Review: In 'Aliyah,' a drug dealer hopes for a better life in Israel

Elie Wajeman evokes the existential character studies of the '70s in his tense, smartly crafted drama.The excellent, atmospheric drama "Aliyah," which follows a brief transitional period in the life of a French-Jewish drug dealer, evokes such fine, existential 1970s character studies as "Five Easy Pieces" and, especially, Karel Reisz's "The Gambler." It's the kind of serious, thoughtful, yet accessible portrait we see all too little of these days.