Hester Street
1975 · Movie · PG · 90 min · ★ 6.2 · 77% critics
In late-19th-century New York, a Jewish immigrant who has eagerly embraced American life is unsettled when his wife and child finally join him from abroad. Their reunion turns into a quietly tense story about assimilation, tradition, marriage, and the hard choices that come with starting over.
Where to watch
Watch free on Kanopy and Fawesome — also streaming on The Criterion Channel and Cohen Media Channel.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1975
- Release date
- 1975-10-19
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Critic score
- 77/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.2/10 (36 votes)
About
You may like this if you enjoy intimate historical dramas about identity, family, and starting over, especially if Crossing Delancey or The Age of Innocence appeal to you; Not for you if you want fast pacing or high-stakes thrills.
Pros: poignant immigrant story; strong central performances; thoughtful cultural detail | Cons: slow pacing; low-key drama; limited excitement
Themes
- manhattan, new york city
- woman director
- russian emigre
- 19th century
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Actress · 1976 · nominated
Cast & crew
Steven Keats
as Jake
Carol Kane
as Gitl
- MH
Mel Howard
as Bernstein
- DK
Dorrie Kavanaugh
as Mamie
Doris Roberts
as Mrs. Kavarsky
Stephen Strimpell
as Joe Peltner
- LF
Lauren Friedman
as Fanny
- PF
Paul Freedman
as Joey
Martin Garner
as Boss
- LL
Leib Lensky
as Peddler
Directed by Joan Micklin Silver