The Chosen

The Chosen (1981) is set in 1940s New York and follows the story of two Jewish teenage boys, Reuven Malter (Barry Miller) and Danny Saunders (Robby Benson), as they navigate their friendship despite deep differences between their families. The film explores themes of Jewish culture, father-son relationships, and the complexities of identity in the face of World War II's devastating impact on European Jews. As the boys attend Hirsch College together, they grapple with issues of faith, family tradition, and personal conviction, ultimately learning to reconcile their differences and find a sense of belonging within themselves and with each other.