wedding. Her cousin Rivkah (Brittany Murphy) has been taking care of her. On the wedding day, the Nazis arrive to take everybody away. They struggle and work to build the prison camp. Ultimately Chaya takes Rivkah's place to the gas chamber. She wakes up to understand that Rivkah is her aunt Eva.
The Holocaust has been done in many ways. I certainly understand the sincerity of this attempt. It's trying to connect young people with the past. I don't think this is done with well enough. Kirsten Dunst is a solid young actress but she doesn't have enough innocence. She should be shocked and bewildered. Also there is nothing new in the concentration camp. This is not a bad attempt. The idea has potential. Louise Fletcher is great but this doesn't quite make it.
The Holocaust has been done in many ways. I certainly understand the sincerity of this attempt. It's trying to connect young people with the past. I don't think this is done with well enough. Kirsten Dunst is a solid young actress but she doesn't have enough innocence. She should be shocked and bewildered. Also there is nothing new in the concentration camp. This is not a bad attempt. The idea has potential. Louise Fletcher is great but this doesn't quite make it.