There's a fine line between light and dark in Liev Schreiber's adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's best-selling novel Everything Is Illuminated. Wacky humour turns to sober contemplation as a Jewish New Yorker (Elijah Wood) traces his roots to the site of a Nazi massacre in the Ukraine. It's an ambitious directorial debut for the former Manchurian Candidate who negotiates the angles with tender sincerity (as opposed to self-conscious gravitas) although he never quite achieves the transcendency promised by the title.

Wood has an easy job serving as foil to charismatic newcomer Eugene Hutz playing Alex, Jonathan's guide to the Ukraine. In his polyester tracksuit and gold chains, he's like the Eastern European Del Boy, spouting hilariously off-kilter, phrasebook English. "Did you repose?" he asks a nonplussed Jonathan, after hours spent bouncing in the back of a clapped out car. Meanwhile, in the driver's seat is Boris Leskin as Alex's supposedly blind grandfather. He takes the story into more wistful territory and ultimately provides the heart.

"IN TURNS, SAD, SWEET AND FUNNY"

As both writer and director, Schreiber's most difficult task comes at this halfway point when he switches gears from comedy to drama. It's a smooth transition thanks to his affectionate portrayal of the characters. However, as the action rolls towards a grand revelation, it becomes slightly disorientating. Flashing back and forth without a firm grip on proceedings undercuts what should be a profoundly moving finale. Instead we're left with a story that is in turns sad, sweet and funny, but that's still enough to qualify this as a glowing tribute to humanity.