I’m not Jewish and I didn’t grow up around a Jewish community. About all I know I’ve learned in movies… and this movie does show and tell better than almost any one of those films. So credit due to (presumed) accuracy and dedication to the faith. If there were points for accuracy, this movie would probably win.

It star Jason Schwartzman as a man whose life is falling apart and who might be losing his faith too. One day while mudsliding his cares away in a bar, he meets an older lady (Carol Kane) who helps him out. It turns out she’s a lapsed Jew who never had a bat mitzvah so he decides to help her out.

Schwatzman is hang-dog supreme in a very morose role that lets him wallow in his awkward, sad grief. I’m not sure he goes anywhere but if you are in for some mourn-porn, he’s got it covered. Carol Kane kind of plays a Carol Kane quirky role and she’s a lot of fun, in her usual Carol Kane way. Both of these actors are doing great, but they aren’t doing anything revolutionary.

The director never found a tripod that made him happy. Between the hazy, drunken floating camera and the gritty old school visuals, they were definitely going for low budget grunge. But I’m not sure why. Maybe invest in a better visual eye since I found it distracting.

I laughed a few times though I got the sense maybe I’d laugh more at the inside religious jokes. Or not. Maybe it’s just a little too low-key for my comedic tastes. I did cringe on command though as the cringe comedy is sometimes quite strong.

As far as the depiction of the Jewish faith goes, I was into it. This film felt like a mensch… like a real down-to-earth depiction of how the religion operates in a deeper way than I’m used to. Assuming it’s all accurate, of course. I’m no expert, clearly… but it felt right.

I wasn’t sure what the end thesis of the movie ultimately was… though I saw it coming. Probably something others will get more out of. I was casually engaged with most of the film but kind of lost focus in the final act. A good film hampered, perhaps, by its technical choices and thematic choices (or maybe just me).

Score: 74