There’s a motive “Harold and Maude” is each a cult basic and darn close to unimaginable to remake.
The Might-December template is difficult in trendy instances. Swap the genders and also you’re supporting The PatriarchyTM.
“Between the Temples” proves it may be carried out in any case. You simply want an ideal forged, droll dialogue and insights into the human situation that just about all the time ring true.
Jason Schwartzman stars as “Cantor Ben,” a 40-something widower mourning the dying of his spouse. He’s a large number, and he can’t discover escape in both work or his dad and mom’ makes an attempt to search out him a brand new love.
He’s additionally misplaced his voice, an occupational hazard giving his synagogue chores.
Ben has a meet-cute second with Carla (Carol Kane), a music instructor from his childhood. Carla’s coronary heart is three sizes too large, and Ben finds consolation in her antiquated layers.
Plus, she all of a sudden desires to have a Bat Mitzvah. Higher late than by no means.
Is there one thing extra occurring right here? Or is “Between the Temples” a wry exploration of grief and love?
We gained’t spoil the primary query, however the second earns a definitive, “sure.”
Director/co-writer Nathan Silver (“Thirst Road”) throws a number of “wacky” conceits our manner however grounds them with keenly noticed characters.
Sure, Ben’s the son of a hip lesbian couple, however his mothers react to his emotional chaos with real feeling. Positive, his relationship foibles may very well be air-lifted from a Judd Apatow comedy, however Schwartzman’s dry line readings make the humor pop.
The movie presents not one however two nice sequences. One includes Carla’s unctuous grownup son, and the distinction between him and Ben couldn’t be extra stark. The opposite is a dinner alternate the place Silver’s jittery digital camera work and droll dialogue work in live performance.
Kane has by no means been higher, which is saying one thing. Schwartzman’s function is extra intricate at instances. He’s withdrawn and somber, however the actor lets simply sufficient mild into his eyes to make us root for an emotional comeback.
Jason Schwartzman’s function as Ben Gottlieb in Between the Temples was written for him. #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/mShb4HOYQU
— The Tonight Present (@FallonTonight) August 22, 2024
“Between the Temples” helps the duo with wonderful comedian enhances. Robert Smigel (AKA Triumph the Insult Comedian Canine) is Cantor Ben’s exasperated Rabbi. Madeline Weinstein performs Ben’s potential love curiosity, a task that may very well be marked as “throwaway” however the actress gained’t take the bait.
Silver and co. mine wealthy humor from Jewish tradition with out being disrespectful or glib. Schwartzman and Kane do the remainder, making a plausible bond solid by ache and loneliness.
What a cute couple by any commonplace (or decade).
HiT or Miss: “Between the Temples” is humorous and self-aware, a finely tuned dramedy that by no means stops delivering insights.
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