Between the Temples
Ben Gottlieb is a Jewish cantor who’s – How shall we say this politely? – down on his luck. His accomplished author wife has been dead for about a year, and poor Ben (the affable Jason Schwartzman) can’t seem to get his life back together. He apparently hasn’t sought out grief therapy, and his mothers continue to set him up on blind dates with comically mismatched suitors. Ben is so hapless he even lays down on a dark highway one night hoping to be run over by an approaching semi.
Don’t take seriously
But since Nathan Silver’s “Between the Temples” is essentially a comedy, we’re not to take this suicide attempt particularly seriously. In fact, the truck driver picks him up and drops him off at a local watering hole, where he manages to receive a punch to the face from a drunken bar patron. Knocked to the floor, Ben is then aided by a friendly older female customer to whom Ben takes an immediate liking. She turns out to be Carla O’Connor, his elementary school music teacher, who doesn’t even remember Ben at first. She’s played by Carol Kane, in her best role since… forever.
Faith journeys
Turns out Carla (whose Catholic husband is deceased) was raised Jewish but could never have a bat mitzvah since her parents were communists. She asks Ben to teach her the tenets of Judaism and perform the ceremony. Ironically, as Carla rediscovers her faith, Ben begins his healing process – including a return to his own faith.
Similarities
Thus begins an oddball younger-man/older-woman romance reminiscent of Hal Ashby’s 1971 curiosity “Harold and Maude” – in which an aging free spirit female resuscitates a woeful young man who is also suicidal. In neither case are we to take the proceedings too seriously. In “Between the Temples,” the humor is less dark and more approachable – although neither film is a true, laugh-out-loud comedy. This one is more realistic than Ashby’s allegorical rip on the hippie generation.
Funniest scene
The funniest scene occurs when Ben visits a Catholic church in an apparent attempt to see if a different religion might provide the proverbial light switch he so desperately needs to flip. The ensuing conversation with the priest is the classic stuff Neil Simon used to write so well. However, Silver’s and C. Mason Wells’ original screenplay doesn’t knock us over the head with silliness. “Between the Temples” is lighthearted, but we are invited to invest a little in the story.
Most interesting character
Much as in “Harold and Maude,” Carla’s health continues to decline as her relationship with Ben advances. We’re not sure exactly what future this affair holds – even if she were perfectly healthy – but it’s an interesting ride. Meanwhile, Ben’s mothers (who own the temple where Ben works) finally set him up with a worthy match. Madeline Weinstein’s Gabby is the daughter of Rabbi Bruce (Robert Smigel, in a surprisingly non-comedic role), Ben’s superior at the temple. Gabby is coming off a failed relationship, and she appears to be an ideal match for Ben. Newcomer Weinstein turns in one of this year’s breakout performances.
When Ben brings Carla to a family dinner with his mothers, Rabbi Bruce, and Gabby, we expect hilarity – a la Neil Simon, or perhaps Blake Edwards, who specialized in “the big reveal” scenes – but this scene is played more earnestly, as Silver invites us to seriously contemplate Ben’s situation. If he professes his love for Carla, he may forever lose Gabby as a potential partner. But if he professes his love for Gabby, where does that leave Carla? And does he really love Gabby in the first place?
The cast
Schwartman has been a bit player for Wes Anderson for some time, but this is his best role yet. And he handles it with aplomb, giving off sort of a Jewish Steve Carrell aura. Kane could play her ditzy character in her sleep, but nobody is better suited for this role. Her baby-girl voice does get annoying about 2/3 of the way through – but, oh well.
On a side note, it’s refreshing that Ben has two mothers – as opposed to the more traditional mother and father – but the screenplay never directly addresses this point. The children of U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have two fathers, and that doesn’t matter. Neither should Ben’s two mothers. I’m glad it doesn’t.
Uplifting film
“Between the Temples” is not the year’s best, but it’s certainly an intriguing portrait of a tragic character’s rebirth and re-entry into society. It’s uplifting, particularly given the bleak subject matter. And, much as with Paul Schrader’s “First Reformed,” it’s nice to see a contemporary film treat religion seriously, and not as some running joke. Although these characters are Jewish, I was as enthralled with “Between the Temples” as anyone at my showing, and I’m Protestant. Go see this one. You’ll be glad you did.
Andy Ray‘s reviews also appear on https://townepost.com/