by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Faith can be such a tricky thing, can’t it? Many films explore this loaded theme, as it is the foundation of so many people’s worldview, and shapes their whole entire belief system. But life is tough — it can put us through struggles that will test faith in different ways. Director and co-writer Nathan Silver tackles the shattering of faith (and the will to live in general) in his new comedy, Between the Temples. When the cantor at a New York state synagogue, Ben (Jason Schwartzman), loses his wife, he loses his motivation to sing and live as well. But to his bat mitzvah class, fate brings him Carla (Carol Kane), Ben’s former music teacher who made a drastic impact on his life.
How does the story play out from Silver and C. Mason Wells’ script? It’s the film’s most imperfect part, as there are some elements that are a bit scattered and underserved, as well as those that are a little too melodramatic. But that does not take away from the fact that Between the Temples tells a compelling tale of this cantor trying to find his voice again and open his heart back up to faith and love. There is an interesting dynamic between Ben and Carla — their feelings and connection are brought to the forefront in one of the most uncomfortable dinner scenes I have ever seen. But Ben is such an interesting and adaptive character who makes for an empathetic protagonist. He is awkward and has been through a lot. Seeing him cracking up the rabbi he works for (Robert Smigel), and both his mothers (Dolly De Leon and Caroline Aaron) is frustrating and challenging for both Ben and the audience. Gabby (Madeline Weinstein), a new suitor who has a lot in common with Ben, makes things more complicated as Ben tries to navigate his growing feelings for Carla. There is plenty of drama for the audience to sink their teeth into.
But how does Silver tell this story? There are some impressive elements in Between the Temples from a filmmaking perspective. Even though it is a small scale and intimate dramedy, Silver still makes dynamic cinematic choices. First off, the visuals are all vintage in appearance, as the cinematography is worked to look like old school film thanks to Sean Price Williams’ cinematography. He is pulling some overtime making this comedy look so classic. There are some interesting elements to the film’s visual storytelling, including some sped-up sequences for added effect (there is one sequence with some “special” tea that allows for standout, creative visual filmmaking). Silver also goes for a more intimate approach to this material, and the use of the camera is an essential element to achieving that. There are plenty of moments where the camera is uncomfortably zoomed in on body parts so the audience can see the micro physical reactions that these characters make (voluntarily or not). That puts a lot on the actors to deliver, but it works fantastically. Throw in some men singing Hebrew on the soundtrack and you have quite the atmosphere.
Who is the heart and soul of Between the Temples? This fantastic cast. Jason Schwartzman is doing some of his best work with the likes of Fargo and Asteroid City. Schwartzman brings Ben to life with such empathy and an idiosyncratic presence. Ben has been through plenty of trauma, and you can feel it lurking underneath the surface through Schwartzman’s performance. There are moments of intensity and some natural humor through Schwartzman’s unique personality. Kane is a revelation as Carla. There is just so much that she does with her body, facials, and voice to bring so much personality to this character. Their chemistry together is pitch perfect in all the facets of their evolving dynamic. De Leon is great as Ben’s rigid and overly pushy mother, who walks that line between antagonist and supporting character. Aaron is the perfect Jewish mother character, and has great chemistry with Schwartzman. A good amount of praise should go to Weinstein, who does so much as the potential suitor of Ben. There is one scene full of sexual tension that Weinstein delivers a great deal within the set up of the scene. And if you are looking for some consistent laughs, Smigel is effortlessly hilarious with his dry wit and character work as Ben’s Rabbi.
Is Between the Temples one of the great indie gems of 2024 so far? The faith-based comedy delivers in so many ways and it is endlessly likable. The looseness to the script is only a fleeting issue, because the audience is drawn in with great character connections. Funny, emotional, and moving, Between the Temples is an unexpectedly artful film that, and of the most engaging experiences on the big screen this year.
Rating: Loved It
Between the Temples is currently playing in theaters
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