Peneflix MOVIE REVIEWS BY PENEFLIX
You don’t have to be Jewish to appreciate this enchanting slice of life that owns no bias, parameters, visiting at whim all peoples regardless of sect, gender, creed; refreshing tale of disparate souls, connecting at the appropriate moment in their varied existence. “Between the Temples” is a poignant relief from the ubiquity of the “horror”, “Marvel” genres, monopolizing, overwhelming movie malls today.
Director Nathan Silver, paired with the inimitable actors Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane take us into the contemporary world of confusion, career defining goals, spousal loss, questioning the rigidity, sensibilities, exclusiveness of one’s faith. “Ben Gottlieb” (Schwartzman) a widowed Cantor, living with his mother and stepmother (Caroline Aaron, Dolly De Leon are remarkable) meets, in a bar, his former music teacher “Carla Kessler” (Kane) who decides that under his tutelage to prepare for a bat mitzvah. An unlikely, but innovative coupling that gifts hilarious stereotypical insights into Jewish lore; the age old controversy of what constitutes a “Jew”, a religion or a race? The Nuremberg Race Laws of 1935, stripping Jews and others of citizenship; shadowy, unbaptized outliers, threating the status quo. There is a reverential scene between Ben and a Catholic priest that beautifully fuses the two faiths.
“Between the Temples” is a simple harmonious testament to the unchartered, unscripted power of the heart to choose whom to love regardless of age, gender, circumstances.
FOUR STARS!!!!
Peneflix
