The Miami Jewish Film Festival is known for the diversity of its offerings. Those of us interested in romance and uplifting stories got to enjoy the South Florida Premier of German director Marcus H Rosenmüller’s The Keeper, a passionate biopic about Bert Trautmann (played by David Kross, Steven Spielberg’s War Horse), a German prisoner of war turned Manchester City football star and a symbol for peace and reconciliation in the 1950’s.
Fading in on a dim forest landscape, we find a uniformed Trautmann in midst of battle for Germany, and though this is not the usual setting for this film, it sets the tone and point for reflection for what unfolds post war. One lucky day at a prison camp, Trautmann is discovered for his strong goalie skills, which leads him to play for a small local team where he gets a second chance at a purpose, and a shot at love. 
At 119 minutes, the movie flows in comfortable timing, allowing for ample opportunity to digest each arc of the astonishing true story. As Trautmann begins his career at Manchester City, there is turmoil within the city because of his past. Through a persistent and moving narrative we see his journey to overcome his past and do something for his future. The dialogue leaves little to be desired in way of painless comprehension, creating an effortless experience with hardly anything left unsaid, nonetheless leaving almost no need for interpretation. I was expecting to hate The Keeper, and although it is as cheesy as it sounds, it’s a warm and yummy manchego, and I adored it.
Emily Rivero is a junior at Florida International University studying Creative Writing and Film Studies. She is an aspiring screenwriter who subscribes to too many streaming services and wishes Netflix would stop asking if she’s “still watching.”