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Everything Is Illuminated 2005

A young Jewish-American man travels to Ukraine to find the woman who saved his grandfather during World War II. His search becomes a journey of discovery, accompanied by a local guide and the guide's eccentric grandfather. As they navigate the landscape and confront the past, Jonathan uncovers family secrets and grapples with questions of identity, history, and the enduring power of human connection.

A young Jewish-American man travels to Ukraine to find the woman who saved his grandfather during World War II. His search becomes a journey of discovery, accompanied by a local guide and the guide's eccentric grandfather. As they navigate the landscape and confront the past, Jonathan uncovers family secrets and grapples with questions of identity, history, and the enduring power of human connection.

Does Everything Is Illuminated have end credit scenes?

No!

Everything Is Illuminated does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Everything Is Illuminated

Explore the complete cast of Everything Is Illuminated, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Everything Is Illuminated

See how Everything Is Illuminated is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Everything Is Illuminated stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

58

Metascore

7.5

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

65%

TOMATOMETER

review

89%

User Score

TMDB

73

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Everything Is Illuminated Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Everything Is Illuminated with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Everything Is Illuminated Quiz: Test your knowledge about the film 'Everything Is Illuminated' and its themes of memory, heritage, and friendship.

What motivates Jonathan Safran Foer to travel to Ukraine?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Everything Is Illuminated

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Read the complete plot summary of Everything Is Illuminated, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Jonathan Safran Foer, a deeply connected American Jew, embarks on an emotionally charged journey to Ukraine in pursuit of Augustine, the brave woman who saved his grandfather during the Holocaust. His quest leads him to Trachimbrod, a town lost to history due to the cruel actions of Nazi forces that devastated Eastern European Jewish communities.

To navigate this complex adventure, Jonathan hires Heritage Tours, a company based in Odesa that specializes in assisting affluent American tourists eager to discover their roots. Although the guides initially display skepticism and indifference towards Jewish heritage, it becomes evident that their reluctance arises from apathy rather than any deliberate malice. The eclectic team comprises the gruff Alexander Perchov, his enthusiastic grandson Alex, known for his impressive command of English and passion for American pop culture, alongside their spirited dog, Sammy Davis Jr. Jr. Moved by Jonathan’s poignant narrative, they decide to undertake this journey with sincere zeal.

As they traverse the lush landscapes of Volhynia and encounter a myriad of comedic escapades, Jonathan finds himself grappling with the glaring differences between his American upbringing and the rich Ukrainian history unfolding around him. Their travels eventually lead them to Lista, Augustine’s sister, who leads a secluded life amidst a field of bright sunflowers, isolated from the outside world.

Through Lista’s heart-wrenching story, Jonathan uncovers that Augustine met a tragic fate at the hands of Nazi soldiers after her father’s refusal to desecrate the Torah. Lista further guides them to the remnants of Trachimbrod, unraveling a heart-rending tale that has haunted her family for generations. Simultaneously, Alex’s grandfather’s Jewish identity gradually emerges in poignant flashbacks, leading to decisions that leave a lasting impact on those around him.

As Jonathan returns to the United States, the bittersweet memories of his emotional farewell with Alex, who has grown to be a vital part of his emotional narrative, linger in his mind. The desire to reconnect with his new friend proves irresistible, initiating a correspondence that binds their lives together despite the miles that separate them.

In a touching act of remembrance, Jonathan and Alex journey to the site where tragedy struck, collecting soil from this sacred ground. This earth, steeped in shared emotions, becomes a profound link to their pasts. As they honor their respective grandfathers, Jonathan’s gesture gains heightened meaning; he places the consecrated soil at his grandfather’s resting place, solidifying their connection.

In parallel, Alex’s grandfather receives a Jewish tombstone, symbolizing the restoration of cultural heritage and identity. This moving ceremony emphasizes the enduring power of collective memory, as Jonathan and Alex, now intertwined by their shared experiences, continue to strengthen their bond, transcending the distance that lies between them.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Everything Is Illuminated

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Everything Is Illuminated. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Everything Is Illuminated Trailer

Cars Featured in Everything Is Illuminated

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Explore all cars featured in Everything Is Illuminated, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


BMW

3 E36

Fiat

1983

Uno

GAZ

1979

66

Lada

1983

2107

Lada

1975

1500 2103

Lincoln

2003

Town Car

MAZ

6422

Moskvitch

1967

426

Praga

1953

V3S

Škoda

1973

100

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


ukrainejewishjewish americannazishtetleastern europewedding ringvegetariansunflower fieldfiring squadanti semitismjewish charactervictimlanguage barriercobbler the shoemakerpretending to be blindteenage boy wears eyeglasseseyeglasses casequirky comedyreference to mcdonald's restaurantamericanwomanyoungflowerband the musical groupchildlesbian characterhomosexual characterpet named after a famous personactor plays multiple rolesvillageold manphotographsearchplastic bagheritagetraveldogcollectorcarclaim in titlevipmelancholydreampinwheelwooden toyindependencecarnivalsoflowka ukrainekennel

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