Nathan Silver’s latest film, Between the Temples, offers a refreshingly unconventional take on grief and renewal with its screwball charm. Starring Jason Schwartzman as a cantor grappling with the loss of his wife and Carol Kane as an eccentric elderly woman seeking her bat mitzvah, the film weaves a narrative that is as unpredictable as it is touching.
In this quirky comedy, Schwartzman plays Ben Gottlieb, a cantor who has lost his singing voice and perhaps his faith following his wife’s tragic accident. Living with his overbearing mother, Meira (Caroline Aaron), and her equally meddlesome wife, Judith (Dolly de Leon), Ben is thrust into a world of awkward encounters and deep personal struggle. The film opens with Ben’s humorous misunderstanding of a date set up by his mother, which sets the tone for the rest of the story.
Ben’s life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Carla (Carol Kane), a former music teacher who now wants to celebrate a bat mitzvah despite her advanced age. Their initial meeting occurs after a series of events that see Ben fighting his grief at a bar and Carla rescuing him post-performance. Their chemistry is immediate and fraught with comedic and emotional tension.
Carla’s desire for a bat mitzvah is initially met with skepticism by Ben, but the two bond over their shared sense of loss and bizarre sense of humor. The film explores their unique connection through a series of memorable scenes, including one where they share burgers that Ben realizes are not kosher, filmed in intimate close-ups that highlight their growing camaraderie.
The film’s aesthetic, characterized by its erratic 16mm filming and improvisational style by cinematographer Sean Price Williams, mirrors the story’s chaotic charm. Silver’s direction and the script co-written with C. Mason Wells infuse the film with surreal moments and comedic high points, including a scene at a steakhouse with hilariously oversized menus that pay homage to filmmakers like Elaine May.
One of the standout features of Between the Temples is the vibrant dynamic between Schwartzman and Kane. Their dialogue and interactions bring a unique rhythm to the film, with Kane’s endearing quirks and Schwartzman’s understated performance creating a memorable on-screen duo. As Carla puts it, “Music is the sound that you make,” a sentiment that beautifully encapsulates the film’s exploration of personal rediscovery through unconventional means.
Between the Temples is a Sony Pictures Classics release, rated R by the Motion Picture Association for language and some sexual references. With a running time of 111 minutes, the film earns three and a half stars out of four for its imaginative storytelling and captivating performances.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
