Between the Temples Movie Review

“Between the Temples” is an incredibly awkward film… but in a good way. ​

The main character is Ben Gottlieb, played magnificently by Jason Schwartzman from “Rushmore” and “Asteroid City.” Ben is a cantor in his synagogue. A cantor is a member of the clergy who leads a Jewish congregation in prayer and song with his strong vocals. He has recently returned from quite a long sabbatical… mentally.

Schwartzman has worked a lot with Wes Anderson. Anderson’s screenplays set a particularly quirky tone, and he needs extraordinary actors to bring his characters to life. Schwartzman has been essential to Anderson’s success. Temples feels as if Anderson had his fingers in it, as Ben Gottlieb is very similar to the eccentric personalities he creates himself. So, if you like Wes Anderson films, the movie is for you.

Ben has two mothers, Meira (Caroline Aaron) and Judith (Dolly De Leon), whom he lives with and is very close to. They’re always trying to set him up with young women, possibly because they hope for grandchildren, but Ben is depressed after the loss of his wife and not particularly interested in life. After a scene where he tries to get a truck to run him over, he bumps into Carla, someone he once knew. She was Ben’s music teacher when he was a kid. This being the case, she had a significant impact on his life. Carla, played by the fabulous actor Carol Kane, most recently known as Lillian Kaushtupper from the TV series, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” is much older than Ben. Still, they get along splendidly and enjoy one another’s company.

Due to the age difference, there were many uncomfortable moments, but those scenes made this movie so delicious… life isn’t perfect or scripted. It’s messy, and director Nathan Silver did an exceptional job at shoving those facts in our faces so we couldn’t look away. I did notice that an age difference isn’t considered when the roles are reversed. Anyway, rather rapidly, the pair become close. She tells him that she wants the bat mitzvah she never had when she was thirteen and, as part of his job at the church, he agrees to perform it for her. This process is supposed to take about a year due to study, and during this year, he gets to work with an adult instead of children for a change. Maybe he needs this?

As I mentioned, they are getting thick as thieves. Rapidly, an uncommon relationship in film arises where a young man is interested in an older woman (think “Harold and Maude”). Surprise, he has two mothers and no man in his life outside of his Rabbi. What did you expect? It is abnormal but this relationships creation made a substantial narrative for this film.

I must say that the theater is where you should see this movie, so you don’t hit pause with the remote and possibly lose a moment of dialogue. You wouldn’t want to, based simply on Silver’s unusual shooting style, where he uses an uneasy and unnecessarily large number of tight shots. Halfway through the film, you get why these shots are applied. It’s to put you there and to keep outside thoughts out. It certainly works! So does the stellar acting by this cast. Both things keep you concentrating on the bizarre storyline as it unfolds.

Ben’s mothers still introduce Ben to women, believing it helpful. Judith is more pushy, while Meira just roots for love. The newest one is Gabby (Madeline Weinstein), the daughter of his Rabbi. She’s a sexual whirlwind he wasn’t expecting or asking for. Her father, Rabbi Bruce, played by Robert Smigel, an SNL producer and creator of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, if that gives you any idea of what his character may be like, wants this relationship to work, as well. An unpleasant dinner scene is so painful for Ben and fascinating for Silver’s audience that you could have heard a pin drop in the theater. “Is this really happening on screen before me?!” was repeating on a loop in my head.

It’s great to see Ben spring back after such a long absence from life. He walked around nearly comatose at times; he was so withdrawn. Not being able to sing at dinner in front of his guests, his voice is powerful, but he uses it to profess his love to Carla, who may not want to receive as much as he desires to give. Now accused of grooming children by those at the table, Carla runs from the situation. Meira roots for him to get her.

What happens in the end might be for you to decide, but the big decision here is whether you will like it. I think I can say, “Yes.” I can’t imagine not being in love with the humor, the unconventional dialogue, the warmth, Ben and Carla, and the production itself. In fact, I can’t wait to see it again. I’m hoping to catch something I missed with a second viewing. So, I advise you not to forget “Between the Temples” the next time you’re looking for a movie to watch. It’s a wonder waiting to be discovered by you. You can’t skip the chaotic, complex, entertainingly amusing storyline playing out here. So, use what’s between your temples and watch asap!!