Good concept, poorly executed.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

I think I'm with a number of other reviewers here in doubting the veracity of this supposedly true story.All the way through it, I found myself thinking "that could happen - yeah right!!" and I was frankly extremely surprised at the end to discover that this movie is supposedly based on Solomon Perel's real life adventures during WWII. And I say adventures I think advisedly because of the actual unlikelihood that what is portrayed on screen had much at all to do with the reality of his situation at that time.I wanted to like "Europa Europa" as much as I liked "Olivier Olivier" and "The Secret Garden The Secret Garden" and more recently "In Darkness In Darkness" but I'm afraid that the improbably of the many situations portrayed here just detracted greatly from the experience for me.It also needs to be said I think that the apparently small budget spent on production of this movie (small compared to Hollywood admittedly) showed at times with sometimes less than convincing battle scenes in particular.It's not a bad movie by any means; just disappointing. In closing this review, I will say that I watched the DVD for the first time just last night, noticing as I opened the cellophane wrapper that I have had it in my collection for a very very long time, probably 20 years. Regrettably, for the DVD at least, it's not a movie I'll be watching again any time soon.JMV

This is really a coming of age story about a boy discovering himself. Although it is based on a true story I felt that parts of the film must have been slightly exaggerated. For example there's a part in the film where Stalins son is captured by the Germans unknowingly and it is due to the boys bilingual skills that this is discovered. Following this they all pose for photos together all of which seems highly unlikely. I thought it was mostly well acted although at times a bit over done. The boy was particularly good as it would have been quite a challenging role. The storyline was well thought out and portrayed in way that kept it interesting. I'd recommend it to anyone interested In watching a movie about World War Two from a perspective not often portrayed in film.

And Shoah, limits, courage and fear. A travel without end. A fight and a testimony. Sparkls of love and pieces of a world. And the life as essential gift. It is story of a Jew. And lesson about small things who must be the essence. But the view is more large. Like a book with illustrations - bones of words. The reality of young Salomon is present in any age. The masks and the shadows, the good people and the territories in same color. So, more than a description of a miracle with many faces, the film is praise of sense, in gloomy time, of every day. It is not The Pianist or Schindler List. Only exercise of feelings and searches, of terror and hope, it is way of a silhouette to his real identity.

Life is the most beautiful thing on Earth. The movie center's a story of a Jew boy and his survival in WW-II. Told beautifully (Considering it a true story), well acted, fine cinematography makes Europa, Europa (1990) a very genuine ,touching and beautiful war drama.The movie looks authentic and there's no content to really criticize on. I kept thinking of "Schindler's List" during the movie but in my honest opinion, I found this a better movie. (Schindler's List was fine too) It was different because the movie was a true story and it was emphasizing on survival instead of war action and provoking sympathy for Victims.P.S. Its a very fine War Drama. 9/10.