Treasure Movie Review : This holocaust drama is well-intentioned but disappointing

Story: Ruth, an American journalist, takes her father Edek, a Holocaust survivor, back to Poland to revisit his childhood. Fearing his past trauma, Edek deliberately creates obstacles to sabotage the trip.

Review: ‘Treasure’ is well-meaning but suffers from a sluggish pace, a muddled plot, and weak chemistry between its lead actors, draining much of its enjoyment. The film explores intergenerational themes and the emotional shields people build to protect themselves. Set against a serious backdrop—the Holocaust—it features forced dialogues and spends too much time explaining the context and the outcome is a disappointing drama.

Based on a true story, ‘Treasure’ follows Ruth (Lena Dunham), a recently divorced American journalist, who takes her eccentric father Edek (Stephen Fry), a Holocaust survivor, to Poland. Ruth’s goal is to help her father relive his childhood and learn about her family history. Their stay in hotels involves frequent bickering over minor issues, yet it helps them understand each other better. Edek, however, tries to sabotage the trip with unnecessary antics. Ruth aims to visit her ancestral home, and the journey ultimately leads them to Auschwitz.

The film suffers from predictability, with most scenes leading to foreseeable outcomes during the father-daughter confrontations. While Director Julia von Heinz’s intentions are clear, her vision doesn’t align with the script she co-wrote with her husband. The connection between the two feels lacking. Despite the presence of talented actors, like Lena Dunham and Stephan Fry, they appear uncomfortable in their roles.

The film has a few standout moments, but they are few and far between. The most impactful scene is the visit to Auschwitz, where Edek was imprisoned, and then there is another touching moment when the father and daughter discover that the poor family living in their ancestral home still uses Edek's family's fine china silver bowl. While Stephen Fry and Lena Dunham deliver strong performances individually, their scenes together lack chemistry. The attempt to inject comedy into such a serious subject feels misplaced. As a story that combines a Holocaust theme, a road trip, and reconciliation, the film struggles to balance these elements, affecting its overall impact.