The Chosen (1982) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The story takes place in Williamsburg, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City. In the 1940s, this was a vibrant hub for Jewish immigrants who preserved their traditions while adapting to American life.

• williamsburg
• brooklyn
• new york
• jewish neighborhood
• setting

The movie is set during the 1940s, spanning from 1944 to 1950. This period encompasses World War II and its aftermath, including the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, which significantly influenced Jewish identity and diaspora.

• 1940s
• world war 2
• 1948
• post-war
• time period

Friendship is central to the narrative, depicting the deep bond between Reuven and Danny despite their differing backgrounds and familial pressures. Their friendship evolves from initial rivalry into a source of mutual strength as they support each other through personal struggles and societal expectations.

• friendship
• reuven
• danny
• relationship
• bond

The film explores identity and self-discovery through Danny's conflict between his Hasidic upbringing and his desire to pursue a career in psychology. Both characters confront personal struggles with cultural expectations and familial duties, ultimately shaping their paths toward self-acceptance.

• identity
• self-discovery
• hasidic
• psychology
• culture

Silence emerges as a poignant theme representing emotional trauma and the complexities of communication between fathers and sons. Danny's upbringing in silence is vital to his character development, revealing layers of pain that ultimately lead to deeper understanding and empathy.

• silence
• trauma
• father
• communication
• pain

Reuven 'Robert' Malter is a smart and resilient 15-year-old who navigates the challenges of friendship and family while coping with the loss of his mother. He embodies a Modern Orthodox perspective and wrestles with expectations placed upon him by his father and society.

• reuven
• robert
• malter
• modern orthodox
• main character

Daniel 'Danny' Saunders is a complex character caught between his aspirations and familial obligations. Despite being a promising scholar with a photographic memory, he struggles with the restrictions of his Hasidic upbringing and yearns to pursue a life of his own choosing, particularly in psychology.

• danny
• saunders
• hasidic
• photographic memory
• psychology

The film explores three primary themes: friendship between Reuven and Danny spanning their different backgrounds; identity and self-discovery as both characters grapple with cultural and familial expectations; and silence representing emotional trauma and the complex communication between fathers and sons.

• themes
• drama
• jewish
• identity
• friendship

Reuven comes from a Modern Orthodox family, while Danny is raised in a Hasidic community. These differing backgrounds create both conflict and understanding between them, as they each navigate the expectations of their respective traditions while forming their unlikely friendship.

• hasidic
• orthodox
• jewish
• religion
• tradition

The film has a bittersweet tone, balancing serious themes like loss, anti-Semitism, and familial pressure with an intimate, hopeful friendship that perseveres through hardship. While subjects like the Holocaust and parental illness are present, the story ultimately ends on a hopeful note tinged with melancholy.

• bittersweet
• emotional
• hopeful
• drama
• tone