\u2013 CR<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
A murder mystery<\/b><\/p>\n Family secrets are the theme in Highway 65<\/i>, in which a demoted Tel Aviv detective finds herself doing slashed tire and lost phone investigations in the hick town of Afula.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Daphna (Tali Sharon), the downgraded cop, is a shlubby Columbo with appalling table manners but proficiency at her job. The lost phone \u2013 a seemingly innocuous investigation \u2013 leads to something much larger. The phone\u2019s owner, Orly, has been missing for a week and no one has reported her absence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a small town where everyone knows everybody\u2019s business and outsider Daphna finds herself in the midst of a perversely convoluted family drama, crossing personal and professional boundaries with nonchalance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The family is marking the 10th yahrzeit of the missing woman\u2019s husband and Daphna\u2019s investigation puts a serious crimp in the commemoration. The family has an ominous mafia feel to it and the film jolts the viewer with an instant of truly shocking violence that illuminates the narrative and ultimately fingers the culprit.<\/p>\n Fans of quality Israeli TV will recognize Sharon from her role as Hodaya in Srugim<\/i>, about Orthodox singles in Jerusalem. The male lead, Matan, is played by Idan Amedi, a singer-songwriter and actor known for playing Sagi Tzur in Fauda<\/i>. Amedi was seriously injured during reserve duty in January 2024, when six fellow soldiers were killed in Gaza.<\/p>\n \u2013 PJ<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Relentlessly talented<\/b><\/p>\n Everyone knows a song that was written by American songwriter Diane Warren \u2013 everyone. For more than 40 years, she has been writing hits in multiple genres. From \u201cRhythm of the Night,\u201d performed by the band DeBarge; to \u201cWhen I See You Smile,\u201d for Bad English; to \u201cI Don\u2019t Want to Miss a Thing,\u201d sung by Aerosmith; to multiple songs performed by Beyonc\u00e9, Michael Bolton, Cher, Celine Dionne, Meat Loaf, Whitney Houston and so many others. Her writing has earned her a long list of awards and 16 Academy Award nominations \u2013 while she has yet to win an Oscar for a particular song, she was recognized with an honorary Oscar in 2022 for her achievements.<\/p>\n The documentary Diane Warren: Relentless<\/i>, directed by Bess Kargman, introduces audiences to the seemingly chaotic genius of Warren, who was born in Van Nuys, Calif., into a middle-class Jewish family. The third daughter of David and Flora Warren, she is much younger than her sisters and knew, from a young age, that\u00a0<\/span>music \u2013 rather than something more conventional \u2013 was the path she wanted to follow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Her parents struggled with how to parent Warren. Her dad was supportive of her music dream, at least, but her relationship with her mother was troubled till the end. Warren grew up feeling an outsider both at home and at school. It is not clear when she was diagnosed, but having Asperger\u2019s syndrome contributes to both Warren\u2019s genius and her struggles. She also shares that she was molested as a child, in the context of having written \u201cTill It Happens to You,\u201d which Warren wanted Lady Gaga, also a survivor of sexual assault, to sing.<\/p>\n A lot of Warren\u2019s collaborators lend their views to this documentary, and their respect for Warren is clear, even when there are hurt feelings. For example, she gave both LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood the song \u201cHow Do I Live,\u201d but both versions ended up being a hit.<\/p>\n A master of romantic songs, Warren has no romantic partner, only a love for creating music \u2013 something she is driven to do and will continue to do as long as she is able.<\/p>\n Relentless<\/i> is a fascinating look at a fascinating person.<\/p>\n \u2013 CR<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/apr-25-cov.25.VJFF-Highway-65.jpg\")
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