Avalon

from the oscar -winning director of good morning, vietnam (1988) and rain man (1988) comes avalon, barry levinson's critically-acclaimed, semi-autobiographical masterpiece. intensely personal and yet universally appealing, avalon follows immigrant sam krichinsky and his extended family as they seek a dream called america in a place called avalon. from poverty through prosperity, the krichinsky family faces a changing world with enduring humor and abiding love. whether squabbling over thanksgiving turkey or commiserating over a failed business, levinson never fails to find the comedy and immediacy of their immigrant experience. a superb cast led by armin mueller-staht, aiden quinn and elizabeth perkins perfectly captures the vibrant love and laughter of this quintessentially american family. the coming-of-age story of an entire nation, avalon is a "tapestry of american life so rich and perfect it could hang in a museum". (rex reed)